CGG HOLDING (U.S.) INC. AND THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 20231 INDENTURE Dated as of [●], 20182 THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH as Trustee THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH as Collateral Agent THE...
Exhibit T3C
CGG HOLDING (U.S.) INC.
AND
THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO
First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 20231
Dated as of [●], 20182
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH
as Trustee
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH
as Collateral Agent
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
as U.S. Collateral Agent
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH
as International Security Agent
1 | First Lien Senior Secured Notes to mature on the fifth anniversary of the Issue Date. |
2 | Expected to be on or about the Restructuring Effective Date. |
CROSS REFERENCE TABLE
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Section |
|||
310(a)(1) |
7.10 | |||
(a)(2) |
7.10 | |||
(a)(3) |
N/A | |||
(a)(4) |
N/A | |||
(a)(5) |
7.10 | |||
(b) |
7.10 | |||
(c) |
N/A | |||
311(a) |
7.11 | |||
(b) |
7.11 | |||
(c) |
N/A | |||
312(a) |
2.05 | |||
(b) |
12.03 | |||
(c) |
12.03 | |||
313(a) |
7.06 | |||
(b)(1) |
7.06 | |||
(b)(2) |
7.06, 7.07 | |||
(c) |
7.06, 12.02 | |||
(d) |
7.06 | |||
314(a) |
4.03, 4.04, 12.05 | |||
(b) |
N/A | |||
(c)(1) |
12.04 | |||
(c)(2) |
12.04 | |||
(c)(3) |
N/A | |||
(d) |
N/A | |||
(e) |
12.05 | |||
(f) |
N/A | |||
315(a) |
7.01 | |||
(b) |
7.05, 12.02 | |||
(c) |
7.01 | |||
(d) |
7.01 | |||
(e) |
6.11 | |||
316(a)(last sentence) |
2.09 | |||
(a)(1)(A) |
6.05 | |||
(a)(1)(B) |
6.04 | |||
(a)(2) |
N/A | |||
(b) |
6.07 | |||
(c) |
2.12 | |||
317(a)(1) |
6.08 | |||
(a)(2) |
6.09 | |||
(b) |
2.04 | |||
318(a) |
12.01 | |||
(b) |
N/A | |||
(c) |
12.01 |
* | This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture. N/A means not applicable. |
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 |
||||||
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
1 | |||||
SECTION 1.01. |
DEFINITIONS |
1 | ||||
SECTION 1.02. |
OTHER DEFINITIONS |
37 | ||||
SECTION 1.03. |
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT |
37 | ||||
SECTION 1.04. |
RULES OF CONSTRUCTION |
38 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 |
||||||
THE NOTES |
39 | |||||
SECTION 2.01. |
FORM AND DATING |
39 | ||||
SECTION 2.02. |
EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION |
41 | ||||
SECTION 2.03. |
REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT |
41 | ||||
SECTION 2.04. |
PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY AS BANKER |
42 | ||||
SECTION 2.05. |
HOLDER LISTS |
42 | ||||
SECTION 2.06. |
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE |
42 | ||||
SECTION 2.07. |
REPLACEMENT NOTES |
50 | ||||
SECTION 2.08. |
OUTSTANDING NOTES |
51 | ||||
SECTION 2.09. |
TREASURY NOTES |
51 | ||||
SECTION 2.10. |
TEMPORARY NOTES |
51 | ||||
SECTION 2.11. |
CANCELLATION |
52 | ||||
SECTION 2.12. |
DEFAULTED INTEREST |
52 | ||||
SECTION 2.13. |
PIK INTEREST |
52 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 |
||||||
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE; RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL |
53 | |||||
SECTION 3.01. |
NOTICES TO TRUSTEE |
53 | ||||
SECTION 3.02. |
SELECTION OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED |
53 | ||||
SECTION 3.03. |
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION |
54 | ||||
SECTION 3.04. |
EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION |
55 | ||||
SECTION 3.05. |
DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE |
55 | ||||
SECTION 3.06. |
NOTES REDEEMED IN PART |
56 | ||||
SECTION 3.07. |
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION |
56 | ||||
SECTION 3.08. |
MANDATORY REDEMPTION |
57 | ||||
SECTION 3.09. |
OFFER TO PURCHASE BY APPLICATION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS |
57 | ||||
SECTION 3.10. |
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL |
59 |
ii
ARTICLE 4 |
||||||
COVENANTS |
61 | |||||
SECTION 4.01. |
PAYMENT OF NOTES |
61 | ||||
SECTION 4.02. |
MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY |
61 | ||||
SECTION 4.03. |
REPORTS |
62 | ||||
SECTION 4.04. |
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE |
63 | ||||
SECTION 4.05. |
TAXES |
64 | ||||
SECTION 4.06. |
FINANCIAL MAINTENANCE COVENANT |
64 | ||||
SECTION 4.07. |
LOANS OR CREDIT |
64 | ||||
SECTION 4.08. |
NO GUARANTEES OR INDEMNITIES |
64 | ||||
SECTION 4.09. |
DIVIDENDS AND SHARE REDEMPTION |
64 | ||||
SECTION 4.10. |
DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES |
66 | ||||
SECTION 4.11. |
FINANCIAL INDEBTEDNESS |
67 | ||||
SECTION 4.12. |
ASSET SALES |
67 | ||||
SECTION 4.13. |
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES |
69 | ||||
SECTION 4.14. |
LIENS |
70 | ||||
SECTION 4.15. |
GUARANTEES OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INDEBTEDNESS BY RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES |
70 | ||||
SECTION 4.16. |
CORPORATE EXISTENCE |
71 | ||||
SECTION 4.17. |
OFFER TO PURCHASE UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL |
71 | ||||
SECTION 4.18. |
ISSUANCES AND SALES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES |
73 | ||||
SECTION 4.19. |
SALE-AND-LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS |
73 | ||||
SECTION 4.20. |
NO INDUCEMENTS |
73 | ||||
SECTION 4.21. |
ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS |
74 | ||||
SECTION 4.22. |
INDEMNIFICATION FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY JUDGMENTS |
77 | ||||
SECTION 4.23. |
ANTI-LAYERING |
77 | ||||
SECTION 4.24. |
WITHHOLDING |
78 | ||||
SECTION 4.25. |
TREASURY TRANSACTIONS |
79 | ||||
SECTION 4.26. |
LIMITATIONS ON ACTIVITIES OF THE EXCLUDED SUBSIDIARIES |
79 | ||||
SECTION 4.27. |
IMPAIRMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST |
79 | ||||
SECTION 4.28. |
ADDITIONAL INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENTS |
81 | ||||
SECTION 4.29. |
MERGER |
81 | ||||
SECTION 4.30. |
CHANGE OF BUSINESS |
81 | ||||
SECTION 4.31. |
ACQUISITIONS |
81 | ||||
SECTION 4.32. |
JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTMENTS |
82 | ||||
SECTION 4.33. |
SHARE CAPITAL |
82 | ||||
SECTION 4.34. |
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS |
82 | ||||
SECTION 4.35. |
JUNIOR DEBT PREPAYMENT |
82 | ||||
SECTION 4.36. |
MAINTENANCE OF LISTING |
83 | ||||
SECTION 4.37. |
FURTHER ASSURANCES |
83 | ||||
SECTION 4.38. |
STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS |
87 |
iii
ARTICLE 5 |
||||||
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION; SUCCESSORS |
87 | |||||
SECTION 5.01. |
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION |
87 | ||||
SECTION 5.02. |
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED |
89 | ||||
ARTICLE 6 |
||||||
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
89 | |||||
SECTION 6.01. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
89 | ||||
SECTION 6.02. |
ACCELERATION |
91 | ||||
SECTION 6.03. |
OTHER REMEDIES |
92 | ||||
SECTION 6.04. |
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS |
92 | ||||
SECTION 6.05. |
CONTROL BY MAJORITY |
93 | ||||
SECTION 6.06. |
LIMITATION ON SUITS |
93 | ||||
SECTION 6.07. |
RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT |
93 | ||||
SECTION 6.08. |
COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE |
94 | ||||
SECTION 6.09. |
TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM |
94 | ||||
SECTION 6.10. |
PRIORITIES |
94 | ||||
SECTION 6.11. |
UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS |
95 | ||||
ARTICLE 7 |
||||||
TRUSTEE; COLLATERAL AGENT |
95 | |||||
SECTION 7.01. |
DUTIES OF TRUSTEE |
95 | ||||
SECTION 7.02. |
RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE |
97 | ||||
SECTION 7.03. |
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE |
99 | ||||
SECTION 7.04. |
TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER; NO INDEPENDENT DIRECTION OF COLLATERAL AGENT OR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AGENT |
99 | ||||
SECTION 7.05. |
NOTICE OF DEFAULTS |
100 | ||||
SECTION 7.06. |
REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS |
100 | ||||
SECTION 7.07. |
COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY |
100 | ||||
SECTION 7.08. |
REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE |
101 | ||||
SECTION 7.09. |
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC. |
102 | ||||
SECTION 7.10. |
ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION |
102 | ||||
SECTION 7.11. |
PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY |
103 | ||||
SECTION 7.12. |
FORCE MAJEURE; CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES |
103 |
iv
ARTICLE 8 |
||||||
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE; SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
103 | |||||
SECTION 8.01. |
OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
103 | ||||
SECTION 8.02. |
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE |
104 | ||||
SECTION 8.03. |
COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
104 | ||||
SECTION 8.04. |
CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
105 | ||||
SECTION 8.05. |
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
106 | ||||
SECTION 8.06. |
DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
107 | ||||
SECTION 8.07. |
REPAYMENT TO COMPANY |
108 | ||||
SECTION 8.08. |
REINSTATEMENT |
109 | ||||
ARTICLE 9 |
||||||
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER |
109 | |||||
SECTION 9.01. |
WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES |
109 | ||||
SECTION 9.02. |
WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES |
110 | ||||
SECTION 9.03. |
COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT |
111 | ||||
SECTION 9.04. |
REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS |
112 | ||||
SECTION 9.05. |
NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES |
112 | ||||
SECTION 9.06. |
TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC. |
112 | ||||
ARTICLE 10 |
||||||
GUARANTEES OF NOTES |
112 | |||||
SECTION 10.01. |
NOTE GUARANTEES |
112 | ||||
SECTION 10.02. |
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF NOTE GUARANTEE |
114 | ||||
SECTION 10.03. |
GUARANTORS MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS |
114 | ||||
SECTION 10.04. |
RELEASES OF GUARANTEES |
115 | ||||
SECTION 10.05. |
RELEASES FOLLOWING SALE OF ASSETS |
115 | ||||
SECTION 10.06. |
RELEASES FOLLOWING DESIGNATION AS AN UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY, ETC. |
116 | ||||
SECTION 10.07. |
LIMITATION ON GUARANTOR LIABILITY |
116 | ||||
SECTION 10.08. |
“TRUSTEE” TO INCLUDE PAYING AGENT |
116 | ||||
ARTICLE 11 |
||||||
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, COLLATERAL AND SECURITY |
117 | |||||
SECTION 11.01. |
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT CONTROLS |
117 | ||||
SECTION 11.02. |
CREATION OF PARALLEL DEBT |
117 | ||||
SECTION 11.03. |
SECURITY DOCUMENTS |
119 | ||||
SECTION 11.04. |
RELEASE OF COLLATERAL |
121 |
v
SECTION 11.05. |
AUTHORIZATION OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR THE TRUSTEE UNDER THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS |
123 | ||||
SECTION 11.06. |
AUTHORIZATION OF RECEIPT OF FUNDS BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE TRUSTEE UNDER THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS |
123 | ||||
SECTION 11.07. |
DUTCH SECURITY |
123 | ||||
ARTICLE 12 |
||||||
MISCELLANEOUS |
124 | |||||
SECTION 12.01. |
TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS |
124 | ||||
SECTION 12.02. |
NOTICES |
124 | ||||
SECTION 12.03. |
COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS OF NOTES WITH OTHER HOLDERS OF NOTES |
126 | ||||
SECTION 12.04. |
CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
126 | ||||
SECTION 12.05. |
STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION |
126 | ||||
SECTION 12.06. |
RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS |
127 | ||||
SECTION 12.07. |
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND SHAREHOLDERS |
127 | ||||
SECTION 12.08. |
GOVERNING LAW |
127 | ||||
SECTION 12.09. |
NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS |
127 | ||||
SECTION 12.10. |
SUCCESSORS |
127 | ||||
SECTION 12.11. |
SEVERABILITY |
127 | ||||
SECTION 12.12. |
COUNTERPART ORIGINALS |
127 | ||||
SECTION 12.13. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC. |
128 | ||||
SECTION 12.14. |
CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SUBMISSION TO PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL |
128 | ||||
SECTION 12.15. |
PRESCRIPTION |
129 | ||||
SECTION 12.16. |
BAIL-IN |
129 | ||||
SECTION 12.17. |
PATRIOT ACT |
130 |
vi
EXHIBITS AND ANNEXES
EXHIBIT A |
Form of Note |
A-1 | ||||
EXHIBIT B-1 |
Form of Certificate for Transfer of Beneficial Interest to Regulation S Global Note |
B-1-1 | ||||
EXHIBIT B-2 |
Form of Certificate for Transfer of Beneficial Interest to Rule 144A Global Note or IAI Global Note |
B-2-1 | ||||
EXHIBIT B-3 |
Form of Certificate for Exchange or Registration of Transfer of Definitive Notes |
B-3-1 | ||||
EXHIBIT C |
Form of Certificate to be delivered by Institutional Accredited Investors |
C-1 | ||||
EXHIBIT D |
Form of Notation of Note Guarantee |
D-1 | ||||
EXHIBIT E |
Form of Supplemental Indenture |
E-1 | ||||
SCHEDULE I |
Specified Disposals |
Sch I-1 | ||||
SCHEDULE II |
Specified Liquidation Entities |
Sch II-1 | ||||
SCHEDULE III |
Permitted Joint Ventures |
Sch III-1 | ||||
SCHEDULE IV |
Agreed Security Principles |
Sch IV-1 | ||||
SCHEDULE V |
Initial Security Documents |
Sch V-1 |
vii
This Indenture, dated as of [●], 2018 is among CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc., a company incorporated in the State of Delaware (the “Company”), any Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) party hereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as trustee (the “Trustee”), The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as principal paying agent (in such role, the “Principal Paying Agent”), calculation agent (in such role, the “Calculation Agent”) and transfer agent (in such role, the “Transfer Agent”), The Bank of New York Xxxxxx XX/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as registrar (the “Registrar”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, as U.S. collateral agent (the “U.S. Collateral Agent”). The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, will be appointed as international security agent (the “International Security Agent”) under the Intercreditor Agreement.
RECITAL:
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of its $[●] in aggregate principal amount of First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023 issued on the Issue Date (the “Original Notes”) and any additional First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (“Additional Notes”) that may be issued after the Issue Date (the Original Notes and any Additional Notes (including in respect of PIK Interest), the “Notes”). The Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of their Note Guarantees. The Company and the Guarantors have received good and valuable consideration for the execution and delivery of this Indenture and the Note Guarantees, as the case may be. The Guarantors will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the issuance of the Notes. All necessary acts and things have been done to make: (i) the Notes, when duly issued and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company; and (ii) this Indenture a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. DEFINITIONS.
“Acceptable Bank” means any commercial bank organized under the laws of any country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development having capital and surplus in excess of €500,000,000 and whose long-term debt securities are rated at least “A3” by Moody’s and at least “A-” by S&P.
“Acquired Indebtedness” means with respect to a specified Person (a) Financial Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of such specified Person or (b) Financial Indebtedness relating to properties or assets acquired by such specified Person. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred on the date the acquired Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or the date of the related acquisition of properties or assets from such Person.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this Indenture, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this Indenture, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, Transfer Agent, Calculation Agent, Collateral Agent or International Security Agent.
“Agreed Security Principles” means the principles set forth in Schedule IV to this Indenture.
“Applicable Law” means any applicable tax laws (inclusive of rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) related to the Indenture in effect from time to time that a foreign financial institution, issuer, trustee, paying agent or other party is or has agreed to be subject to.
“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:
(a) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; and
(b) the excess, calculated by the Company, of (1) the present value at such redemption date of (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Note at a price of 100% plus (B) all required interest payments due on the Note during the period from such redemption date through [●], 2021 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points over (2) the principal amount of the Note, if greater.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Note, the rules and procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
“Asset Sale” means:
(a) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition (a “disposition”) of any properties or assets (including by way of a sale-and-leaseback), excluding dispositions in the ordinary course of business and trading (provided that the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be subject to Sections 4.17 and Article 5 of this Indenture and not to provisions of Section 4.12 hereof); and
2
(b) the issue or sale by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of Equity Interests of any of the Parent’s Subsidiaries,
whether, in the case of clause (a) or (b), in a single transaction or a series of related transactions.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this definition, the following transactions will be deemed not to be Asset Sales (each, a “Permitted Disposal”):
(A) a disposition (i) made in the ordinary course of business and trading of the disposing entity or (ii) in a transaction or series of related transactions which (1) involves properties or assets having a fair market value of less than $5,000,000 or (2) results in the payment of net proceeds of less than $5,000,000;
(B) a disposition of obsolete or excess equipment or other properties or assets;
(C) a disposition of properties or assets (including Equity Interests) by the Company to a Guarantor or by a Guarantor to the Company, amongst Guarantors or by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to an Obligor;
(D) a disposition of cash or Cash Equivalent Investments;
(E) a disposition of properties or assets (including Equity Interests) that constitutes a Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.09 of this Indenture;
(F) any trade or exchange by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary of equipment or other properties or assets for equipment or other properties or assets owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash or Cash Equivalent Investments) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the properties or assets (together with any cash or Cash Equivalent Investments) to be received by the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary;
(G) the creation or perfection of a Lien on any properties or assets (or any income or profits therefrom) of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not prohibited by Section 4.14 hereof;
(H) the sale or other disposition of any Specified Disposal or any Specified Liquidation Entity, including any interim steps to facilitate such sale or disposition; provided that if such sale or disposition is not consummated, the Parent or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall unwind such interim steps within three months of such failure to consummate; provided that the sale or other disposition of any Specified Disposal shall be for consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets, properties or shares so sold or disposed;
(I) the surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contractual, non-contractual or other claims of any kind;
3
(J) the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise of collection thereof;
(K) the factoring of accounts receivable on a non-recourse basis or monetization of future receivables, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice pursuant to arrangements customary in the region;
(L) the creation of any Permitted Lien or Permitted Collateral Lien;
(M) a Permitted Share Issue;
(N) the grant in the ordinary course of business of any non-exclusive license of patents, trademarks, registrations therefor and other similar intellectual property;
(O) a disposition of properties or assets (including Equity Interests) as contemplated pursuant to the Permitted Business Restructuring or the Permitted Closing Steps;
(P) a disposition in connection with the Galileo Transactions;
(Q) the sale or disposition of Equity Interests in Sercel, Inc., to a third party; provided that (i) the Parent, together with the Restricted Subsidiaries, shall (A) hold at least 51% of the share capital of Sercel, Inc. at all times and (B) remain the controlling shareholder of Sercel, Inc.; (ii) the assets and business of Sercel, Inc. as of the date of such disposal shall be substantially the same scope as that on the Restructuring Effective Date; and (iii) such sale or disposition is made for fair market value and is consummated pursuant to a binding agreement entered into on or after the date that is six months following the Restructuring Effective Date; and
(R) the disposition of Equity Interests by an Obligor in any of its Subsidiaries to the extent required by applicable law to qualify members of the board of directors (or a similar governing body) of the relevant Subsidiary.
The fair market value of any non-cash proceeds of a disposition of properties or assets and of any properties or assets referred to in the foregoing clauses of this definition shall be determined in the manner contemplated in the definition of the term “fair market value,” the results of which determination shall be set forth in an Officers Certificate delivered to the Trustee.
“Authorized Merger” means an amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction (each, a “group merger”) of a member of the Group whose assets and/or shares are subject to Collateral into another member of the Group which is an Obligor or whose shares are pledged as Collateral where (i) such group merger is permitted under this Indenture or is consented to by the Holders in accordance with Article 9 and (ii) any release of the Collateral owned by or representing the shares of such member of the Group is required to facilitate such group merger.
4
“Available Amount” means (without double-counting) for any purpose other than the making of any Restricted Payment, $100,000,000, and for purposes of making any Restricted Payment, $0, which amount shall be (a) increased on the date of delivery in any Fiscal Year of the Officers’ Certificate required by Section 4.04(a) setting forth the calculation of Excess Cash Flow for the preceding Fiscal Year by the cumulative amount of Excess Cash Flow for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the first day of the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2018, to the end of the Fiscal Year most recently ended in respect of which such Officers’ Certificate has been delivered (provided that, if at any time the amount under this clause (a) is negative, such amount will be deemed to be zero), (b) increased, on the date of receipt by the Parent, the Company or a Guarantor of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Equity Issuance (excluding any Disqualified Stock) after completion of all Permitted Closing Steps, by an amount equal to the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds and (c) reduced by the amount attributable to the Available Amount so utilized at the time any (i) Restricted Payment is made pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(vii); (ii) Permitted Guarantee is made pursuant to clauses (d) or (e) of the definition thereof, (iii) Permitted Share Issue is made pursuant to clause (d)(vi) of the definition thereof, (iv) Permitted Investment is made pursuant to proviso to the definition thereof or (v) Permitted Financial Indebtedness is incurred pursuant to clause (e) of the definition thereof.
“Bail-in Legislation” means in relation to a Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented, or which at any time implements, the BRRD, the relevant implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement as described in the EU Bail-in Legislation from time to time.
“Bail-in Powers” means any Write-down and Conversion Powers as defined in relation to the relevant Bail-in Legislation.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors (Conseil d’Administration) of the Parent, or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Parent to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Parent and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.
“BRRD” means Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms.
“BRRD Liability” has the same meaning as in such laws, regulations, rules or requirements implementing the BRRD under the applicable Bail-in Legislation.
“BRRD Party” means any Agent subject to Bail-in Powers.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Expenditures” shall mean investments made in multi-client surveys as such item appears in the consolidated accounts “Document de Référence” plus purchase of tangible and intangibles and property, plant and equipment, as the case may be, plus
5
equipment acquired under capital leases (other than charters of seismic vessels), but excluding in each case any such expenditure made to restore, replace or rebuild property to the condition of such property immediately prior to any damage, loss, destruction or condemnation of such property, to the extent such expenditure is made with insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or damage recovery proceeds relating to any such damage, loss, destruction or condemnation.
“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 or finance leases on a balance sheet of such person under IFRS (other than a lease which would, in accordance with IFRS as in force on the Issue Date, have been treated as an operating lease), and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with IFRS.
“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, including preferred stock, (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited) and (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Cash Equivalent Investments” means at any time (a) certificates of deposit maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and issued by an Acceptable Bank, (b) any investment in marketable debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, any member state of the European Economic Area or any Participating Member State or by an instrumentality or agency of any of them having an equivalent credit rating, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and not convertible or exchangeable to any other security, (c) commercial paper not convertible or exchangeable to any other security: (i) for which a recognized trading market exists; (ii) issued by an issuer incorporated in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, any member state of the European Economic Area or any Participating Member State; (iii) which matures within one year after the relevant date of calculation; and (iv) which has a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by S&P or Fitch Ratings Ltd. or P-1 or higher by Xxxxx’x, or, if no rating is available in respect of the commercial paper, the issuer of which has, in respect of its long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations, an equivalent rating, (d) sterling bills of exchange eligible for rediscount at the Bank of England and accepted by an Acceptable Bank (or their dematerialized equivalent), (e) any investment accessible within 30 days in money market funds which have a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by S&P or Fitch Rating Ltd. or P-1 or higher by Xxxxx’x and which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (d) above, or (f) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing.
6
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the adoption, by holders of Capital Stock of the Parent, of a voluntary plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Parent, (c) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than Permitted Shareholders) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Parent, (d) the first day on which more than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors or (e) the Company ceases to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme.
“Collateral” means any and all assets from time to time in which a security interest has been or will be granted, whether on the Issue Date or thereafter, pursuant to any Security Document to secure obligations under the Indenture, the Notes and/or any Note Guarantee.
“Collateral Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as collateral agent pursuant to this Indenture, or any successor or replacement collateral agent acting in such capacity. As used herein, where appropriate in the context, the term “Collateral Agent” shall be deemed to collectively refer to both the Collateral Agent and the U.S. Collateral Agent.
“Common Depositary” means The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch as Common Depositary until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
“Company” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.
“Confirmation Order” means the order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York confirming the plan of reorganization of the Company filed on or prior to the Restructuring Effective Date pursuant to Section 1129 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments
7
associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of all payments made or received (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates but excluding amortization of debt issuance costs and non-cash charges other than non-cash interest expenses related to convertible bonds); and
(b) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with IFRS, provided that (a) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, (b) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders and (c) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded.
“Consolidated Net Worth” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the consolidated stockholders’ equity of such Person and its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date less the amount of consolidated stockholders’ equity attributable to Disqualified Stock or treasury stock of such Person and its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date, in each case determined in accordance with IFRS.
“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors who (a) was a member of the Board of Directors on the Issue Date, (b) was nominated for election to the Board of Directors with the approval of, or whose election to the Board of Directors was ratified by, at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who were members of the Board of Directors on the Issue Date or who were so elected to the Board of Directors thereafter or (c) prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, was nominated by Permitted Shareholders.
“Corporate Trust Office” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to any Person, one or more debt facilities, credit agreements, commercial paper facilities, note purchase agreements, indentures or other agreements, in each case with banks, lenders or other institutional lenders (including with special purpose vehicles established by such banks or lenders to provide
8
such facilities), purchasers, investors, trustees, agents or other representatives of any of the foregoing, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or trade letters of credit or other borrowings or other extensions of credit, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
“Current Assets” shall mean, at any time, the consolidated current assets (other than cash and cash equivalents) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries.
“Current Liabilities” shall mean, at any time, the consolidated current liabilities of the Parent and its Subsidiaries at such time, but excluding the current portion of any long-term indebtedness.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would be, an Event of Default.
“Definitive Notes” means Notes that are in registered certificated form.
“Depository” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, Euroclear and Clearstream with respect to the Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and becomes such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and, thereafter, “Depository” shall mean such successor.
“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalent Investments received in connection with a subsequent payment, redemption, retirement, sale or other disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration. A particular item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration shall no longer be considered to be outstanding when and to the extent it has been paid, redeemed or otherwise retired or sold or otherwise disposed of in compliance with Section 4.12 of this Indenture.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures (excluding any maturity as a result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature or are redeemed or retired in full; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof (or of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) have the right to require the issuer to repurchase such Capital Stock (or such security into which it is convertible or for
9
which it is exchangeable) upon the occurrence of any of the events constituting an Asset Sale or a Change of Control shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) provides that the issuer thereof may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (or any such security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) pursuant to such provisions prior to compliance by the Company with Section 4.12 or 4.17 of this Indenture, as the case may be.
“$,” “dollars” and “U.S. dollars” denote the lawful currency of the United States of America.
“DMS” means the Data Management Services business unit of the Group.
“Domestic Subsidiaries” means all Subsidiaries of Parent incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
“Dutch Security Agreements” means (i) the notarial deed of pledge of shares in the capital of CGG Marine B.V., among CGG Holding B.V. as pledgor, the Collateral Agent as pledgee and CGG Marine B.V. as the company in which the shares are being pledged, dated the Issue Date and (ii) the deed of disclosed pledge of receivables (under intercompany loan agreements) among CGG Holding B.V. as pledgor, the Collateral Agent as pledgee and the other parties named therein as party, dated the Issue Date.
“EBITDA” means operating income (loss) of the Group determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with IFRS, excluding non-recurring revenues (expenses) plus depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation cost and dividends received from companies accounted for by Parent under the equity method. Share-based compensation includes both stock options and shares issued under the Group’s performance share allocation plans.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Issuance” means any issuance or sale by Parent, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries of any Equity Interests of Parent, the Company or any such Subsidiary, as applicable, except in each case for (a) any issuance or sale to Parent, the Company or any Subsidiary and (b) any issuance of directors’ qualifying shares.
“euro” and “€” denote the lawful single currency of participating member states of the European Economic and Monetary Union as contemplated by the Treaty Establishing the European Union.
“Euro Equivalent” means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than euros, at or as of any time for the determination thereof, the amount of euros obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into euros at the spot rate for the purchase of euros with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by
10
Reuters (or, if Reuters ceases to provide such spot quotations, by any other reputable service that is providing such spot quotations, as selected by the Parent) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date not more than two Business Days prior to such determination.
“Euroclear” means Euroclear SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system.
“Excess Cash Flow” means, for any Fiscal Year of the Parent, the amount set forth on the Officers’ Certificate required by Section 4.04(a) of this Indenture, calculated as the excess of (a) the sum (without double-counting) of (i) EBITDA for such Fiscal Year and (ii) reductions to non-cash working capital of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year (viz., the decrease, if any, in Current Assets minus Current Liabilities measured from the first day of such Fiscal Year to the last day of such Fiscal Year), minus (b) the sum (without double-counting) of (i) the amount of any Taxes payable in cash by the Parent and its Subsidiaries with respect to such Fiscal Year, (ii) Total Interest Costs for such Fiscal Year paid in cash, (iii) Capital Expenditures made during such Fiscal Year, except to the extent such Capital Expenditures were financed with the proceeds of Permitted Financial Indebtedness, Equity Issuances, casualty proceeds, condemnation proceeds or other proceeds that would not be included in EBITDA, (iv) permanent repayments of Financial Indebtedness made in cash by the Parent and its Subsidiaries during such Fiscal Year, but only to the extent that the Financial Indebtedness so prepaid by its terms cannot be reborrowed or redrawn and such prepayments do not occur in connection with a refinancing of all or any portion of such Financial Indebtedness, (v) without double-counting of amounts reflected in Total Interest Costs for such Fiscal Year, all cash payments made pursuant to Treasury Transactions during such Fiscal Year, (vi) the portion of any Permitted Acquisitions paid for in cash by the Parent and its Subsidiaries during such Fiscal Year (except to the extent amounts used to fund the same were attributable to the Available Amount), (vii) the portion of any Restricted Payments made in cash in accordance with Section 4.09 by the Parent and its Subsidiaries during such Fiscal Year (except to the extent amounts used to fund the same were attributable to the Available Amount) and (viii) additions to non-cash working capital of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year (viz., the increase, if any, in Current Assets minus Current Liabilities measured from the first day of such Fiscal Year to the last day of such Fiscal Year).
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Excluded Subsidiaries” means CGG Marine Resources Norge AS, CGG Holding UK I, CGG Holding UK II, Sercel Inc. and Sercel GRC.
“Existing Indebtedness” means Financial Indebtedness of the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Financial Indebtedness under the Notes; the Second Lien Notes and the SN Interest Second Lien Notes) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid, but shall not include any Financial Indebtedness that is repaid with the proceeds of the Second Lien Notes.
11
The term “fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or Investment, the fair market value of such asset or Investment at the time of the event requiring such determination, as determined in good faith by the Parent, or, with respect to any asset or Investment in excess of $50,000,000 (other than cash or Cash Equivalent Investments), as determined by a reputable investment banking, accounting or appraisal firm that is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, qualified to perform the task for which such firm has been engaged and independent with respect to the Parent.
“Financial Indebtedness” means any indebtedness for or in respect of: (a) moneys borrowed, (b) any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility, (c) any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures or any similar instrument, (d) [reserved,] (e) receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis), (f) any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing, (g) any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value shall be taken into account), (h) [reserved,] (i) all obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business) and (j) the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in clauses (a) to (i) above; provided that any indebtedness for or in respect of any Permitted Guarantee shall not constitute “Financial Indebtedness” hereunder to the extent such indebtedness is not due and payable, or, if incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for borrowed money, if due and payable, such obligations are satisfied within 30 days of incurrence. The amount of any Financial Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (a) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Financial Indebtedness that does not require current payments of interest and (b) the principal amount thereof, in the case of any other Financial Indebtedness (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder).
“Financial Quarter” means the period commencing on the day after one Quarter Date and ending on the next Quarter Date.
“First Lien Leverage Ratio” means the ratio of Total First Lien Debt to EBITDA calculated on a pro forma basis for the most recently ended Relevant Period, made in good faith by a responsible financial or chief accounting officer of the Parent, as applicable (reduced, to the extent added to the calculation of EBITDA, by any depreciation attributable to any Capital Lease Obligation); provided that to the extent any Permitted Disposal, Asset Sale or any Permitted Acquisition has occurred during the Relevant Period, the First Lien Leverage Ratio shall be determined for such Relevant Period after giving pro forma effect to such transaction in the fiscal quarter in which such transaction occurs.
“Fiscal Year” means a calendar year ending on December 31.
12
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“French Revolving Facility” means the credit facility made available to Parent pursuant to the French Revolving Facility Agreement.
“French Revolving Facility Agreement” means the Multicurrency Revolving Facility Agreement governed by French law and originally entered into on July 31, 2013 (as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Parent, the lenders party thereto, Natixis, as agent, and the other parties thereto.
“Galileo Transactions” means any transaction in relation to the Galileo building in Massy, France, including (i) the potential exercise of a purchase option entered into by the Parent and any sale lease back of the building following the exercise of such purchase option or (ii) the potential refinancing and extension of the existing Capital Lease Obligation (with or without the purchase option) including the guarantee by CGG Services S.A.S. thereunder; provided, however, that any such transaction shall be undertaken on market terms.
“Group” means Parent and its Subsidiaries.
“guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including by way of pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Financial Indebtedness.
“Guarantor” means each of:
(a) the Initial Guarantors; and
(b) any other Subsidiary of the Parent (including any Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor at its option) that executes a supplemental indenture providing for a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture,
and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with Sections 10.04, 10.05 or 10.06 hereof.
“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under (a) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements, (b) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates and (c) any foreign currency futures contract, option or similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices, in each case to the extent such obligations are incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person and not for speculative purposes.
13
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.
“IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards (formerly, International Accounting Standards) as endorsed from time to time by the European Union; provided that at any date after the Issue Date the Parent may make an irrevocable election to establish that “IFRS” shall mean IFRS as in effect on a date that is on or prior to the date of such election. The Parent shall give notice of any such election to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the impact of IFRS 16 Leases and any successor standard thereto shall be disregarded with respect to all ratios, calculations and determinations based upon IFRS to be calculated or made, as the case may be, pursuant to this Indenture and (without limitation) any lease, concession or license of property that would be considered an operating lease under IFRS as of the Issue Date and any guarantee given by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business solely in connection with, and in respect of, the obligations of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary under any such operating lease shall be accounted for in accordance with IFRS as in effect on the Issue Date.
“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds an interest through a Participant.
“Initial Guarantors” means the Parent, CGG Holding B.V., CGG Marine B.V., CGG Services (U.S.) Inc., CGG Land (U.S.) Inc., Viking Maritime Inc., Alitheia Resources Inc., each a Restricted Subsidiary and a Guarantor as of the Issue Date.
“Institutional Accredited Investor” means an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
“Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the Issue Date (and as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), between, among others, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, and each additional authorized representative and collateral agent from time to time party thereto.
“Interest Coverage Ratio” means the ratio of EBITDA to Total Interest Costs, calculated on a pro forma basis for the most recently ended Relevant Period, made in good faith by a responsible financial or chief accounting officer of the Parent, as applicable.
“International Security Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as international security agent pursuant to this Indenture, or any successor or replacement collateral agent acting in such capacity.
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or indirect loans (including guarantees by the referent Person of, and Xxxxx on any assets of the referent Person
14
securing, Financial Indebtedness or other obligations of other Persons), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to directors, officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Financial Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with IFRS; provided, however, that the following shall not constitute Investments: (i) extensions of trade credit or other advances to customers on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices or otherwise in the ordinary course of business, (ii) Hedging Obligations and (iii) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business. If the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Parent shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.09(c) of this Indenture.
“Issue Date” means [●], 2018.
“Joint Venture” means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other entity.
“Junior Debt” means Financial Indebtedness having one or more of the following features: (a) such Financial Indebtedness is Financial Indebtedness of the Company or the Guarantors that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, (b) such Financial Indebtedness is unsecured, (c) such Financial Indebtedness benefits from Liens on the Collateral ranking junior to the Liens in favor of the Notes and the Note Guarantees or (d) such Financial Indebtedness does not benefit from guarantees from the Parent or one or more other Guarantors.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in Paris, France, London, England, New York, New York or at a place of payment with respect to the Notes are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement) or any assignment of (or agreement to assign) any right to income or profits from any assets by way of security.
15
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Multi-Physics (Airborne)” means the Multi-physics Airborne business unit of the Group.
“Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to any Equity Issuance or incurrence of any Financial Indebtedness, the cash proceeds thereof, net of all taxes and customary fees, commissions, costs and other expenses incurred in connection therewith.
“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (or loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with IFRS and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however, (a) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with (i) any Asset Sale (including dispositions pursuant to sale-and-leaseback transactions) or (ii) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Financial Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss).
“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of (without duplication) the following: (a) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale (including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, sales commissions, recording fees, title transfer fees, title insurance premiums, appraiser fees, other out-of-pocket expenses and costs incurred in connection with preparing such asset for sale) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof; (b) taxes paid or estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements that will result in a reduction in consolidated tax liability); (c) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Financial Indebtedness (other than under a revolving credit facility) secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale; and (d) any reserve (including any reserve against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Parent or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary) established in accordance with IFRS or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets, until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.
“Non-Recourse Debt” means Financial Indebtedness (a) as to which neither the Parent nor any Restricted Subsidiary (i) provides credit support of any kind (including
16
any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Financial Indebtedness) or is otherwise directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise) or (ii) constitutes the lender, (b) no default with respect to which (including any rights the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) the holders of Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Notes) to declare a default on such Financial Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity and (c) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary.
“Not Otherwise Applied” means with reference to any amount of the Available Amount that is proposed to be applied to a particular use or transaction, that such amount has not previously been (and is not simultaneously being) applied to anything other than that particular use or transaction.
“Note Guarantee” means the guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, executed pursuant to Article 10 hereof.
“Notes” has the meaning set forth in the Recital of this Indenture.
“Notes Documents” means this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents the Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of any of the foregoing, in each case payable under the documentation governing any Financial Indebtedness.
“Obligors” means the Company and the Guarantors.
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, an authorized signatory or authorized signatories or any Vice-President of such Person.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Parent by two Officers of the Parent, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Parent, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. Unless otherwise provided in this Indenture, the counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or the Trustee.
17
“Parent” means CGG, a société anonyme incorporated in France and registered at the Paris Commercial Registry under number 969 202 241.
“Pari Passu Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales, Pari Passu Secured Debt the terms of which require the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary to apply such Net Proceeds to offer to purchase such Financial Indebtedness.
“Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement dated on or about the Issue Date (and as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted by this Indenture), between, among others, the Company, the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and each additional authorized representative and collateral agent from time to time party thereto.
“Pari Passu Secured Debt” means Financial Indebtedness of the Company or the Parent that ranks equal in right of payment to the Notes, the guarantees in respect of such Financial Indebtedness rank equal in right of payment to the Note Guarantees (or, in the case of Pari Passu Secured Debt incurred by the Parent, the guarantee of such Pari Passu Secured Debt by the Company ranks equal in right of payment to the Notes), and such Financial Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on an equal basis to the security interest in respect of the Notes.
“Participant” means with respect to Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively.
“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
“Permitted Acquisition” means (a) an acquisition by way of merger provided that the merger is permitted under clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Merger; (b) the acquisition of, or investment in, any share or interest in any Permitted Joint Venture, in each case pursuant to the joint venture agreement applicable thereto, as in effect on the Issue Date or as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders; (c) the acquisition by a member of the Group of any share, interest or asset sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of by another member of the Group in circumstances constituting a Permitted Disposal or an Asset Sale that complies with Section 4.12; (d) the acquisition by a member of the Group of Cash Equivalent Investments; (e) the receipt by a member of the Group of any non-cash consideration from a Qualifying Business Disposal; (f) any acquisition of Equity Interests pursuant to clause (d), (g) or (h) of the definition of Permitted Share Issue; (g) an acquisition that is a Qualifying Acquisition; (h) the receipt of equity, joint venture interests or other consideration pursuant to a “Permitted Disposal” or an Asset Sale that complies with Section 4.12; (i) any acquisition in connection with the Galileo Transactions; or (j) any acquisition in connection with the Permitted Business Restructuring or the Permitted Closing Steps.
18
“Permitted Business Restructuring” means the reorganization for efficiency and business integration purposes and for the implementation of cash-pooling arrangements where the centralizing entity is an Obligor, so long as (a) such Permitted Business Restructuring does not (i) materially impair the Collateral or the security interests in the Collateral vis-à-vis the Holders or (ii) materially reduce (on a pro forma basis for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of the Parent) the consolidated revenue of the Parent and the other Obligors and (b) after giving effect to the Permitted Business Restructuring, the Company and the Parent otherwise comply with Article 5.
“Permitted Capital Lease Obligations” means (a) any Capital Lease Obligation outstanding on the Issue Date, (b) any vessel charter being treated as a finance or capital lease under IFRS or (c) Capital Lease Obligations of the Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred after the Issue Date that do not at any time outstanding exceed $25,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies).
“Permitted Closing Steps” means the transactions set forth in the implementation memorandum detailing the steps necessary to consummate the transactions approved under the Confirmation Order and the Safeguard Plan delivered prior to the Restructuring Effective Date.
“Permitted Collateral Liens” means (a) Liens that are described in one or more of clauses (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j), (m), (n), (o), (q), (r), (t) or (v) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and Liens arising by operation of law that would not materially interfere with the ability of the Collateral Agent to enforce the security interests in the Collateral; and
(b) Liens to secure all obligations (including PIK Interest) in respect of:
(i) the Notes (excluding any Additional Notes) and the Note Guarantees;
(ii) on a junior-ranking basis to the Liens securing the Secured Financial Debt, the Second Lien Notes (excluding any additional Second Lien Notes) and the SN Interest Second Lien Notes;
(iii) Pari Passu Secured Debt incurred pursuant to a Permitted Pari Passu Secured Debt Incurrence;
(iv) on a junior-ranking basis to the Liens securing the Secured Financial Debt, Junior Debt incurred pursuant to a Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence;
(v) the Termed Out Amount in a maximum principal amount not to exceed the principal amount of the Termed Out Amount immediately following the Restructuring Effective Date;
(vi) Financial Indebtedness permitted by clause (f) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness;
19
(vii) Financial Indebtedness permitted by clauses (b)(viii) and (i) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness; and
(viii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing clauses (i)-(vii).
“Permitted Financial Indebtedness” means (a) any Financial Indebtedness arising under any the Notes Documents (excluding any Additional Notes (other than Additional Notes issued in respect of PIK Interests)); (b) any Financial Indebtedness arising under (i) or in respect of, and not exceeding, the Termed Out Amount, (ii) any Permitted Pari Passu Secured Debt Incurrence, (iii) any Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence, (iv) any Financial Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date after giving effect to the Permitted Closing Steps, (v) the Second Lien Notes outstanding as of the Issue Date (excluding any additional Second Lien Notes (other than additional Second Lien Notes issued in respect of interest paid in kind thereunder)), (vi) the SN Interest Second Lien Notes outstanding as of the Issue Date (excluding any additional SN Interest Second Lien Notes), (vii) any validly evidenced claim in respect of accrued and unpaid interest under the Senior Notes as of the Restructuring Effective Date or (viii) Financial Indebtedness of the Company and the Guarantors that does not at any time outstanding exceed $25,000,000; (c) any Permitted Guarantee; (d) any Financial Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.25; (e) any Financial Indebtedness arising under or as a result of a Permitted Investment; provided that the amount of such Financial Indebtedness incurred after the Restructuring Effective Date, together with any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, that is recourse to the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent shall not at any time outstanding exceed $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies), plus the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied, less the amount of such Permitted Investment (as determined in accordance with Section 4.09(c)); (f) any Financial Indebtedness arising under or as a result of purchase money Financial Indebtedness incurred by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent prior to or within 270 days after the acquisition or improvement of an asset permitted under this Indenture in order to finance such acquisition or improvement, the aggregate principal amount of which when aggregated with the Financial Indebtedness under each other purchase money Financial Indebtedness entered into by members of the Group after the Restructuring Effective Date (together with any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing) does not at any time exceed $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies); (g) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and any Permitted Junior Debt Refinancing; (h) any Permitted Loan falling within clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Loan; (i) Financial Indebtedness that is incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition; provided that (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (B)(x) if such Financial Indebtedness is Junior Debt, after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Financial Indebtedness and the proposed use of proceeds thereof, the Parent could incur $1.00 of Junior Debt pursuant to a Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence, and (y) if such Financial Indebtedness would count for purposes of the calculation of Total First Lien Debt, after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Financial Indebtedness and the proposed use of proceeds thereof, the Parent could incur $1.00 of Pari Passu Secured Debt pursuant to a Permitted Pari Passu Secured Debt Incurrence; (j) Financial Indebtedness of a Subsidiary acquired
20
after the Restructuring Effective Date or a person merged into or consolidated with any member of the Group after the Restructuring Effective Date and Financial Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets, which Financial Indebtedness in each case, exists at the time of such acquisition, merger or consolidation and is not created in contemplation of such event and where such acquisition, merger or consolidation is permitted by this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Financial Indebtedness under this clause (j) and the proposed use of proceeds thereof (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (B) the Parent could incur $1.00 of Junior Debt pursuant to a Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence or the Interest Coverage Ratio will be no lower and the Total Leverage Ratio will be no greater than it was immediately prior to such transaction; (k) any Financial Indebtedness not falling within clauses (a) to (j) above or clause (l) below and incurred by any members of the Group that are not the Company or a Guarantor after the Restructuring Effective Date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of which does not (together with any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) at any time exceed $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies), in each case less the total amount of Permitted Guarantees issued pursuant to clause (f) of the definition thereof; and (l) any Financial Indebtedness incurred after the Restructuring Effective Date arising under any local working capital facilities or recourse factoring facilities or used to acquire streamers or other marine equipment not to exceed (together with any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) $150,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies) outstanding at any time. For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, in the event that an item of Financial Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Financial Indebtedness described in clauses (c) through (l) of this definition, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify and reclassify or later divide, classify or reclassify such item of Financial Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Financial Indebtedness in one or more of the above clauses.
“Permitted Guarantee” means (a)(i) any guarantee arising under the Notes Documents and (ii) any guarantee arising under the Second Lien Notes Documents (but excluding any additional Second Lien Notes (other than additional Second Lien Notes issued in respect of interest paid in kind thereunder)) and the SN Interest Second Lien Notes Documents (but excluding any additional SN Interest Second Lien Notes (other than additional SN Interest Second Lien Notes issued in respect of interest paid in kind thereunder)) granted by an Obligor (on a pari passu or junior-ranking basis as compared to the respective Note Guarantee); (b) any guarantee in respect of the Termed Out Amount in a maximum principal amount not exceeding the principal amount of the Termed Out Amount immediately following the Restructuring Effective Date, or Permitted Financial Indebtedness incurred under clause (k) or (l) of the definition thereof or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; (c) any guarantee issued by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of Financial Indebtedness, including for the avoidance of doubt, any guarantee given to ship-managers or ship-owners in relation to vessel charter contracts or capacity offtake agreements, in each case in the ordinary course of business; (d) any guarantee issued by a member of the Group in respect of the Permitted Financial Indebtedness of another member of the Group; provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of guarantees issued
21
after the Restructuring Effective Date by Obligors in respect of Financial Indebtedness of members of the Group that are not Obligors shall not exceed at any time $300,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies), plus the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied, less the aggregate principal amount of loans made by Obligors to members of the Group that are not Obligors pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Loan, less the total amount of cash and non-cash consideration paid for Equity Interests issued pursuant to clause (d)(vi) of the definition of Permitted Share Issue (not including any consideration paid for any Equity Interests issued by non-Obligors to Obligors as a result of the requirements of applicable law) as such amount may be reduced by the aggregate amount of dividends and share capital redemptions received by any Obligor in respect of any such Equity Interests pursuant to clause (d)(vi) of the definition of Permitted Share Issue; (e) any guarantee issued by a member of the Group in respect of Financial Indebtedness arising under or as a result of a Permitted Investment; provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such guarantees issued after the Restructuring Effective Date shall not at any time exceed $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies), plus the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied, less the amount (as determined in accordance with Section 4.09(c)) of such Permitted Investment; (f) all guarantees (other than those permitted pursuant to clauses (a) to (e) above or clause (g) below) issued by members of the Group that are not Obligors the aggregate outstanding principal amount of which does not exceed $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies), less the total amount of Permitted Financial Indebtedness incurred under clause (k) of the definition thereof.
“Permitted Investment” means the acquisition of or investment in any Equity Interest or shareholder loan in any company, business, person, partnership or similar entity or any Permitted Joint Venture; provided that the aggregate net expenditures in all such acquisitions and investments and Permitted Joint Ventures made by members of the Group from and after the Restructuring Effective Date shall not exceed $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies), plus the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied, less the total amount of Permitted Financial Indebtedness incurred under clause (e) of the definition thereof that is recourse to any member of the Group and (without double-counting such Permitted Guarantees and any Permitted Financial Indebtedness to which it relates) the total amount of Permitted Guarantees issued pursuant to clause (e) of the definition thereof.
“Permitted Joint Venture” means (a) any Joint Venture listed on Schedule III; or (b) any Joint Venture where (i) no Default is continuing on the date of the acquisition of or investment in, or transfer or loan to, or guarantee Lien in respect of the obligations of, the Joint Venture or would occur as a result of the acquisition of or investment in, or transfer or loan to, or guarantee or Lien in respect of the obligations of, a Joint Venture; (ii) the Joint Venture carries on, or is, a business (x) substantially the same as that carried on by the Group or (y) providing services or software products to the oil and gas industry or manufacturing equipment for use by the oil and gas industry (or any business that is reasonably complementary (including in terms of use and leverage of the Group portfolio of technology and know-how) or related thereto); and (iii) the Joint Venture does not have any material contingent off-balance sheet, environmental, litigation or other liability
22
except to the extent for which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with IFRS and/or in respect of which the relevant vendor (if any) has indemnified that member of the Group.
“Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence” means the issuance, borrowing or incurrence of Junior Debt following the Issue Date; provided that immediately after giving pro forma effect to such issuance, borrowing or incurrence, (a) no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and is continuing, (b) the Interest Coverage Ratio of the Parent on a consolidated basis shall not be less than 3.0:1.0, as certified by an Officers’ Certificate delivered by the Parent to the Trustee, (c) the Total Leverage Ratio of the Parent on a consolidated basis shall not exceed 4.0:1.0, as certified by an Officers’ Certificate delivered by the Parent to the Trustee, (d) the All-In Yield in respect of such Junior Debt shall be no higher than the All-In Yield in respect of the Second Lien Notes, (e) such Junior Debt shall not mature earlier than 91 days after the latest maturity of the Notes or any Pari Passu Secured Debt, (f) such Junior Debt shall not require any amortization or mandatory redemption payments and shall not benefit from a security or guarantee package more favorable (from a creditor’s perspective) than the security and guarantee package in favor of the Notes or any Pari Passu Secured Debt and (g) to the extent secured, such Junior Debt shall be subject to a junior lien intercreditor agreement with respect to the Notes and any Pari Passu Secured Debt.
“Permitted Junior Debt Refinancing” means a financing of the Parent or the Restricted Subsidiaries of Junior Debt (i) with a cash coupon payable in an amount no higher per annum than that in respect of the Second Lien Notes, (ii) maturing not earlier than the Second Lien Notes and not having amortization or mandatory redemption rights greater than those in respect of the Second Lien Notes, (iii) which does not benefit from a better security or guarantee package (from the perspective of the relevant creditor) than the Second Lien Notes and (iv) the proceeds of which are applied to refinance the Second Lien Notes or SN Interest Second Lien Notes (or any refinancing debt in respect thereof).
“Permitted Liens” means:
(a) Liens in favor of the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(b) Liens on any property or asset of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such merger or consolidation, were not created in contemplation of it and do not extend to any property or asset of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(c) Liens on any property or asset existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such acquisition, were not created in contemplation of it and do not extend to any other property or asset of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiaries;
23
(d) Liens securing the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, bid or performance bonds, insurance obligations or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business or counter-indemnities in respect of such obligations;
(e) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;
(f) Liens existing on the date hereof;
(g) Liens securing Financial Indebtedness permitted by clause (f) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness and Liens securing Permitted Capital Lease Obligations, provided that such Liens extend only to the property, plant or equipment financed by such Financial Indebtedness;
(h) any interest or title of a lessor under an operating lease;
(i) Liens arising by reason of deposits or other required cash collateral necessary to obtain standby letters of credit or bank guarantees in each case in the ordinary course of business and trading, including in respect of obligations of a type described under clause (d) of this definition;
(j) Liens on real or personal property or assets (including owned Equity Interests) of the Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof to secure Financial Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of (i) financing all or any part of the purchase price of such property or assets incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 90 days after, the acquisition of such property or assets or (ii) financing all or any part of the cost of construction or improvement of any such property or assets, provided that the amount of any such financing shall not exceed the amount expended in the acquisition of, or the construction of, such property or assets and such Liens shall not extend to any other property or assets of the Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than any associated accounts, contracts and insurance proceeds);
(k) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as any appropriate legal proceeding which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired;
(l) Liens securing Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary that does not exceed $12,500,000 at any one time outstanding;
(m) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.11(b) hereof, provided that such Liens (1) secured such Acquired Indebtedness at the time of and prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary and were not granted in connection with, or in anticipation of, such incurrence, and (2) do not extend to any property or asset of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or asset that secured the Acquired Indebtedness prior to the time that it became Acquired Indebtedness of the Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary;
24
(n) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any Financial Indebtedness secured by Xxxxx referred to in clauses (c), (d), (f), (g), (j) and (m) above and in this clause (n);
(o) Liens not to exceed $100,000,000 in respect of taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with IFRS has been made therefor; and
(p) Liens securing Financial Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Obligor incurred pursuant to clause (l) of the definition thereof and that does not exceed $150,000,000 at any one time outstanding.
(q) any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by (i) any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its cash management arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances or (ii) Liens on assets or property securing Treasury Transactions permitted under Section 4.25;
(r) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments and other minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of any member of the Group or result in a material diminution in the value of any Collateral;
(s) Liens over rental deposits in respect of any property leased or licensed by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of business;
(t) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any government authority to control or regulate the use of any real property;
(u) Liens securing obligations (other than obligations representing Financial Indebtedness) under operating, reciprocal easement or similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Group; and
(v) Liens over bank accounts granted pursuant to such bank’s standard terms and conditions for deposit accounts.
“Permitted Loan” means (a) any loan made by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of business (in the case of loans and advances of the type described in other clauses of this definition, subject to the limitations set forth in such other clauses); (b) any loan made by a member of the Group to another member of the Group; provided that the aggregate principal amount at any time of such loans made by Obligors to members of the Group that are not Obligors (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans) shall not exceed in respect of all such loans made after the Restructuring Effective Date, $300,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies), in each case less the aggregate principal amount of Financial Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (l) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness; (c) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of any member of the Group made
25
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices of Parent and the Group (including portage) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $7,500,000 outstanding at any time; (d) any loans and credits (other than those permitted pursuant to clauses (a) to (c) above or clause (e) below) made after the Restructuring Effective Date by a member of the Group; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such loans and credits shall not exceed $20,000,000 (or the equivalent of such sum in another currency or currencies) at any time outstanding; (e) any loans made by a member of the Group to Seabed Geosolutions B.V. in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 outstanding at any time; (f) any loan required to give effect to the Permitted Closing Steps; and (g) any loan required to give effect to cash-pooling arrangements implemented pursuant to the Permitted Business Restructuring.
“Permitted Merger” means (a) an acquisition or disposal by way of merger provided that the acquisition or disposal is a Permitted Acquisition or a Permitted Disposal or an Asset Sale that complies with Section 4.12, as the case may be; (b) an amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction on a solvent basis of a member of the Group where all of the business and assets of that member remain within the Group and if that member of the Group was an Obligor immediately prior to that amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction, all of the business and assets of that member are retained by one or more other Obligors or a company which becomes an Obligor upon such merger; provided that (i) the surviving entity of that amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction is liable for the obligations of the member of the Group it has merged with and (ii) the surviving entity of that amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction is incorporated in the same jurisdiction as that member of the Group; (c) an amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction on a solvent basis of any members of the Group that are not Obligors; (d) the transfer of a business from one Obligor to another Obligor which is followed by the prompt winding up or dissolution of the transferor Obligor, provided that in the case of each of clauses (a) through (d) above, the Company is the surviving entity, where applicable, in any such transaction to which it is a party; (e) an amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction on an insolvent basis of the Specified Liquidation Entities; or (f) an amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate transaction in connection with the Permitted Business Restructuring or Permitted Closing Steps.
“Permitted Pari Passu Secured Debt Incurrence” means the issuance, borrowing or incurrence of Pari Passu Secured Debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000; provided that (a) the maximum aggregate amount of Pari Passu Secured Debt, plus the aggregate principal amount of Financial Indebtedness represented by the Notes (including as a result of PIK Interest) (together, the “Secured Financial Debt”) from time to time shall not exceed $900.0 million at any time; and (b) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such issuance, borrowing or incurrence, (i) the Interest Coverage Ratio of the Parent on a consolidated basis shall not be less than 3.0:1.0, as certified by an Officers’ Certificate delivered by the Parent to the Trustee, (ii) the First Lien Leverage Ratio of the Parent on a consolidated basis shall not exceed 2.5:1.0, as certified by an Officers’ Certificate delivered by the Parent to the Trustee, and (iii) if the aggregate principal amount of Financial Indebtedness represented by the
26
Secured Financial Debt exceeds $800,000,000 at any time, an amount of additional collateral with a fair market value equal to or exceeding 1.5 multiplied by the principal amount of the portion of the Secured Financial Debt that exceeds $800,000,000 must be pledged in favor of the Secured Financial Debt (for the avoidance of doubt, in addition and incremental to any existing collateral in favor of the Secured Financial Debt), as certified by an Officers’ Certificate delivered by the Parent to the Trustee; provided further that (t) such Pari Passu Secured Debt shall share no greater than ratably in any prepayments of the Secured Financial Debt (provided that this shall not prevent the refinancing of any tranche); (u) the Pari Passu Secured Debt shall not benefit from a security or guarantee package more favorable (from a creditor’s perspective) than the security and guarantee package in favor of existing Secured Financial Debt (and shall be subject to customary intercreditor arrangements with any Secured Financial Debt and Junior Debt (including the Second Lien Notes)); (v) the maturity date of any such Pari Passu Secured Debt (subject to an exception for one revolving credit facility providing availability no greater than $100,000,000 (the “$100m Revolver”)) shall be no earlier than the latest maturity of any existing Secured Financial Debt; (w) the weighted average life to maturity of such Pari Passu Secured Debt (subject to an exception for the $100m Revolver) shall be no shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of any existing Secured Financial Debt; (x) such Pari Passu Secured Debt shall not contain any restrictions on making payments on, or distributing cash within the Group to pay, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, except to the extent such limitations mirror the pro rata prepayment and repurchase provisions in the Notes; (y) Holders of Notes shall have a right of first refusal to provide such Pari Passu Secured Debt pursuant to Section 3.10 hereof if the All-In Yield applicable to such Pari Passu Secured Debt exceeds the All-In Yield of the Notes; and (z) to any such Pari Passu Secured Debt includes any of the following terms, such will also be granted in respect of the Notes: amortization, mandatory redemption, sinking funds or a more creditor-favorable cross-default trigger.
“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Financial Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Financial Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus any unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon and any underwriting discounts, fees, commissions and expenses incurred in connection with such Refinancing); (b) each of the stated maturity and the average life to maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to that of the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced; (c) if the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations under this Indenture, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced; (d) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have greater guarantees or security than the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced (it being agreed that such guarantees or security may be different); (e) (x) if the obligor(s) in respect of the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced are comprised
27
solely of Obligors hereunder, then the obligor(s) in respect of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include any non-Obligors hereunder, (y) if the obligor(s) in respect of the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced are comprised solely of non-Obligors hereunder, then the obligor(s) in respect of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include any Obligors hereunder and (z) if the obligor(s) in respect of the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced include both Obligors and non-Obligors hereunder, then such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall not have different obligors from the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced of any member of the Group; and (f) if the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by any collateral (whether equally and ratably with, or junior to, the Secured Parties or otherwise), such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such collateral on terms no less favorable to the Secured Parties than those contained in the documentation governing the Financial Indebtedness being Refinanced.
“Permitted Share Issue” means (a) the issue of Equity Interests pursuant to any warrants, rights, options, convertible debt securities or any other convertible securities (including pursuant to any anti-dilution provisions contained in the agreements governing such securities) issued by Parent and outstanding on the Issue Date; (b) the issue by Parent of any Equity Interests pursuant to any share option scheme or issue of free shares to senior management of the Group; (c) distributions in the form of common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests by any member of the Group (other than Parent) to its shareholders or equityholders on a pro rata basis; (d) the issue of common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests (i) by an Obligor to an Obligor; (ii) by a non-Obligor Restricted Subsidiary to a non-Obligor Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) by an Obligor to a non-Obligor Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) by a non-Obligor that is a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary to an Obligor in exchange for consideration consisting solely of non-cash and non-Cash Equivalent Investments; (v) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition under clause (b) of the definition thereof or a Permitted Investment; and (vi) by a non-Obligor Restricted Subsidiary to an Obligor for consideration in an amount not to exceed in aggregate in respect of all Equity Interests issued after the Restructuring Effective Date, $300,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies) (not including any Equity Issuances pursuant to clause (h) of this definition), plus the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied, less the aggregate principal amount of loans made by Obligors to members of the Group that are not Obligors, after the Restructuring Effective Date pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Loan, less the aggregate amount of outstanding obligations subject to a Permitted Guarantee pursuant to clause (d) of the definition of Permitted Guarantee (such aggregate principal amount outstanding to be reduced by the amount of any dividends or share capital redemptions received by any Obligor paid in respect of any Equity Interests issued by any non-Obligor pursuant to this clause (d)(vi)); (e) the issue by Parent of its own Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) or warrants, rights and/or options for such Equity Interests; (f) the issue of common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests in connection with any Qualifying Business Disposal; (g) the issue of Equity Interests by non-Obligor Restricted Subsidiaries to Obligors to the extent required by applicable law; (h) the issue of Equity Interests by non-Obligor Restricted Subsidiaries to Obligors to the extent the chief financial officer of the Parent confirms that he reasonably anticipates that such subscription for Equity Interests is required to maintain compliance with legal
28
requirements in the future (provided that the issue of Equity Interests by such French Subsidiary shall only be subscribed by the Parent by way of capitalization of shareholder loans made by the Parent to such French Subsidiary in compliance with the other provisions of this Agreement); or (i) the issue of Equity Interests in connection with the Permitted Business Restructuring or the Permitted Closing Steps.
“Permitted Shareholder” means (a) Alden Global Capital; Attestor Capital LLP; Xxxxxxxx Capital Management, LP; Boussard & Gavaudan Asset Management, LP; Contrarian Capital Management, L.L.C.; Third Point LLC; with respect to any of the foregoing, its Affiliates and funds, entities, accounts or partnerships managed, advised or sub-advised by it or its Affiliates; and any group (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, the foregoing collectively beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company and (b) any person who is acting as an underwriter in connection with a public or private offering of Capital Stock of the Company, acting in such capacity. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is completed in accordance with the requirements of the Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Shareholder.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other entity.
“Pledge and Security Agreement (U.S.)” means the Pledge and Security Agreement (U.S.), dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the other Subsidiaries party thereto and the U.S. Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
“Qualifying Acquisition” means an acquisition of any business of not less than 67% of the issued Equity Interests of a limited liability company or corporation (or, as applicable in a jurisdiction outside the United States, an organization having an equivalent status in such jurisdiction), it being understood that, for the purposes of an acquisition that is consummated pursuant to a public tender offer, such condition shall be deemed satisfied by the acquisition of not less than a majority of the issued Equity Interests of such entity so long as such public tender offer is made for not less than 67% of the issued Equity Interests of such entity that are capable of acquisition by way of a public tender offer; provided that (a) the relevant company, business, undertaking, person, partnership or similar arrangement carries on, or is, a business (x) substantially the same as that carried on by the Group, (y) providing services or software products to the oil and gas industry or manufacturing equipment for use by the oil and gas industry (or any business that is reasonably complementary or related thereto); or (z) any business that is reasonably complementary (including in terms of the use and leveraging of the Group’s portfolio of technology and know-how) is related thereto as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; and (b) after giving effect to such acquisition, the Parent would be able to incur $1.00 of Junior Debt pursuant to a Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence.
29
“Qualifying Business Disposal” means a sale, demerger or other disposal of all or any portion of a business of the Group, including any reorganization of such business (including by means of intra-Group transfers of assets and liabilities) as is required or advisable in connection with such sale, demerger or other disposal; provided that such sale, demerger or other disposal (a) relates only to the assets of non-Obligors or shares issued by non-Obligors not constituting Collateral; (b) does not involve, in the aggregate with all other such sales, demergers and other disposals, a business or businesses (or any portion of such business or businesses) the attributable EBITDA of which constituted greater than 15% of the Group’s consolidated EBITDA during the most recently ended Relevant Period; provided that such sales, demergers and other disposals involving the Group’s Geology, Geophysics & Reservoir (GGR) business segment shall not, in the aggregate, exceed $100,000,000; (c) is made for fair market value; (d) is made for consideration of the kind used or usable in a Similar Business; and (e) is consummated pursuant to a binding agreement entered into on or after the date that is six months following the Restructuring Effective Date.
“Quarter Date” means the last day of a Financial Quarter.
“Refinance” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Global Note” means a permanent global note that contains the applicable restricted legends referred to in the form of the Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, and that is deposited with the Common Depositary and registered in the name of the Common Depositary or its nominee, representing Notes originally issued or transferred in reliance on Regulation S.
“Relevant Period” means (a) each period of twelve months ending on the last day of Parent’s financial year and (b) each period of twelve months ending on the last day of each Financial Quarter of Parent’s Fiscal Year.
“Relevant Resolution Authority” means the resolution authority with the ability to exercise any Bail-in Powers in relation to the relevant BRRD Party.
“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office (or any successor corporate trust office of the Trustee) and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
30
“Restricted Global Notes” means the IAI Global Note, the Rule 144A Global Note, and the Regulation S Global Note, and each of which is required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.06(e) hereof.
“Restricted Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.09.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Parent that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Restructuring Effective Date” means [●], 2018.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Safeguard Plan” means the safeguard procedure (procédure de sauvegarde) before the Commercial Court of Paris under articles L.620-1 ff. of the French Code de commerce approved on or prior to the Restructuring Effective Date with respect to implement the financial restructuring of the Parent.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Second Lien Notes” means the $[●] million (equivalent) of the Parent’s second lien notes due 2024 issued on the Issue Date pursuant to the Second Lien Notes Indenture.
“Second Lien Notes Documents” means the Second Lien Notes Indenture, the Second Lien Notes, the guarantees of the Second Lien Notes, security documents in respect of the Second Lien Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
“Second Lien Notes Indenture” means the indenture dated as of the Issue Date governing the Second Lien Notes.
“Section 1145 Global Notes” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).
“Secured Parties” means the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent, the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
31
“Security Documents” means the Pledge and Security Agreement (U.S.), the Share Pledge Agreements, the Dutch Security Agreements and each of the security agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents listed on Schedule V hereto or executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 4.37, together with any other document entered into by any Obligor creating or expressed to create any Security over all or any part of its assets in respect of the obligations of any of the Obligors under any of the Notes Documents.
“Senior Notes” means the Parent’s 5.875% Senior Notes due 2020, 6.5% Senior Notes due 2021 and 6.875% Senior Notes due 2022.
“Share Pledge Agreements” means (a) each share pledge agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, between the applicable pledgor and the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent (if applicable, each also acting in the name of the Holders and other Secured Parties) in respect of the applicable Shares, and (b) each other share pledge agreement executed and delivered in connection with the terms of this Indenture or any other Security Document.
“Shares” means all the issued shares owned by any Obligor in the capital of (a) each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, (b) the Company, (c) Sercel Holding, (d) CGG Services S.A.S., (e) Sercel S.A.S., (f) CGG Services (UK) Ltd., (g) CGG Data Services SA, (h) CGG Marine Resources Norge AS, (i) CGG Marine B.V., (j) CGG Holding I (UK) Limited, (k) CGG Holding II (UK) Limited and (l) each direct Domestic Subsidiary of the Parent or any Guarantor (other than STX Corp., Geosensor Corp., GRC Singapore LLC, GRC Mexico LLC and GRC Dubai LLC); provided that, to the extent that the constitutional documents of or contractual arrangements relating to such subsidiary restrict or prohibit any transfer of its Equity Interests or the granting or enforcement of security interests in the Collateral (as such constitutional documents or contractual arrangements are in effect on the Issue Date or, if later, the date on which such Equity Interests are acquired by the applicable Obligor or Obligors, so long as such restriction or prohibition was not created in contemplation of such acquisition), only such Equity Interests (if any) that may be pledged without violating such constitutional documents or such contractual arrangements will constitute “Shares.”
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.
“Similar Business” means (x) a business substantially the same as that carried on by the Parent and its Subsidiaries; (y) the business of providing services or software products to the oil and gas industry or manufacturing equipment for use by the oil and gas industry; or (z) any business that is reasonably complementary (including in terms of the use and leveraging of the Group’s portfolio of technology and know-how) or related thereto as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
32
“SN Interest Second Lien Notes” means the $[●] million (equivalent) of the Parent’s second lien notes due 2024 issued on the Issue Date pursuant to the SN Interest Second Lien Notes Indenture.
“SN Interest Second Lien Notes Documents” means the SN Interest Second Lien Notes Indenture, the SN Interest Second Lien Notes, the guarantees of the SN Interest Second Lien Notes, security documents in respect of the SN Interest Second Lien Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
“SN Interest Second Lien Notes Indenture” means the indenture dated as of the Issue Date governing the SN Interest Second Lien Notes.
“Specified Disposals” means the transactions set out on Schedule I to this Indenture.
“Specified Liquidation Entities” means those entities set out on Schedule II to this Indenture.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any mandatory sinking fund or other installment of interest or principal on any series of Financial Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Financial Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Strategic Assets” means assets or rights (other than assets that would be classified as current assets in accordance with IFRS, assets already owned by the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent or shares or other equity interests in the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent) of the kind used or usable by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) in the business of providing services or software products to the oil and gas industry or manufacturing equipment for use by the oil and gas industry and (ii) in any business that is reasonably complementary (including in terms of the use and leveraging of the Group’s portfolio of technology and know-how) or related thereto as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise consolidated in the financial statements of the Parent in accordance with IFRS.
“Termed Out Amount” means the claims of certain lenders that initially arose under the French Revolving Facility Agreement that remain outstanding immediately following the Restructuring Effective Date.
33
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA.
“Total Debt” means, at any time (without double counting), the aggregate principal amount of Financial Indebtedness of the Group on a consolidated basis in respect of (a) moneys borrowed in respect of bank debt (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such debt under the French Revolving Facility); (b) all amounts outstanding under the Notes Documents and the Second Lien Notes Documents and any Pari Passu Secured Debt and Junior Debt; (c) any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument; (d) any amount raised pursuant to any issue of Disqualified Stock and all obligations to purchase, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any share capital of any person or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such share capital; (e) the amount of any liability in respect of any advance or deferred purchase agreement if the primary reason for entering into such agreement is to raise finance; (f) receivables sold or discounted (other than on a non-recourse basis); (g) any agreement or option to re-acquire an asset if the primary reason for entering into such agreement or option is to raise finance and (h) any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing (excluding any Capital Lease Obligation), except for financing by trade creditors; provided that any indebtedness for or in respect of any Permitted Guarantee shall not be included in the calculation of “Total Debt” hereunder to the extent such indebtedness is not due and payable.
“Total First Lien Debt” means Financial Indebtedness of the Group on a consolidated basis of the type referred to in the definition of Total Debt that (a) is secured by a first-priority Lien on the Collateral and not contractually subordinated to obligations under the Notes or the Note Guarantees as of such date or (b) is or has been incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Company or a Guarantor; provided that any indebtedness for or in respect of any Permitted Guarantee shall not be included in the calculation of “Total First Lien Debt” hereunder to the extent such indebtedness is not due and payable.
“Total Interest Costs” means, with respect to any person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of the following: (a) the consolidated interest expense of such person and its subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with capital lease obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of all payments made or received (if any) pursuant to Treasury Transactions in respect of interest rates but excluding amortization of debt issuance costs and non-cash charges other than any non-cash interest expenses related to convertible bonds) and (b) the consolidated interest expense of such person and its restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period.
“Total Leverage Ratio” means the ratio of Total Debt to EBITDA calculated on a pro forma basis for the most recently ended Relevant Period, made in good faith by a
34
responsible financial or chief accounting officer of the Parent, as applicable (reduced, to the extent added to the calculation of EBITDA, any depreciation attributable to any Capital Lease Obligation); provided that to the extent any Permitted Disposal, Asset Sale or any Permitted Acquisition has occurred during the Relevant Period, the Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined for such Relevant Period after giving pro forma effect to such transaction in the fiscal quarter in which such transaction occurs.
“Transfer Restricted Securities” means securities that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.06(e) hereof.
“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date in respect of the Notes, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date, as determined by the Parent, of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to [●], 20213; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to [●], 2021 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
“Treasury Transaction” means any derivative transaction entered into pursuant to a Hedging Agreement in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.
“Trustee” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Parent that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution and any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary only to the extent that such Subsidiary at the time of such designation (a) has no Financial Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt, (b) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding does not violate Section 4.13 hereof, and (c) is a Person with respect to which neither the Parent nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (i) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (ii) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions and was permitted by Section 4.09 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted
3 | The third anniversary of the Issue Date. |
35
Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Financial Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date (and, if such Financial Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date pursuant to Section 4.11 hereof, the Parent shall be in default of such covenant). The Board of Directors may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Financial Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Financial Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if: (1) such Financial Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.11 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
“U.S. Collateral Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, as U.S. collateral agent in connection with Collateral within the United States, or any successor or replacement collateral agent acting in such capacity.
“U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at or as of any time for the determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters (or, if Reuters ceases to provide such spot quotations, by any other reputable service as is providing such spot quotations, as selected by the Parent) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date not more than two Business Days prior to such determination.
“U.S. Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such Person.
“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person to the extent that all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and Capital Stock held by other statutorily required minority shareholders) shall at the time be owned directly or indirectly by such Person.
36
SECTION 1.02. OTHER DEFINITIONS.
Term |
Defined in Section | |
“Additional Amounts” |
4.21 | |
“Additional Intercreditor Agreement” |
4.28 | |
“Affiliate Transaction” |
4.13 | |
“Agreement Currency” |
4.22 | |
“All-In Yield” |
3.10 | |
“Asset Sale Offer” |
3.09 | |
“CFC”4.37 |
4.37 | |
“Change of Control Offer” |
4.17 | |
“Change of Control Payment” |
4.17 | |
“Change of Control Payment Date” |
4.17 | |
“Covenant Defeasance” |
8.03 | |
“Definitive Notes Legend” |
2.06 | |
“Distribution Compliance Period” |
2.01 | |
“Event of Default” |
6.01 | |
“Excess Proceeds” |
4.12 | |
“FATCA Withholding” |
4.21 | |
“FSCHCO” |
4.37 | |
“Global Notes” |
2.01 | |
“IAI Global Note” |
2.01 | |
“Judgment Currency” |
4.22 | |
“Legal Defeasance” |
8.02 | |
“merger” |
1.04 | |
“Offer Amount” |
3.09 | |
“Offer Period” |
3.09 | |
“Other Company Indebtedness” |
4.15 | |
“Paying Agent” |
2.03 | |
“Payment Default” |
6.01 | |
“PIK Interest” |
A-5 | |
“Purchase Date” |
3.09 | |
“QIB” |
2.06 | |
“Registrar” |
2.03 | |
“Regulation S Global Notes” |
2.01 | |
“Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction” |
4.21 | |
“Restricted Payment” |
4.09 | |
“Rollover Fee” |
A-6 | |
“Rule 144A Global Notes” |
2.01 | |
“Section 1145” |
2.01 | |
“Taxes” |
4.21 |
SECTION 1.03. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. Any terms incorporated in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.
37
SECTION 1.04. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with IFRS;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) whenever the term “include” or “including” is used in this Indenture, it shall mean “including, without limitation” (whether or not such language is specifically set forth) and shall not be deemed to limit the range of possibilities to those items specifically enumerated.
(5) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(7) the term “merger” includes a fusion, an amalgamation, a compulsory share exchange, a conversion of a corporation into another business entity and any other transaction having effects substantially similar to a merger under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;
(8) references to “France” are to the French Republic; and
(9) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.
Whenever the covenants or default provisions or definitions in this Indenture refer to an amount in U.S. dollars or euros, that amount will be deemed to refer to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent or Euro Equivalent, as applicable, of the amount of any obligation denominated in any other currency or currencies, including composite currencies.
The U.S. Dollar Equivalent or the Euro Equivalent for any purpose under this Indenture will be determined as of a date of determination as described in the definition of “U.S. Dollar Equivalent” or “Euro Equivalent,” as applicable, in Section 1.01 and, in any case, no subsequent change in the U.S. Dollar Equivalent or the Euro Equivalent after the applicable date of determination will cause such determination to be modified.
38
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. FORM AND DATING.
The Notes shall be issued only in registered form. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. Notes shall be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $200,000 and integral multiples of $1 in excess thereof.
The Notes shall be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture, including for purposes of waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(a) Global Notes. The Original Notes will be offered and sold by the Company pursuant to Section 1145 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (“Section 1145”) pursuant to the Confirmation Order and the Safeguard Plan and will be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Section 1145 Global Note”) without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the Section 1145 legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto. Additional Notes, unless registered with the SEC or exempt from registration under a different exemption, may be resold initially only to (i) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. The Additional Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, Institutional Accredited Investors and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Additional Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”); Additional Notes resold to Institutional Accredited Investors shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “IAI Global Note”); and Additional Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Regulation S Global Note”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted or Regulation S securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The Section 1145 Global Notes, Rule 144A Global Notes, the IAI Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes are collectively referred to herein as the “Global Notes.”
39
The Global Notes shall be deposited upon issuance with The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for the Depositories and registered in the name of the nominee of the Common Depositary for the accounts of Euroclear or Clearstream.
Beneficial interests in the Rule 144A Global Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes or the IAI Global Notes at any time except in the limited circumstances as provided in Section 2.06. Beneficial interests in the IAI Global Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes or the Rule 144A Global Notes at any time except in the limited circumstances provided in Section 2.06. Beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note will be exchangeable for beneficial interests in a Definitive Note only after the expiration of the period through and including the 40th day after the later of the commencement and the closing of an offering in reliance on Regulation S (the “Distribution Compliance Period”) and then only in compliance with the requirements provided for in Section 2.06. Beneficial interests in the Section 1145 Global Note may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes, the Rule 144A Global Notes or the IAI Global Notes at any time except in the limited circumstances provided in Section 2.06. Beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes, the Rule 144A Global Notes or the IAI Global Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Section 1145 Global Note at any time. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for Definitive Notes except in the limited circumstances provided in Section 2.06.
Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein, and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions, repurchases and transfers of interests. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Common Depositary, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
(b) Book-Entry Provisions. Participants shall have no rights either under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Common Depositary or under such Global Note, and the Common Depositary (or its nominee, if the Common Depositary is not the Holder) may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any Agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever (except for the determination of Additional Amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.21 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any Agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note. Ownership interests in the Global Notes will be limited to Participants and Indirect Participants. Book-entry interests in the Global
40
Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained in book-entry form by the Common Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream and their respective Participants. The Applicable Procedures shall be applicable to Book Entry Interests in Global Notes.
SECTION 2.02. EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.
One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If the Company has a corporate seal, it may be reproduced on the Notes and, if so, it may be in facsimile form.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture. The form of Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Notes shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
The Trustee shall authenticate (i) the Original Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $[●], and (ii) Additional Notes (including any Additional Notes issued as PIK Interest pursuant to Section 2.13) for original issue from time to time after the Issue Date subject to compliance with the terms of this Indenture in such principal amounts, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer, which written order shall specify (a) the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date of original issue thereof and (b) the amount of Notes to be issued in global form or definitive form. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed $[●] plus such additional principal amounts as may be issued and authenticated pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company, any Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company.
SECTION 2.03. REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.
The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the continental United States where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Transfer Agent”), where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”) and a registrar (the “Registrar”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. So long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of such stock exchange shall so require, the Company shall maintain a transfer agent in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The Company may at any time appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents or transfer agents. The term
41
“Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may at any time change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not named in this Indenture. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture, and such agreement shall incorporate the TIA’s provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Company initially appoints (i) the Trustee to act as Paying Agent at its Corporate Trust Office in London, England, and to act as Common Depositary with respect to the Global Notes and (ii) The Bank of New York Xxxxxx XX/NV, Luxembourg Branch, to act as Registrar and as Transfer Agent in Luxembourg.
SECTION 2.04. PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY AS BANKER.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold as banker for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default described in clause (j), (k) or (l) of Section 6.01 hereof, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
SECTION 2.05. HOLDER LISTS.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the TIA. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the TIA.
SECTION 2.06. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of the Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a
42
beneficial interest in the same Global Note in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and, in the case of a Transfer Restricted Security, the transfer restrictions set forth in the legend in subsection (e) of this Section 2.06. None of the Trustee or any Agent shall be responsible for monitoring any intra-Note transfers. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes to Persons required to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in another Restricted Global Note shall be permitted as follows:
(i) Rule 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note to IAI Global Note. If an owner of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, wishes to transfer its beneficial interest in such Rule 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, to a Person who is required or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in a separate IAI Global Note, such owner shall, subject to the Applicable Procedures, exchange or cause the exchange of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in such separate IAI Global Note as provided for in this Section 2.06(a)(i). Upon receipt by the Trustee of (A) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Registrar and the Common Depositary to credit a beneficial interest in the separate IAI Global Note equal to the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, to be transferred, and (B) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto from the transferor and a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto from the transferee and, if such transfer is in respect of an aggregate principal amount of Notes of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky laws of any state of the United States, then the Registrar shall adjust the register and the Common Depositary, shall reduce the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Rule 144A Global Note, Regulations S Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, and increase the aggregate principal amount of the IAI Global Note by the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note to be transferred.
(ii) Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note to Regulation S Global Note. If an owner of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, wishes to transfer its beneficial interest in such Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, to a Person who is required or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether or not before or after the Distribution Compliance Period, such owner shall, subject to the Applicable Procedures, exchange or cause the exchange of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note as provided in this Section 2.06(a)(ii). Upon receipt by the Trustee of (A) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Registrar and the Common Depositary to credit a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to
43
the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, to be transferred and (B) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto given by the owner of such beneficial interest stating that the transfer of such interest has been made in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, then the Registrar shall adjust the register and the Common Depositary shall reduce the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note and increase the aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note by the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note to be transferred.
(iii) Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note to Rule 144A Global Note. If an owner of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, wishes to transfer its beneficial interest in such Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, to a Person who is required or permitted to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in a separate Rule 144A Global Note, such owner shall, subject to the Applicable Procedures, exchange or cause the exchange of such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in such separate Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note as provided in this Section 2.06(a)(iii). Upon receipt by the Trustee of (A) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Registrar and the Common Depositary, to credit a beneficial interest in the separate Rule 144A Global Note equal to the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, to be transferred, and (B) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached hereto given by the owner of such beneficial interest stating that the Person transferring such interest reasonably believes that the Person acquiring such interest is a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) (a “QIB”) and is obtaining such beneficial interest in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, then the Registrar shall adjust the register and the Common Depositary shall reduce the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, and increase the aggregate principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note by the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note to be transferred.
Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the other Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and will become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures applicable to beneficial interest in such other Global Note for so long as it remains such an interest.
44
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes. If issued, Definitive Notes may not be exchanged or transferred for beneficial interests in a Global Note. When Definitive Notes are presented by a Holder to the Registrar with a request to register the transfer of the Definitive Notes or to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested only if the Definitive Notes are presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, are endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing, and the Registrar receives the following (all of which may be submitted by facsimile):
(i) such request shall be accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, or such Definitive Notes are being transferred (1) to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (2) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto);
(B) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to a Person the transferor reasonably believes is a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto);
(C) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 under Regulation S of the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto but containing the certification called for by clauses (1) through (4) of Exhibit B-1 hereto); or
(D) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraph (B) or (C) above, a certification to that effect from such Holder (substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto), and a certification substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto from the transferee, and, if such transfer is in respect of an aggregate principal amount of Notes of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Registrar that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky laws of any state of the United States.
45
(c) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Common Depositary to a nominee of the Common Depositary or by a nominee of the Common Depositary to the Common Depositary or another nominee of the Common Depositary or by the Common Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Common Depositary or a nominee of such successor Common Depositary.
(d) Authentication of Definitive Notes in Absence of Depository or at Company’s Election. If at any time (i) the Depository for the Notes notifies the Company that the Depository is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the Global Notes and a successor Depository for the Global Notes is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice, (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes or (iii) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and the Depository so requests, then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, authenticate and deliver Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes. Definitive Notes issued in exchange for beneficial interests in the Global Notes pursuant to this Section 2.06(d) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository, pursuant to instructions from its direct or Indirect Participants or otherwise (in accordance with its customary procedures), shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.
(e) Restrictive Legends.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing a Global Note or a Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) offered otherwise than in reliance on Section 1145 or Regulation S will, until the expiration of the applicable holding period with respect to the notes set forth in Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the holder thereof, bear a legend substantially to the following effect (the “Restricted Notes Legend”):
“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
46
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT TO A PERSON WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (V) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.”
The Notes offered in reliance on Regulation S will, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the holder thereof, bear a legend substantially to the following effect (the “Regulation S Legend”):
“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”
47
Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend (the “Definitive Notes Legend”):
“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER SHALL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act:
(A) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is a Definitive Note, the Holder thereof may exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legend set forth in (i) above and any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security may be removed upon certification from the transferring holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto and receipt of an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Registrar that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act; and
(B) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note, such Transfer Restricted Security shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in (i) above, but shall continue to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(a) hereof.
(iii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note) in reliance on any exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (other than an exemption pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act) in which the Holder or the transferee provides an Opinion of Counsel to the Company and the Registrar in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Registrar (which Opinion of Counsel shall also state that the transfer restrictions contained in the legend are no longer applicable):
(A) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is a Definitive Note, the Holder thereof may exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legend set forth in (i) above and any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security may be removed; and
(B) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note, such Transfer Restricted Security shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in (i) above, but shall continue to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(a) hereof.
48
(f) Section 1145 Legend. Each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) offered in reliance on Section 1145 shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE HAVE BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 1145 OF THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY CODE, AS AMENDED (THE “BANKRUPTCY CODE”) THAT PROVIDES AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND APPLICABLE STATE STATUTES.”
(g) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Notes have been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, all Global Notes shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes or a beneficial interest in another Global Note, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar to reflect such increase.
(h) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, subject to this Section 2.06, the Company shall execute and, upon the written order of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.07, 4.12, 4.17 and 9.05 hereof).
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.06, prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial interests in Regulation S Global Notes may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream, unless transferred to a Person that takes delivery through a Rule 144A Global Note or IAI Global Note in accordance with Section 2.06(a)(ii) hereof.
(iv) All Definitive Notes and Global Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes or Global Notes shall be the valid
49
obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Definitive Notes or Global Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Company and the Registrar shall not be required:
(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;
(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or
(C) to register the transfer of a Note other than in amounts of $200,000 or multiple integrals of $1 in excess thereof.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium, if any, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, on such Notes, and neither the Trustee, any Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
SECTION 2.07. REPLACEMENT NOTES.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Registrar in Luxembourg, or the Trustee or the Registrar in Luxembourg receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon the written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Registrar in Luxembourg, as applicable, and the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee or the Registrar in Luxembourg, as applicable, and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note. If, after the delivery of such replacement Note, a bona fide purchaser of the Original Note in lieu of which such replacement Note was issued presents for payment or registration such Original Note, the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such replacement Note from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking therefrom, except a bona fide purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent in connection therewith.
50
Subject to the provisions of the final sentence of the preceding paragraph of this Section 2.07, every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
SECTION 2.08. OUTSTANDING NOTES.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or an Affiliate of the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the entire principal of and premium, if any, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on any Note are considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue as of the date of such payment.
SECTION 2.09. TREASURY NOTES.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Parent, a Subsidiary of the Parent or an Affiliate of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Trustee has been notified in writing are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that the Parent, a Subsidiary of the Parent or an Affiliate of the Company offers to purchase or acquires pursuant to an offer, exchange offer, tender offer or otherwise shall not be deemed to be owned by the Parent, a Subsidiary of the Parent or an Affiliate of the Company until legal title to such Notes passes to the Parent, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate, as the case may be.
SECTION 2.10. TEMPORARY NOTES.
Until Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
51
SECTION 2.11. CANCELLATION.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and, at the written request of the Company, shall destroy cancelled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Company upon its written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 2.12. DEFAULTED INTEREST.
(a) If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided, however, that no such special record date shall be less than ten days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.13. PIK INTEREST.
(a) In the event that the Company pays PIK Interest (including, for avoidance of doubt, the Rollover Fee) as set forth in the Notes, the Company shall issue Additional Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of interest then due and owing as PIK Interest as follows:
(i) with respect to Notes represented by one or more Global Notes, by (A) increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Global Notes, effective as of the applicable interest payment date, by an amount equal to the amount of Additional Notes for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest $1) or (B) by issuing Additional Notes in the form of Global Notes, dated as of the applicable interest payment date, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest $1); and
(ii) with respect to Notes represented by Definitive Notes, by issuing Additional Notes in the form of Definitive Notes, dated as of the applicable interest payment date, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest $1).
52
(b) The Company will, if required by the rules and regulations of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, promptly deliver a notice to the holders of the Notes stating the amount of PIK Interest, if any, to be paid either by publication in a leading newspaper having a general circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort) or post such notice on the official website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
(c) Following an increase in the principal amount of the outstanding Global Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest in the form of Additional Notes, the Global Notes will bear interest on such increased principal amount from and after the applicable interest payment date. Any Additional Notes issued in the form of Definitive Notes or Global Notes will be dated as of the applicable interest payment date and will bear interest from and after such date. Additional Notes issued pursuant to a payment of PIK Interest will have identical terms to the originally issued Notes except interest on such Additional Notes will begin to accrue from the date they are issued rather than the Issue Date.
(d) The Trustee (or its authenticating agent) will, following receipt of an authentication order signed by an Officer of the Company, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes in the form of Definitive Notes or Global Notes for original issuance to the Holders on the relevant record date, as shown by the records of the register of Holders.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE; RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL
SECTION 3.01. NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, subject to Section 3.03, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.
SECTION 3.02. SELECTION OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes as follows: (i) if the Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or (ii) if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the procedures of the applicable depository, if any. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.
53
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes selected shall be in amounts of $200,000 or whole multiples of $1 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs of this Section 3.02 shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a Global Note, whether a Global Note is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Global Note shall be in an authorized denomination.
SECTION 3.03. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. For so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and for so long as the rules of such exchange require, notices of redemption shall be published once by the Trustee, not less than five Business Days prior to the redemption date, in a newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg, which newspaper may be the Luxemburger Wort, or if such newspaper ceases to be published or timely publication in it will not be practicable, in such other newspaper as the Trustee deems necessary to give fair and reasonable notice to the Holders of the Notes. Notices may also be published on the internet site of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at xxxx://xxx.xxxxxx.xx.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;
(b) the redemption price and any Applicable Premium;
(c) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon surrender and cancellation of the Original Note;
(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
54
(g) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the ISIN/Common Code number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
If any of the Notes to be redeemed is in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to redemption, and such notice will be given electronically.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days (unless the Company and the Trustee agree to a shorter period) prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the second preceding paragraph.
SECTION 3.04. EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, or all conditions to a conditional redemption have been satisfied, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Other than with respect to a redemption pursuant to Section 3.07(d), any notice of redemption may, in the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one of more conditions precedent.
SECTION 3.05. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.
No later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.04 hereof) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
55
SECTION 3.06. NOTES REDEEMED IN PART.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense and direction of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
SECTION 3.07. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
(a) The Company may at any time on or prior to [●], 2018, unconditionally redeem, in whole but not in part, the Notes at its option at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption.
(b) At any time after [●], 20184, but on or prior to [●], 20215, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date of redemption.
(c) At any time after [●], 20216, the Company shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the applicable redemption date.
(d) The Company may at any time redeem unconditionally, in whole but not in part, the Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption (a “Tax Redemption Date”) and all Additional Amounts (as defined in Section 4.21), if any, then due and which will become due on the Tax Redemption Date as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if the Company or any Guarantor determines, acting reasonably and in good faith, that it has become or would become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes as a result of:
(i) (1) any change in or amendment to the laws or treaties (or regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction to tax, or (2) any change in or amendment to any official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, treaties, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced and becomes effective on or after the date of this Indenture (or, if the applicable Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction on a date after the date of the Indenture, such later date) (any such change in (1) or (2) above, a “Change in Tax Law”), and
(ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company or any such Guarantor taking reasonable measures available to it.
4 | The six month anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date. |
5 | The third anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date. |
6 | The third anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date. |
56
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07(d) may be given earlier than 60 days’ prior to the earliest date on which the Company could be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts if a payment in respect of the Notes or the Note Guarantees was then due.
(f) Prior to giving notice of any such redemption pursuant to Section 3.07(d), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (y) an Officers’ Certificate stating that it is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to its right to redeem have been satisfied and that the obligation to pay Additional Amounts cannot be avoided by the Company or any such Guarantor taking reasonable measures available to it and (z) an Opinion of Counsel of an independent legal counsel of internationally recognized standing qualified under the laws of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction to the effect that the Company (as issuer), Guarantor or any successor entity has been or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts as a result of a Change of Tax Law.
(g) The Trustee will accept and shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent described above, without further enquiry, in which event it will be conclusive and binding on the Holders.
(h) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.
SECTION 3.08. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.
Except as set forth under Sections 4.12 and 4.17 hereof and, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with any acceleration of the Notes pursuant to Section 6.02 hereof, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
SECTION 3.09. OFFER TO PURCHASE BY APPLICATION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS.
In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, the Holders shall have the right to require the Company to purchase Notes pursuant to an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”), the Company shall follow the procedures specified below.
The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes validly tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as principal payments are made at Stated Maturity. The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or suffer to exist any agreement that would place any restriction of any kind (other than pursuant to law or regulation) on the ability of the Company to make an Asset Sale Offer. Further,
57
the Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of Notes as a result of an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions relating to an Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described above by virtue thereof.
If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.
Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail, a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
(a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.12 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;
(b) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(c) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;
(d) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
(e) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may only elect to have all of such Note purchased and may not elect to have only a portion of such Note purchased;
(f) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, to the Company or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;
(g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, no later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Xxxxxx is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
58
(h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the procedures of the applicable depository, if any (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $200,000, or integral multiples of $1 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and
(i) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).
If any of the Notes subject to an Asset Sale Offer is in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to repurchases.
On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee shall authenticate upon the written instruction of the Company and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.
SECTION 3.10. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL
(a) Three Business Days prior to the launch of any debt syndication (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include a debt syndication pursuant to Rule 144A) or placement using capacity to incur Pari Passu Secured Debt pursuant to clause (b)(ii) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness (“New Debt”), the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee and beneficial owners of the Notes of its intention to hold meetings with potential debt investors and will invite beneficial owners of the Notes to participate in the syndication or placement process by contacting the Company or its
59
investment banking representative at an address specified in the notice; provided that in any placement where the Company has agreed with the financing providers to a Pricing (as defined below) that does not exceed the All-In Yield (determined as described below, the “All-In Yield”) in respect of the Notes (a “Direct Placement”), such written notice shall not be required.
(b) At any time during such debt syndication or placement process in respect of the New Debt (other than a Direct Placement), upon the request of any Person that represents that it is a beneficial owner of Notes (a screen shot of such beneficial owner’s custodian account, a recently-dated letter from its custodian and/or proof of the custodian’s holding in the relevant clearing system shall constitute sufficient evidence for this purpose) and that its participation in such syndication or placement process will not be in violation of applicable securities laws, the Company shall promptly provide such Person with any marketing or syndication materials used in the syndication or placement of the New Debt to other potential investors, and invite such person to attend any roadshow or other marketing meetings held with senior management of the Company and other potential investors at reasonable times and locations.
(c) Prior to the signing of a definitive underwriting, purchase or placement agreement, or definitive loan documentation, in respect of New Debt (a “Pricing”), where the market-clearing price for such New Debt represents an All-In Yield that exceeds the All-In Yield in respect of the Notes, the Company shall set the market-clearing price based on indications of interest from all potential investors (including beneficial owners of the Notes) and shall accept orders to subscribe for such New Debt at such price from beneficial owners of the Notes in priority to other potential investors’ orders. Pricing of the New Debt (other than a Direct Placement) shall occur no earlier than the third Business Day following launch of any syndication, or the fifth Business Day following launch of any private placement, in respect of the New Debt. In determining the All-In Yield of both the New Debt and the Notes, (i) original issue discount, arrangement fees, underwriting fees, upfront fees or any other similar fees paid in connection with the New Debt (based on a four-year life to maturity or less remaining life to maturity) shall be included and (ii) any interest rate floor applicable to the New Debt and/or the Notes (as the case may be) on the date of Pricing shall be equated to interest margin for determining the applicable All-In Yield; provided that any original issue discount, arrangement, underwriting, upfront or any other similar fees (“Fees”) payable in connection with the New Debt shall be excluded from such determination to the extent such amounts are (x) paid as consideration for arranging or underwriting the syndication or placement of the New Debt, and not paid as compensation for lending and (y) not shared generally with, or paid away to, other lenders. Any fees that are not excluded pursuant to clause (x) or (y) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be paid to beneficial owners of the Notes subscribing for the New Debt on a pro rata basis to their subscription for the New Debt at the same time and on the same terms as which such Fees are paid to other lenders under the New Debt.
(d) In the event that there is oversubscription from the beneficial owners of the Notes for the New Debt and a beneficial owner of the Notes elects to subscribe for an amount of New Debt (other than a Direct Placement) that exceeds its pro rata holding of
60
the Notes, such beneficial owner’s subscription amount shall be scaled back to its pro rata holding (it being understood and agreed that any third parties who are not beneficial owners of the Notes shall be scaled back in full before there is any scale back applied to the beneficial owners of the Notes).
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. PAYMENT OF NOTES.
The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts, if any, shall be considered paid on the date due if a Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at a rate that is 2% per annum higher than the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at such higher rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.02. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.
The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the continental United States and, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03 hereof, in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in the continental United States or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. Further, if at any time there shall be no such office or agency in the continental United States where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, the Company shall forthwith designate and maintain such an office or agency in the continental United States, in order that the Notes shall at all times be payable in the continental United States. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
61
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.
SECTION 4.03. REPORTS.
(a) So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Parent will file with the SEC (if the Parent is required to do so by the rules and regulations of the SEC), and will in any event deliver to the Trustee and post to its investor relations website:
(i) within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations and in any event no later than 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (or if such day is not a Business Day, the first Business Day thereafter), all annual financial and other information with respect to the Parent and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Form 20-F, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and a report thereon by the Parent’s certified independent accountants, and
(ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first and third quarters of each Fiscal Year (and within 75 days after the end of the second quarter of each Fiscal Year), reports (on Form 6-K, or any successor form if the Parent is required to do so by the rules and regulations of the SEC), attaching (a) unaudited consolidated financial statements for the Parent for the period then ended (and the comparable period in the prior year), in each case prepared in accordance with IFRS (as in effect on the date of such report or financial information) and (b) the information relating to the Parent described in Item 5 of Form 20-F (i.e., Operating and Financial Review and Prospects).
Unless the Parent is required to do so by the rules and regulations of the SEC, it need not comply with the applicable SEC form requirements, including, in particular, an auditor’s report on internal control over financial reporting, a financial statement audit in compliance with US GAAS (an annual financial statement audit in compliance with IFRS and a report thereon by the Parent’s certified independent accountants will, however, be required as described above), interactive data tagging or publication of exhibits.
The Company and the Parent shall at all times comply with Section 314(a) of the TIA.
(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding and during any period during which the Parent is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act nor exempt therefrom pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act, the Company and the Guarantors shall furnish to the holders of the Notes and prospective purchasers of the Notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
62
(c) For so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of such stock exchange so require, the information referred to in Section 4.03(a) hereof shall also be made available, free of charge in Luxembourg through the offices of the Transfer Agent in Luxembourg.
(d) Delivery of reports to the SEC or receipt by the Trustee of the documents specified in this Section 4.03 shall not constitute actual or constructive notice to the Trustee, or actual or constructive knowledge by the Trustee, of the contents of such documents.
SECTION 4.04. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.
(a) The Parent shall deliver to the Trustee and post to its investor relations website, at the same time as filing and/or delivering each of the reports specified in Sections 4.03(a)(i) and (ii), an Officers’ Certificate signed by the authorized officers of the Parent stating: (i) that a review of the activities of the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding Fiscal Year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company and the Parent have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their respective obligations under this Indenture; (ii) as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company and the Parent have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company and/or the Parent is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company and/or the Parent is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; (iii) set out the cash and cash equivalents (as defined under IFRS) position of the Group on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the quarter or Fiscal Year then ended; (iv) the amount of the Available Amount as of the end of the fiscal period then ended and the aggregate utilization of the Available Amount during such period and (v) the Parent’s Excess Cash Flow for the Fiscal Year then ended.
(b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or its equivalent body in France, as the case may be, the Fiscal Year-end financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.03(a) above shall be accompanied by a written statement of the Parent’s independent public accountants (who shall be a firm of established international reputation) that in making the examination necessary for certification of such financial statements, nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that any violation provisions of Article 4 or Article 5 hereof has occurred or, if any such violation has occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.
63
(c) The Company and the Parent shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company and/or the Parent is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 4.05. TAXES.
The Parent shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
SECTION 4.06. FINANCIAL MAINTENANCE COVENANT.
Parent shall ensure that the financial condition of the Group shall be such that for each Relevant Period, the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents (as defined under IFRS) on the relevant Quarter Date must be no less than $185,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) as at each Quarter Date. The covenant set out in this Section 4.06 shall be tested only by reference to, and as at the date of, each of the financial statements and/or each Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or 4.04, respectively.
SECTION 4.07. LOANS OR CREDIT.
(a) Except as permitted under Section 4.07(b), the Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, be a creditor in respect of any Financial Indebtedness.
(b) Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to a Permitted Loan.
SECTION 4.08. NO GUARANTEES OR INDEMNITIES.
(a) Except as permitted under Section 4.08(b), the Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of Restricted Subsidiary to, incur, or allow to remain outstanding, any guarantee in respect of any obligation of any person.
(b) Section 4.08(a) shall not apply to a guarantee which is a Permitted Guarantee.
SECTION 4.09. DIVIDENDS AND SHARE REDEMPTION.
(a) Except as permitted under Section 4.09(b), the Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of Restricted Subsidiary to, (i) declare, make or pay any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend, charge, fee or other distribution) (whether in cash or in kind) on, or in respect of its share capital (or any class of its share capital), (ii) repay or distribute any dividend or share premium reserve, (iii) pay any management, advisory or other fee to, or to the order of, any shareholder holding
64
10% or more of the Equity Interests of the Parent or (iv) redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its share capital or resolve to do so (any of the transactions described in clauses (i) through (iv) above, a “Restricted Payment”).
(b) Section 4.09(a) shall not apply to the following: (i) any dividend or share redemption constituting a Permitted Share Issue may be made, (ii)(x) any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent may pay dividends or return capital to the Parent or any wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent and (y) any non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent may pay cash dividends to its shareholders generally so long as the Parent or its respective subsidiary which owns the ownership interests in the subsidiary paying such dividends receives at least its proportionate share thereof (based upon its relative holding of the ownership interests in the subsidiary paying such dividends and taking into account the relative preferences, if any, of the various classes of ownership interests of such subsidiary), (iii) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, Parent may pay cash in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Parent’s common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests, (iv) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, Parent may repurchase its common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests (and/or options or warrants in respect thereof) pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of any employment agreement, plan or arrangement of a type described in clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Share Issue; provided that the aggregate amount of cash paid in respect of all such repurchases in any calendar year pursuant to this subclause (iv) does not exceed $3,500,000; (v) the Parent may issue and exchange shares of any class or series of its common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests now or hereafter outstanding; (vi) Parent may, in connection with any reclassification of its common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests and any exchange permitted by clause (v) above, pay cash in de minimis amounts per share in lieu of issuing fractional shares of any class or series of its common or perpetual preferred Equity Interests; (vii) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make other Restricted Payments in cash or in kind in an aggregate amount less than or equal to, when aggregated with all other such Restricted Payments made after the Restructuring Effective Date, $15,000,000, plus the Available Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied at the time such transaction is consummated.
(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments or Investments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment or Investment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Parent or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment or Investment. The fair market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment or Investment shall be determined in the manner contemplated by the definition of fair market value, and the results of such determination shall be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee. No later than ten Business Days following the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Parent shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required under the definition of Restricted Payment were computed.
65
SECTION 4.10. DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.
The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to do any of the following: (a)(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary on its Capital Stock or (ii) pay any Financial Indebtedness owed to the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary; (b) make loans or advances to the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary or (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (1) agreements governing Credit Facilities or Existing Indebtedness, and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that such agreements and amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially less favorable to the holders of the Notes, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained, in the case of Credit Facilities, in agreements governing Credit Facilities or, in the case of Existing Indebtedness, in agreements governing such Existing Indebtedness, in either case as in effect on the date of this Indenture, (2) this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees, (3) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Equity Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition, (4) any instrument governing Financial Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Financial Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Financial Indebtedness, such Financial Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred, (5) by reason of customary provisions restricting the subletting or assignment of any lease or the transfer of copyrighted or patented materials, (6) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the property so acquired, (7) customary provisions in agreements for the sale of property or assets, (8) customary provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreements or rights thereunder, (9) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in any joint venture agreement, assets sale agreement, stock sale agreement or other similar agreement in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business, but in each case only to the extent such encumbrance or restriction relates to the transfer of the property, or encumbers or restricts the assets, subject to such agreement, (10) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (11) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially less favorable to the Holders, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Financial Indebtedness being refinanced, (12) any Liens not prohibited by Section 4.14 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens, or (13) applicable law.
66
SECTION 4.11. FINANCIAL INDEBTEDNESS.
(a) Except as permitted under Section 4.11(b) below, the Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, incur, or allow to remain outstanding, any Financial Indebtedness.
(b) Section 4.11(a) shall not apply to Financial Indebtedness which is Permitted Financial Indebtedness; provided, however, that if the Company or any Guarantor is an obligor with respect to any unsecured Financial Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to clauses (b)(viii), (l) (but only with respect to local working capital facilities) or (j) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness, then such Financial Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes or such Guarantor’s obligations under its Note Guarantee, as applicable.
(c) The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of Restricted Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist any Lien (other than a Lien permitted under clauses (q) or (v) of the definition of Permitted Liens) over bank accounts used for the purposes of cash-pooling arrangements within the Group other than under the Collateral.
SECTION 4.12. ASSET SALES.
The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (a) the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in accordance with the definition of such term, the results of which determination shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and (b) other than for Qualifying Business Disposals, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalent Investments; provided, however, that the amount of (i) any liabilities (as shown on the Parent’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet) of the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any guarantee thereof) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability, (ii) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted within 180 days by the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received in that conversion) and (iii) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value (determined in accordance with the definition of such term under Section 1.01, the results of which determination shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee) taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this covenant that is at that time
67
outstanding, not to exceed $20,000,000 (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this Section 4.12.
Within 60 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, such Net Proceeds may be applied (a) to redeem the Notes (subject, for the avoidance of doubt, to the provisions of Section 3.07 hereof), (b) to repurchase Notes in an offer to purchase Notes and, at the option of the Parent, any Pari Passu Secured Debt at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of purchase, otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 hereof (and to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to such offer is less than the amount that the Company has offered to purchase, the Company may use any such remaining Net Proceeds for general corporate purposes in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture) or (c) acquire (including by way of a purchase of assets or of a majority of the Voting Stock of a Person, by merger, consolidation or otherwise) Strategic Assets; provided that if the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary has a bona fide intention in good faith to consummate an acquisition of Strategic Assets using the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale prior to the end of the 60-day reinvestment period described in this sentence and provides an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating such intention, such 60-day reinvestment period shall automatically extend by an additional 305 days; provided further that if the assets sold or transferred in connection with any Asset Sale constitute Collateral, (i) any investment in Strategic Assets using the Net Proceeds thereof shall be carried out by the Company or a Guarantor, and (ii) the Parent shall pledge, or shall cause the applicable Obligor to pledge, in either case no later than 30 days after the consummation of such investment, any Strategic Assets acquired with such Net Proceeds to secure the Notes on a first-ranking basis, subject to the Agreed Security Principles. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this paragraph shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.”
Within 30 days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20,000,000, the Company shall commence an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 3.09 hereof to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 hereof; provided, however, that, if the Company is required to apply such Excess Proceeds to purchase, or to offer to purchase, any Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Company shall only be required to offer to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the amount of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding. To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to repay, redeem or repurchase
68
Junior Debt) in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the procedures of the applicable depository, if any (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $200,000, or integral multiples of $1 in excess thereof, shall be purchased). Upon completion of an Asset Sale Offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or suffer to exist any agreement that would place any restriction of any kind (other than pursuant to law or regulation) on the ability of the Company to make an Asset Sale Offer.
The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of Notes as a result of an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions relating to the Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described above by virtue thereof.
SECTION 4.13. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.
The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless (a) such Affiliate Transaction is in writing and on terms that, when taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the Parent or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or, if there is no such comparable transaction, on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) the Parent delivers to the Trustee (i) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $2,000,000, an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (a) above and (ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5,000,000, a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (a) above and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors and (iii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $17,000,000, an opinion as to the fairness to the Parent or the relevant Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm that is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, qualified to render such opinion and is independent with respect to the Parent; provided, however, that the following shall be deemed not to
69
be Affiliate Transactions: (A) any employment agreement or other employee compensation plan or arrangement (including stock option plans) entered into by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business of the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary; (B) transactions between or among the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any such transaction); (C) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices of the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $7,500,000 outstanding at any one time; (D) indemnities of officers, directors and employees of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted by provisions of the organizational documents of the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary or applicable law; (E) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to directors of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary who are not employees of the Parent or any Subsidiary; (F) any agreement or arrangement in effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof or any transaction contemplated thereby (including pursuant to any amendment or replacement agreement) so long as any such amendment or replacement agreement, taken as a whole, is no more disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date; (G) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof and Permitted Investments; and (H) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of the Parent solely because the Parent owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person.
SECTION 4.14. LIENS.
The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except, (i) in the case of property or assets not constituting Collateral, Permitted Liens, to secure (a) any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary (if it is not also a Guarantor), unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the Notes are equally and ratably secured, or (b) any Financial Indebtedness of any Guarantor, unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor is equally and ratably secured (provided, however, that if such Financial Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee, the Lien securing such Financial Indebtedness will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing the Notes or the Note Guarantee, as the case may be, with the same relative priority as such Financial Indebtedness has with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantee) and (ii) in the case of property or assets constituting Collateral, Permitted Collateral Liens.
SECTION 4.15. GUARANTEES OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INDEBTEDNESS BY RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.
The Parent shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to guarantee any Financial Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (the “Other Company Indebtedness”) other than Permitted Guarantees, unless such Restricted Subsidiary (if it is not already a Guarantor) contemporaneously executes and delivers a
70
Note Guarantee and a supplemental indenture to this Indenture in accordance with the terms of Section 10.02 hereof, which Note Guarantee will be senior to such Restricted Subsidiary’s guarantee of such Other Company Indebtedness if such Other Company Indebtedness so guaranteed is subordinated Financial Indebtedness.
SECTION 4.16. CORPORATE EXISTENCE.
Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company and the Parent shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect their respective corporate existence, and, subject to Article 10 hereof, the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Restricted Subsidiary, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company, the Parent or any such Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company and the Parent shall not be required to preserve the existence of any Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Company), if the Parent shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Parent and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
SECTION 4.17. OFFER TO PURCHASE UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any portion (equal to $200,000 or an integral multiple of $1 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes, pursuant to an offer described in this Section 4.17 (a “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company shall give notice to each Holder and the Trustee stating: (1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.17 and that all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn will be accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days but no later than 60 days from the date such notice is given (the “Change of Control Payment Date”); (3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest; (4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, properly endorsed for transfer, together with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed and such customary documents as the Company may reasonably request, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date; (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, no later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Hoxxxx xs withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and (7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the
71
unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $200,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1 in excess thereof. If any of the Notes subject to a Change of Control Offer is in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to repurchases. Further, the Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the purchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions relating to the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described above by virtue thereof.
(b) On or before 10:00 a.m. New York time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (a) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (b) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered and (c) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent shall promptly deliver to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided, however, that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $200,000 or an integral multiple of $1 in excess thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
(c) The Change of Control provisions described above shall be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.
(d) The foregoing provisions of this Section 4.17 that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control shall be applicable regardless of whether any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable. The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
(e) The provisions of this Section 4.17 relating to the Company’s obligation to make a Change of Control Offer may be waived or modified, prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, with the written consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
72
SECTION 4.18. ISSUANCES AND SALES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.
The Parent (i) shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, transfer, convey, sell or otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person (other than the Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary) and (ii) shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any of its Equity Interests to any Person other than to the Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary (except, in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) above, as required in the manner described in clause (b) under the definition of Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the business and management of the Restricted Subsidiary is, by contract or otherwise, controlled by the Parent), unless:
(1) the Net Proceeds from such issuance, transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with Section 4.12 hereof; and
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition, such Restricted Subsidiary either continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary or, if such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, any remaining Investment in such Restricted Subsidiary would have been permitted to be made under Section 4.09 hereof if made on the date of such transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition.
For purposes of this Section 4.18, the creation or perfection of a Lien on any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to secure any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be a disposition of such Capital Stock; provided, however, any sale by the secured party of such Capital Stock following foreclosure of its Lien shall be subject to this Section 4.18.
SECTION 4.19. SALE-AND-LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS.
The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any sale-and-leaseback transaction (other than a Galileo Transaction); provided, however, that the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, may enter into a sale-and-leaseback transaction if (i) the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary could have (a) incurred Junior Debt relating to such sale-and-leaseback transaction pursuant to the Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence test set forth in the definition thereof and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Financial Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.14 hereof, (ii) the gross cash proceeds of such sale-and-leaseback transaction are at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in accordance with the definition of such term, the results of which determination shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the property that is the subject of such sale-and-leaseback transaction and (iii) the transfer of assets in such sale-and-leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.12 hereof, if applicable.
SECTION 4.20. NO INDUCEMENTS.
The Parent shall not, and the Parent shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, to pay (or cause to be paid) any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver,
73
amendment or supplement of any terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes, unless such consideration is offered to be paid (or agreed to be paid) to all Holders which so consent, waive or agree to amend or supplement in the time frame set forth on solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
SECTION 4.21. ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS
All payments made by or on behalf of the Company or any Guarantor under or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge (including without limitation, penalties, interest and any other liability with respect thereto) (“Taxes”), unless the Company or any Guarantor (or any Paying Agent) is required to withhold or deduct Taxes by law or by the interpretation or administration thereof by the relevant taxing authority. If the Company or any Guarantor (or any Paying Agent) is so required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of Taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which the Company or any Guarantor (including any successor entities) is then organized or resident for Tax purposes or any political subdivision thereof or therein or any jurisdiction by or through which payment is made (each, a “Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction”) from any payment made under or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, the Company or any such Guarantor will pay to each Holder of the Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment, such additional amounts (in the form of (x) in the case of PIK Interest, additional PIK Interest and (y) in other cases, cash) (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received by such Holder (including the Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction will not be less than the amount such Holder would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted, provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to any Note:
(a) surrendered by the Holder or the beneficial owner thereof for payment of principal more than 30 days after the later of (1) the date on which such payment first became due and (2) if the full amount payable has not been received by or on behalf of the relevant Holder or the beneficial owner on or prior to such due date, the date on which, the full amount having been so received, notice to that effect shall have been given to the Holders or the beneficial owners by the Trustee, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts on surrendering such Note for payment on any day during the applicable 30-day period;
(b) if any Tax, assessment or other governmental charge is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure to comply by the Holder or, if different, the beneficial owner of the Note with a request addressed to such Holder or beneficial owner to provide information, documents or other evidence concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of such Holder or beneficial owner which is required or imposed by a statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or governmental charge;
74
(c) held by or on behalf of a Holder or beneficial owner who is liable for Taxes in respect of such Note by reason of having some connection with the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction other than the mere purchase, holding or disposition of any Note, or the receipt of payments made by or on behalf of the Company or any Guarantor in respect thereof or any Note Guarantee, including, without limitation, such Holder or beneficial owner being or having been a citizen or resident thereof or being or having been present or engaged in a trade or business therein or having had a permanent establishment therein;
(d) on account of any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or other similar Tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(e) except in the case of the winding up of the Company or any Guarantor, if such Note is surrendered for payment in the Republic of France;
(f) on account of any Taxes that are payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from a payment with respect to the Notes or Note Guarantees;
(g) with respect to any payment made by or on behalf of the Company or any Guarantor in respect of any Note or Note Guarantee to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor or beneficial owner would not have been entitled to any Additional Amounts had such beneficiary or settlor or beneficial owner been the Holder;
(h) on account of any Tax that is imposed pursuant to sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”), any regulations or other official guidance thereunder, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection therewith, any similar law or regulation adopted pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement between a non-U.S. jurisdiction and the United States with respect to any of the foregoing, or any agreements entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (any such Tax, “FATCA Withholding”);
(i) on account of any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed as a result of (1) Holder’s or beneficial owner’s past or present actual or constructive ownership of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (2) such Holder’s or beneficial owner’s being a bank receiving such interest pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business as described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (3) such Holder’s or beneficial owner’s being a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of section 957 of the Code that is related to the Company within the meaning of section 864(d)(4) of the Code, or (4) the Holder’s or beneficial owner’s failure to fulfil the statement requirements of Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code;
75
(j) for or on account of any Tax, duty, assessment or governmental charge imposed by reason of the Holder’s or beneficial owner’s past or present status (or the past or present status of a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such Holder or beneficial owner, if such Holder or beneficial owner is an estate, a trust, a partnership or a corporation) as a personal holding company, passive foreign investment company, or controlled foreign corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, or as a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;
(k) when such withholding or deduction for French taxes is required to be made by reason of that payment being (x) paid to a bank account opened in a financial institution established in, or (y) paid or accrued to a person established or domiciled in, a non-cooperative State or territory (Etat ou territoire non-coopératif) as defined in Article 238-0 A of the French Code général des impôts;
(l) when such withholding or deduction for French taxes is required to be made by reason of the Holder or the beneficial owner of the Note concurrently being a shareholder of the Company or of any Guarantor; or
(m) on account of any combination of the above.
The Company or any Guarantor will also make such withholding or deduction and remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law. The Company will furnish, within 60 days after the date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, to the Trustee, copies of tax receipts (to the extent received from the relevant tax authorities in the usual course or as generally provided) evidencing that such payment has been made by the Company or any Guarantor. The Trustee will make such evidence available to the Holders upon request.
At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees is due and payable, if the Company or any Guarantor becomes obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment (unless such obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises after the 30th day prior to the date on which payment under or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees is due and payable, in which case it will be paid promptly thereafter and in any case before the relevant payment date), the Company will deliver to each Paying Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts will be payable, and the amount so payable and will set forth such other information as necessary to enable such Paying Agent to pay such Additional Amounts to the Holders of the Notes on the payment date. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, (a) the payment of principal (and premium, if any), (b) purchase prices in connection with a purchase of the Notes, (c) interest or (d) any other amount payable on or with respect to any of the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such mention is deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this section to the extent, that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.
76
The Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, will pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise in the United States, the Republic of France or in any jurisdiction in which a Paying Agent is located from the initial issue or registration of the Notes or on the enforcement of any payments with respect to the Notes, any Note Guarantee, the Indenture or any other document related thereto (limited, in case of Taxes attributable to the receipt of payments thereto, to any such Taxes imposed or withheld in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction that are not excluded under clauses (k) and (l) or any combination of items (k) and (l) above).
The obligations of the Company or any Guarantor described in this Section 4.21 will survive any termination, defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or any transfer by a holder or beneficial owner of its notes, and will apply, mutatis mutandis, to any jurisdiction in which any successor Person to the Company or any Guarantor is incorporated, engaged in business for tax purposes or resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or through which such Person makes any payment on the Notes and any department or any political subdivision thereof or therein.
SECTION 4.22. INDEMNIFICATION FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY JUDGMENTS.
The obligations of the Company to any Holder, the Trustee or the Agents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than United States dollars (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the day following receipt by such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, as the case may be, of any amount in the Judgment Currency, such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the amount originally to be paid to such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, as the case may be, in the Agreement Currency, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding such judgment, to pay to such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, as the case may be, the difference, and if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased exceeds the amount originally to be paid to such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, as the case may be, such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, as the case may be, shall pay to or for the account of the Company such excess; provided that such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, as the case may be, shall not have any obligation to pay any such excess as long as a Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case such excess may be applied by such Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, as the case may be, to such obligations.
SECTION 4.23. ANTI-LAYERING.
The Company and the Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, incur, directly or indirectly, any Financial Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to any Financial Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless the Financial Indebtedness so incurred is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes or the relevant Note Guarantee, as the case may be.
77
Unsecured Financial Indebtedness will not be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to secured Financial Indebtedness solely because it is unsecured, and Financial Indebtedness that is not guaranteed by a particular Person is not deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to Financial Indebtedness that is so guaranteed solely because it is not so guaranteed.
SECTION 4.24. WITHHOLDING.
(a) Each party hereto shall, within ten Business Days of a written request by another party, supply to that other party such forms, documentation and other information relating to it, its operations, or the Notes as that other party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other party’s compliance with Applicable Law and shall notify the relevant other party reasonably promptly in the event that it becomes aware that any of the forms, documentation or other information provided by such party is (or becomes) inaccurate in any material respect; provided, however, that no party shall be required to provide any forms, documentation or other information pursuant to this Section 4.24 to the extent that: (i) any such form, documentation or other information (or the information required to be provided on such form or documentation) is not reasonably available to such party and cannot be obtained by such party using reasonable efforts; or (ii) doing so would or might in the reasonable opinion of such party constitute a breach of any: (1) Applicable Law; (2) fiduciary duty; or (3) duty of confidentiality. For purposes of this Section 4.24, “Applicable Law” shall be deemed to include (i) any rule or practice of any Authority by which any party is bound or with which it is accustomed to comply; (ii) any agreement between any Authorities; and (iii) any agreement between any Authority and any party that is customarily entered into by institutions of a similar nature.
(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee and each Agent in the event that it determines that any payment to be made by the Trustee or an Agent under the Notes is a payment which could be subject to FATCA Withholding if such payment were made to a recipient that is generally unable to receive payments free from FATCA Withholding, and the extent to which the relevant payment is so treated, provided, however, that the Company’s obligation under this Section 4.24 shall apply only to the extent that such payments are so treated by virtue of characteristics of the Company, the Notes, or both.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under the Notes for or on account of any Tax, if and only to the extent so required by Applicable Law, in which event the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall make such payment after such deduction or withholding has been made and shall account to the relevant Authority within the time allowed for the amount so deducted or withheld or, at its option, shall reasonably promptly after making such payment return to the Company the amount so deducted or withheld, in which case, the Company shall so account to the relevant Authority for such amount. For the avoidance of doubt, FATCA Withholding is a deduction or withholding which is deemed to be required by Applicable Law for the purposes of this Section 4.24.
78
(d) The Company agrees to hold the Trustee and the Paying Agents harmless for any losses that they may suffer due to the actions required to comply with Applicable Law. The terms of this Section 4.24 shall survive the termination and discharge of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.25. TREASURY TRANSACTIONS.
The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Treasury Transaction, other than (a) spot and forward delivery foreign exchange contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes and (b) any Treasury Transaction entered into for the hedging of actual or projected real exposures arising in the ordinary course of business of a member of the Group and not for speculative purposes.
SECTION 4.26. LIMITATIONS ON ACTIVITIES OF THE EXCLUDED SUBSIDIARIES.
Prior to the date on which an Excluded Subsidiary guarantees all obligations in respect of the Notes, such Excluded Subsidiary shall not:
(a) Incur any third-party Financial Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, grant any Note Guarantee of third-party Financial Indebtedness or grant any Lien securing any third-party Financial Indebtedness, other (i) than such Financial Indebtedness, guarantees or Liens outstanding on the Restructuring Effective Date after giving effect to the transactions consummated on the Restructuring Effective Date and any refinancing in respect thereof or (ii) than those incurred in the ordinary course of business in amount not to exceed $500,000 in aggregate principal amount outstanding; or
(b) trade, carry on any business or own any material assets, other than activities, businesses and material assets substantially similar (in scope and in substance) to those carried out prior to the Restructuring Effective Date.
SECTION 4.27. IMPAIRMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST.
(a) Subject to Sections 4.27(b) and (c), the Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, take or knowingly or negligently omit to take, any action which action or omission might or would have the result of materially impairing any security interest over any of the assets comprising the Collateral for the benefit of the Holders (including the priority thereof), and the Parent will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, grant to any Person other than the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent (as applicable), for the benefit of the Holders and the other beneficiaries described in the Security Documents, any interest whatsoever in any of the Collateral; provided the Company and the Guarantors may incur Permitted Collateral Liens. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 4.27 will restrict the discharge and release of the security interest with respect to the Collateral in accordance with this Indenture or the Intercreditor Agreement or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
79
(b) At the direction of the Company and without the consent of the Holders, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent (as applicable) may from time to time enter into one or more amendments to the Security Documents to: (i) cure any ambiguity, mistakes, omission, defect or inconsistency therein; (ii) provide for any Permitted Collateral Liens; (iii) add to the Collateral for the benefit of the Holders; or (iv) make any other change thereto that does not impair any security interest over any of the assets comprising the Collateral or otherwise adversely affect the Holders in any material respect; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, no Security Document may be amended, extended, renewed, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced, unless contemporaneously with such amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement, modification or renewal, the Company delivers to the Trustee:
(i) a solvency opinion, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, from an Independent Financial Advisor confirming the solvency of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after giving effect to any transactions related to such amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement, modification or replacement;
(ii) a certificate from the board of directors or chief financial officer of the relevant obligor (acting in good faith), in the form set forth as an exhibit to this Indenture, that confirms the solvency of the Person granting such Lien after giving effect to any transaction related to such amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement, modification or replacement; or
(iii) an Opinion of Counsel, in form satisfactory to the Trustee confirming that, after giving effect to any transactions related to such amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement, modification or replacement, the Lien or Liens securing the Notes created under the Security Documents as so amended, extended, renewed, restated, supplemented, modified or replaced remain valid and perfected Liens not otherwise subject to any limitation, imperfection or new hardening period, in equity or at law, that such Lien or Liens were not otherwise subject to immediately prior to such amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement, modification or replacement.
(c) Nothing in this Section 4.27 will restrict the release or replacement of any Collateral in compliance with the provisions set out in Section 11.04.
(d) In the event that the Company complies with the requirements of this Section 4.27, the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent and/or the International Security Agent (as the case may be) will consent to any such amendment, extension, renewal, restatement, supplement, modification or replacement without the need for instructions from the Holders.
80
SECTION 4.28. ADDITIONAL INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENTS.
At the request of the Company, at the time of, or prior to, any incurrence of Financial Indebtedness that is permitted to share the Collateral, the Company, the relevant Guarantors, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent may (without the consent of the majority in principal amount of the Holders) amend the Intercreditor Agreement to reflect such additional Financial Indebtedness or enter into a new intercreditor agreement with the holders of such Financial Indebtedness (or their duly authorized representatives) (an “Additional Intercreditor Agreement”) on substantially the same terms as, and in any event terms not adverse to the Holders in any material respect compared to, the Intercreditor Agreement, including with respect to enforcement instructions, distributions and releases of Note Guarantees and Collateral; provided that any amendment to the Intercreditor Agreement or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement will not impose any personal obligations on the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent or adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent under this Indenture or the Intercreditor Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.
Each Holder, by accepting such Note, shall be deemed to have agreed to and accepted the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement, any amendment thereto and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement (whether then entered into or entered into in the future pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents or any Additional Intercreditor Agreements) and to have authorized and directed entry into such documents by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent from time to time and neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent nor the International Security Agent shall be required to seek the consent of any holders of the Notes to perform its obligations under and in accordance with this Section 4.28.
SECTION 4.29. MERGER.
No Obligor (and the Parent shall ensure that no other member of the Group will) enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction except for a Permitted Merger.
SECTION 4.30. CHANGE OF BUSINESS.
The Parent shall ensure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Parent, the Company, the Guarantors or the Group taken as a whole, as carried out (or contemplated to be carried out and so disclosed) as of the Issue Date, except to the extent of (a) a Qualifying Acquisition, (b) the acquisition of Strategic Assets, and/or (c) a Qualifying Business Disposal.
SECTION 4.31. ACQUISITIONS.
No Obligor shall (and Parent shall ensure that no other member of the Group will) (a) acquire a company or any other shares or Equity Interests of any other person (other than Parent or any Subsidiary, in each case, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Indenture) or a business (or, in each case, any interest in any of them) or (b) incorporate a
81
company; provided that this Section 4.31 shall not apply to an acquisition of a company, of shares, securities or a business (or, in each case, any interest in any of them) or the incorporation of a company which is a Permitted Acquisition or a Permitted Investment.
SECTION 4.32. JOINT VENTURES AND INVESTMENTS.
(a) Except as permitted under clause (b) below, no Obligor shall (and Parent shall ensure that no other member of the Group will) (i) enter into, invest in or acquire (or agree to acquire) any shares, stocks, securities or other interest in any Joint Venture or (ii) transfer any assets or lend to, or guarantee or give an indemnity for, or xxxxx x Xxxx in respect of the obligations of a Joint Venture or maintain the solvency of or provide working capital to any Joint Venture (or agree to do any of the foregoing).
(b) Clause (a) shall not apply to any entry into, investment in or acquisition of (or agreement to enter into, invest in or acquire) any interest in a Joint Venture or transfer of assets (or agreement to transfer assets) to a Joint Venture or loan made to, or guarantee, indemnity or lien given in respect of the obligations of, a Joint Venture or maintaining the solvency of or providing working capital to a Joint Venture (or agreement to do any of the foregoing) if such transaction is (i) a Permitted Acquisition, (ii) a Permitted Disposal, (iii) a Permitted Loan, (iv) a Permitted Guarantee, (v) a Permitted Lien, (vi) a Permitted Joint Venture (provided in the case of a Permitted Joint Venture that the aggregate net expenditures in all such Permitted Joint Ventures made by members of the Group from and after the Restructuring Effective Date pursuant to this Section 4.32(b)(vi) shall not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding) or (vii) a Permitted Investment.
SECTION 4.33. SHARE CAPITAL.
No Obligor shall (and Parent shall ensure that no other member of the Group will) issue any shares except pursuant to a Permitted Share Issue.
SECTION 4.34. CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS.
(a) Except as permitted under Section 4.34(b) below, the Parent shall not, and shall not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to, incur any Capital Lease Obligation.
(b) Section 4.34(a) shall not apply to a Capital Lease Obligation which is a Permitted Capital Lease Obligation.
SECTION 4.35. JUNIOR DEBT PREPAYMENT
(a) The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any principal payment on or with respect to, or purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to stated maturity, any Junior Debt incurred pursuant to clauses (b)(iii), (b)(v), (b)(vi) or (b)(vii) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Second Lien Notes and the SN Interest Second Lien Notes, but excluding any intercompany Permitted Financial Indebtedness between or among the Parent and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries).
82
(b) Section 4.35(a) shall not apply to (i) a payment of interest or a payment of principal at the stated maturity thereof, (ii) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition of Financial Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal instalment or scheduled maturity, in each case due within six months of the date of such payment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, (iii) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition from Net Proceeds to the extent permitted under Section 4.12, but only (A) if the Company shall have first complied with the terms described under Section 4.12 and purchased all Notes tendered pursuant to any offer to repurchase all the Notes required thereby or made thereunder, prior to purchasing or purchasing such Junior Debt and (B) at a purchase price not greater than 100% of the principal amount of such Junior Debt, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (iv) following the occurrence of a Change of Control, but only (A) if the Company shall have first complied with the terms described under Section 4.17 and purchased all Notes tendered pursuant to the offer to repurchase all the Notes required thereby, prior to repurchasing, redeeming, defeasing or otherwise acquiring or retiring such Junior Debt and (B) at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Junior Debt.
SECTION 4.36. MAINTENANCE OF LISTING.
(a) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Notes on the EuroMTF of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and to maintain such listing for so long as such Notes are outstanding; provided that if the Company is unable to obtain admission to listing of the Notes on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain a listing of such Notes on another “recognised stock exchange” as defined in Section 1005 of the Income Tax Act 2007 of the United Kingdom in Western Europe.
(b) The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange, including, but not limited to, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
SECTION 4.37. FURTHER ASSURANCES
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision, permission or authorization to the contrary in this Indenture, the Parent will undertake not to carry out or otherwise effect or complete, and shall cause the Restricted Subsidiaries not to carry out or otherwise effect or complete: (i) any single transaction or series of related transactions (including any disposal, sale-leaseback, issue of shares or other securities, or merger, amalgamation or reorganization) or any change to the Company or the Guarantors (including any resignation of a Guarantor) which (A) would, other than in compliance with Section 11.04 hereof and Article 9 hereof, have the effect of changing the nature or scope of any Security or would have the effect of releasing any Security or (B) would, other than in compliance with Article 9, Article 10 and Section 11.04 hereof, have the effect of
83
releasing any Note Guarantee or Security in favor of the Notes or (ii) any single transaction or series of related transactions which consists of the sale, lease, transfer or other disposal (including by a Guarantor to a member of the Group which is not a Guarantor) of: (A) any member of the Group the shares of which are subject to a Lien in favor of the Notes or (B) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of any such member of the Group having a book value or an aggregate book value equal to the lower of (1) 30% of the aggregate book value of all of the assets of that disposing entity and (2) $20,000,000, in each case without complying with Section 4.12 (or otherwise constituting a Permitted Disposal), Section 4.18, Section 4.29 and/or Article 5, to the extent applicable.
(b) Subject to the Agreed Security Principles, each Obligor shall (and the Parent shall ensure that each Subsidiary will) promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents as the Collateral Agent or International Security Agent (as applicable) may reasonably specify or as the Company, acting in good faith and consistent with past practice under the French Revolving Facility, shall reasonably determine is necessary (and in such form as the Collateral Agent or International Security Agent (as applicable) may reasonably require in favor of the Collateral Agent or International Security Agent (as applicable) or its nominee(s)) (i) to perfect the Security created or intended to be created under or evidenced by the Security Documents (including with respect to the Shares) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or the Secured Parties (as applicable) provided by or pursuant to the Notes Documents or by law, (ii) to confer on the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or the Secured Parties (as applicable) Security over any property and assets of such Obligor constituting Collateral located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Security Documents (provided that no additional Security shall be required over Collateral covered by the Dutch Security Agreements), and/or (iii) to facilitate the realization of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Collateral (it being understood that it is the intent of the parties that the Obligations under the Notes Documents shall be secured by (x) substantially all the personal property of the Company and the other Obligors that are Domestic Subsidiaries provided that a security interest with respect to which may be perfected by UCC filing and (y) certain other assets reasonably determined by the Company in good faith to be consistent with the assets pledged as Collateral on the Issue Date (but excluding, in each case and without limitation, real property, mineral interests and vessels), except to the extent that a security interest over such Collateral would not be permitted by the terms of any Permitted Lien existing over such assets).
(c) Subject to the Agreed Security Principles, each Obligor shall (and the Parent shall ensure that each member of the Group will) take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security conferred or intended to be conferred on the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or the Secured Parties (as applicable) by or pursuant to the Notes Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, the only actions that shall be required to perfect the security interest in respect of the personal property of the Company and the other Obligors that are Domestic Subsidiaries shall be UCC filings.
84
(d) Each Obligor shall (and the Parent shall ensure that each member of the Group will) ensure that at any time that Security is granted to a security or collateral agent under, or the holders of, the Second Lien Notes or the SN Interest Second Lien Notes, such Security shall be (or shall have been) granted on a prior-ranking basis to the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent and/or the Secured Parties (as applicable) pursuant to substantially similar documentation, agreements or arrangements as the Security granted under the Security Documents and on terms consistent with the Intercreditor Agreement for prior-ranking security (as between the Notes and the Note Guarantees on the one hand and the Second Lien Notes, SN Interest Second Lien Notes and the guarantees thereof on the other hand)
(e) The Parent shall cause (i) any subsequently acquired wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary that is acquired in any transaction or series of transactions for aggregate consideration in excess of $50,000,000 and (ii) any subsequently acquired, organized or reorganized Foreign Subsidiary to the extent such would be required under Section 4.15 to, and is able to, provide a guarantee of the Notes and provides any such guarantee and (in the case of any Subsidiary of the Company) is not treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” (as that term is defined in Section 957 of the Code and the applicable regulations thereunder, “CFC”) of the Company to become an Additional Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture and each applicable Security Document in favor of the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or the Holders (as applicable). If any such Foreign Subsidiary ceases to provide any such guarantee that triggered its requirement to provide a Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15, then it shall automatically cease to be a Guarantor and will be released from its obligations under all the Notes Documents and the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent (as applicable) shall promptly execute and deliver to such Guarantor, at such Guarantor’s expense, all documents that such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such release (it being understood that any such execution and delivery of documents shall be without recourse to or representation or warranty by the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or any Secured Party). Notwithstanding the foregoing. Parent shall not cause or permit a Subsidiary organized under the laws of Canada as an unlimited liability corporation to become an Obligor hereunder.
(f) (i) Subject to the Agreed Security Principles, Parent shall procure that each Person which accedes to this Indenture as a Guarantor (each an “Additional Guarantor”) after the Issue Date shall (having regard to the approach taken prior to the Issue Date regarding the taking of Security to the extent applicable in the relevant circumstances) grant Security over its property and other assets of the same type as the property or other assets already constituting Collateral and intended to be granted by or pursuant to Security Documents (and which shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, any library) and (ii) when a Security Document is entered into pursuant to this Section 4.37(f), the Parent shall deliver to the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent (as applicable) (A) the original Security Document executed by the relevant member of the Group and the Collateral Agent or International Security Agent (as applicable), (B) all other documents required to perfect the security in conformity with the Agreed Security Principles, (C) all relevant legal opinions and (D) such other evidence as reasonably appropriate in relation to the entering into of a Security Document.
85
(g) (i) Subject to the Agreed Security Principles, Parent shall procure that each Obligor which is the creditor of any loan to a member of the Group whose shares constitute Collateral shall (A) subject to the following clause (B), grant Security over each such loan within 30 days after delivery of the Officers’ Certificate required pursuant to Section 4.04(a) for the fiscal quarter in which such loan was made and (B) to the extent only that (1) the granting of the Security referred to in paragraph (A) above requires the execution of an additional Security Document and (2) no Event of Default has occurred, such Security shall only be granted if the relevant loan or loans made by such Obligor to the relevant company are in an amount greater than $5,000,000 in aggregate (it being provided that this $5,000,000 threshold shall cease to apply as soon as an Event of Default occurs).
(h) Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, if (i) any Obligor shall at any time hold or acquire any Instrument (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement (U.S.)) governed by the laws of any State of the United States of America that constitutes Collateral or (ii) any Grantor (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement (U.S.)) shall at any time hold or acquire any Instrument (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement (U.S.)), in each case that evidences intercompany loans made by such Obligor or Grantor to a Pledged Company, such Obligor or Grantor shall forthwith endorse, assign and deliver such Instruments to the Collateral Agent, accompanied by undated instruments of endorsement, transfer or assignment duly executed in blank; provided that unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such obligation of such Obligor or Grantor shall only apply so as necessary to ensure that the aggregate principal amount of such Instruments outstanding to the relevant Pledged Company which have not been so delivered does not exceed in aggregate $5,000,000.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Notes Documents, no Notes or Obligations of the Company hereunder and thereunder may be, directly or indirectly:
(i) guaranteed by (1) a member of the Group that is a controlled foreign corporation (as defined in section 957 of the Code) that has as a “United States shareholder” (as defined in section 951 of the Code) a member of the Group (a “CFC”) or (2) a member of the Group that is an entity substantially all the assets of which consist of equity interests (or equity interests and indebtedness) of one or more CFCs (a “FSHCO”) or (3) a member of the Group that is a subsidiary of a CFC or a FSHCO;
(ii) secured by any assets of a CFC, a FSHCO or a member of the Group that is a subsidiary of a CFC or a FSHCO (including any CFC or FSHCO equity interests held directly or indirectly by a CFC or a FSHCO); or
86
(iii) secured by a pledge of more than 65% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares entitled to vote of a CFC or a FSHCO;
provided that the Parent shall not, and shall cause any Guarantor that is not a United States person (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) to not, become a Subsidiary of the Company or otherwise have as a “United States shareholder” (as defined in Section 951 of the Code) another member of the Group, in each case unless the conditions as to release of Note Guarantees have been met under either Section 10.04 or 10.06.
(j) The permissive rights of the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent create no duties on such persons. None of the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent shall have duties in respect of the perfection of the Liens and neither of them shall be responsible for the Lien on any of the Collateral.
SECTION 4.38. STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
ARTICLE 5
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION; SUCCESSORS
SECTION 5.01. MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
(a) The Parent. the Parent shall not consolidate or merge (fusion) with or into (whether or not the Parent is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey, demerge (scission) or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to, another Person unless: (1) the Parent is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Parent) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States (or any state thereof or the District of Columbia), France or any other member state of the European Union (as constituted on the Issue Date); (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Parent) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; (3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; (4) except in the case of a merger of the Parent with or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that
87
is an Obligor, the Parent or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Parent), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other disposition shall have been made, (i) shall have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the transaction equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Parent immediately preceding the transaction and (ii) shall, at the time of such transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of Junior Debt pursuant to a Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence; and (5) the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, (i) an Officers’ Certificate stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and any supplemental indenture in respect thereto comply with this provision and that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction or transactions have been complied with and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that the requirements of clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 5.01(a) have been satisfied;
(b) The Company. The Company shall not consolidate or merge (fusion) with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey, demerge (scission) or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to, another Person unless: (1) the Company is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States (or any state thereof or the District of Columbia), France or any other member state of the European Union (as constituted on the Issue Date); (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; (3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; (4) except in the case of a merger of the Company with or into a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is an Obligor, the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other disposition shall have been made, (i) shall have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the transaction equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately preceding the transaction and (ii) shall, at the time of such transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of Junior Debt pursuant to a Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence; and (5) the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, (i) an Officers’ Certificate stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and any supplemental indenture in respect thereto comply with this provision and that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction or transactions have been complied with and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that the requirements of clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 5.01(b) have been satisfied;
88
SECTION 5.02. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Parent or the Company in compliance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Parent” or the “Company” (as applicable) shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Parent or the Company (as applicable)), and may exercise every right and power of the Parent or the Company (as applicable) under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Parent or the Company (as applicable) herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Parent or the predecessor Company (as applicable) shall not be relieved from its obligations under this Indenture or the Notes in the case of any such lease.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
An “Event of Default” occurs if:
(a) the Company defaults in the payment when due of interest on the Notes, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) the Company defaults in the payment when due of principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes;
(c) the Company fails to comply with any of the provisions of Sections 4.06 or 4.17 hereof or fails to commence an Asset Sale Offer as required pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof;
(d) the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary fails to observe or perform any other covenant or other agreement in this Indenture or the Notes for 30 days after it receives written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding of such failure;
(e) the declaration or payment of any dividend or the making of any Restricted Payment described in Section 4.09(a) hereof, which declaration, payment or distribution would not be permitted by Section 4.09(b) hereof if it were treated as a Restricted Payment;
(f) the Parent or the Company fails to comply with any of the provisions of Article 5 hereof;
89
(g) a default occurs under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Financial Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary), whether such Financial Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, which default (i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium or interest on such Financial Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Financial Indebtedness, including any extension thereof (a “Payment Default”) or (ii) results in the acceleration of such Financial Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Financial Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Financial Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates in excess of $25,000,000; and provided, further, that if such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Financial Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of ten days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, an Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree; provided further that any failure to pay amounts due in connection with charter agreements and related guarantees as a result of a good faith dispute between the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary and the counterparty shall not constitute an Event of Default under this clause (g) for so long as such dispute is maintained in good faith by the Parent or such Restricted Subsidiary;
(h) a final judgment or final judgments for the payment of money are entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary and such judgment or judgments are not paid or discharged for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of 60 days; provided that the aggregate of all such undischarged judgments (not covered by insurance) exceeds $25,000,000;
(i) the failure of any Guarantor to perform any covenant set forth in its Note Guarantee or the repudiation by any Guarantor of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or the unenforceability of any Note Guarantee for any reason other than as provided in this Indenture;
(j) the Parent, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary is unable to pay its debts as they fall due and commences negotiations with any one or more of its creditors with a view to the general readjustment or rescheduling of its indebtedness or makes a general assignment for the benefit of or a composition with its creditors;
(k) the Parent, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary takes any corporate action or other steps are taken or legal proceedings are started under applicable bankruptcy laws for its sauvegarde, redressement judiciaire,
90
liquidation judiciaire or other winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganization (whether by way of voluntary or involuntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) or for the appointment of a mandataire ad hoc, conciliateur or administrateur provisoire, or other liquidator, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, conservator, custodian, trustee or similar officer of it or of any or all of its revenues and assets, other than an action, legal proceeding or other step on vexatious or frivolous grounds or which is withdrawn or discharged within 40 days;
(l) any execution or distress is levied against, or an encumbrancer takes possession of, the whole or any part of, the property, undertaking or assets of the Parent, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any event occurs which under the laws of any jurisdiction has a similar or analogous effect in relation to property, undertaking or assets the value of which is superior to $25,000,000, other than an action, legal proceeding or other step on vexatious or frivolous grounds or which is withdrawn or discharged within 40 days; provided that this clause (l) shall not apply to any execution, distress, seizure or any other of the foregoing actions, in each case in relation to any vessel, that are not the result of any action of or failure to act by any member of the Group; or
(m) with respect to (i) Collateral relating to any Capital Stock of or voting rights in the Parent or the Company or any intragroup loans granted to the Parent or the Company or (ii) any other Collateral having a fair market value in excess of $2,500,000, one or more of the Security Documents shall, at any time, cease to be in full force and effect other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof, or a Security Document shall be declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or the relevant grantor (or a third-party creditor of the relevant grantor) or the security granted pursuant to a Security Document asserts, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such Security Document is invalid or unenforceable for any reason other than the satisfaction in full of all obligations under this Indenture and discharge of this Indenture, other than, in each case, pursuant to limitations on enforceability, validity or effectiveness imposed by applicable law or the terms of such Security Document or except in accordance with the terms of such Security Document, the Intercreditor Agreement, any Additional Intercreditor Agreement or this Indenture, including the release provisions thereof or hereof.
SECTION 6.02. ACCELERATION.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, and the Trustee shall, upon the request of such Holders, declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (j), (k) or (l) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, all outstanding
91
Notes shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium, if any, that have become due solely because of such acceleration) have been cured or waived.
If an Event of Default occurs, then, upon acceleration of the Notes, a premium equivalent to the premium that the Company would have had to pay if it had then elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof and the Notes shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding; provided, however, that such premium payable as a result of an acceleration of the Notes shall be capped at an amount no greater than 10% of the aggregate principal amount (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any interest accreted as PIK Interest) of the Notes then outstanding, except that no such cap shall apply in connection with an acceleration of the Notes resulting from (x) a voluntary or intentional breach of the terms of the Notes or this Indenture with the purpose of avoiding the payment of the entire premium or (y) failure to pay the premium when due following any election to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof and the Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, such premium payable upon acceleration shall not become due and payable as a result of an acceleration that occurs on or before the six month anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date or after the three-year anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date.
SECTION 6.03. OTHER REMEDIES.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
SECTION 6.04. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
92
SECTION 6.05. CONTROL BY MAJORITY.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.
SECTION 6.06. LIMITATION ON SUITS.
A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:
(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
SECTION 6.07. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
93
SECTION 6.08. COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
SECTION 6.09. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 6.10. PRIORITIES.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent, and the Trustee’s, the Agents’, the Collateral Agent’s and the International Security Agent’s reasonable costs and expenses of collection;
94
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
SECTION 6.11. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE; COLLATERAL AGENT
SECTION 7.01. DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
95
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability; provided, however, if the Trustee elects to take any such action (including, but not limited to, the institution of defense of legal proceedings) it shall be entitled to security or indemnity for the payment of costs, expenses (including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees and expenses) and liabilities which may be incurred thereby, satisfactory to the Trustee. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) In the event that the Trustee receives any notice of corporate action in respect of any Collateral, the Trustee’s only responsibility shall be to forward any notices it receives to the Company.
(h) Upon written request from the Company, and to the extent that they may have such information in their possession, the Trustee and the Agents will provide the Company, as soon as reasonably practicable, with any information necessary to the Company to comply with any applicable laws and regulations.
96
SECTION 7.02. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) None of the Trustee or any Agent shall be liable for (i) the appointment of the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or any Additional Collateral Agent, (ii) any authorization or direction given pursuant to Section 11.03(e), (iii) any grant or undertaking made pursuant to Section 11.03(f), (iv) any confirmation given pursuant to Section 11.03(g) or (v) any agreement given pursuant to Section 11.03(h).
(f) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(g) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(h) The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the covenants in Article 4 hereof or under any other agreement to which the Company is a party. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except: (1) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) hereof to the extent it is the Paying Agent; or (2) any Default or Event of Default of which its Responsible Officer shall have received written notification at its Corporate Trust Office.
(i) The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture.
97
(j) In the event the Trustee receives inconsistent or conflicting requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Holders of Notes, each representing less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, shall be taken.
(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.
(l) The Trustee shall have no responsibility for any information in any offering memorandum or other disclosure material distributed with respect to the Notes, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility for compliance with any state, Federal or international securities laws in connection with the Notes.
(m) Delivery of reports or information to the Trustee under the Notes Documents (other than reports or information delivered to the Trustee pursuant to a notice requirement in the Notes Documents) solely for the purpose of the Trustee forwarding or passing-along such reports or information to another Person does not constitute actual or constructive knowledge of any matter contained therein.
(n) All rights, protections and indemnities of the Trustee set forth in this Article VII shall also apply to the Agents, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent.
(o) The Trustee shall have no duty (i) in relation to the validity, perfection, continuation, priority or enforceability of the Collateral or any interest therein, or to see to any recording, filing, or depositing of this Indenture or any agreement referred to herein or any financing statement or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof, (ii) to see to any insurance, or (iii) to see to the payment or discharge of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge or any lien or encumbrance of any kind owing with respect to, assessed or levied against, any part of the trust.
(p) The rights, powers, duties and obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are several and not joint or joint and several.
(q) The Company and the Agents acknowledge and agree that in the event of a Default or Event of Default, the Trustee may, by notice in writing to each of the Company and the Agents, require that the Agents act as agents of, and take instructions exclusively from, the Trustee. Prior to receiving such written notification from the Trustee, the Agents shall be the agents of the Company and need have no concern for the interests of the Holders.
(r) The Agents hold all funds as banker subject to the terms of this Indenture and as a result, such money will not be held in accordance with the rules established by the UK Financial Conduct Authority in the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Handbook of rules and guidance from time to time in relation to client money.
98
(s) Any obligation the Agents may have to publish a notice to Holders of Global Notes on behalf of the Company will be met upon delivery of the notice to Euroclear and Clearstream.
(t) In the event that instructions given to any Agent are not reasonably clear, then such Agent shall be entitled to seek clarification from the Company or other party entitled to give the Agents instructions under this Indenture by written request promptly and in any event within one Business Day of receipt by such Agent of such instructions. If an Agent has sought clarification in accordance with this clause (s), then such Agent shall be entitled to take no action until such clarification is provided, and shall not incur any liability for not taking any action pending receipt of such clarification.
(u) No Agent shall be under any fiduciary duty or other obligation towards, or have any relationship of agency or trust, for or with any person other than the Company.
SECTION 7.03. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
SECTION 7.04. TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER; NO INDEPENDENT DIRECTION OF COLLATERAL AGENT OR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AGENT.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity, enforceability or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes; it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or for any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication; and it shall not be responsible for any loss suffered in connection with any investment of funds made by it in accordance with this Indenture.
Neither the Collateral Agent nor the International Security Agent will exercise independent direction or discretion, but instead each will follow the instructions of the Trustee, subject to its rights under the Indenture, including its rights to indemnity or security (and, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement) before acting. Any reference in any Notes Document to the exercise of discretion by the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent shall be read as a reference to the Collateral Agent or International Security Agent, as applicable, acting upon the direction of the Trustee in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Indenture.
99
SECTION 7.05. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.
SECTION 7.06. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS
Within 60 days after each September 15 beginning with the September 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA (but if no event described in Section 313(a) of the TIA has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Sections 313(b)(2) and 313(b)(1) of the TIA. The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Section 313(c) of the TIA.
Commencing at the time this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, a copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Section 313(d) of the TIA. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange, including the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
SECTION 7.07. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances, charges and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Company and the Guarantors, on a joint and several basis, shall indemnify the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent, their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates against any and all losses, liabilities, charges or expenses incurred by them arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Trustee’s, the Agents’, the Collateral Agent’s and the International Security Agent’s duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Guarantor or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the
100
extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by the final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee, each Agent, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee, an Agent, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee, any Agent, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee, any Agent, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent.
When the Trustee, any Agent, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(j), (k) or (l) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable bankruptcy law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA to the extent applicable.
SECTION 7.08. REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of Notes of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any applicable bankruptcy law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
101
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Xxxxxxx does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of a Note who has been a Holder of a Note for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder of a Note may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another entity, by sale or otherwise, the successor entity without any further act shall be the successor Trustee. The successor Trustee shall promptly mail a notice of its succession to the Company and the Holders of the Notes. Any such successor must nevertheless be eligible and qualified under the provisions of Section 7.10 hereof.
SECTION 7.10. ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
102
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) of the TIA. The Trustee is subject to Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.
SECTION 7.11. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY
The Trustee is subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in the TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to the TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
SECTION 7.12. FORCE MAJEURE; CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
(a) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee shall be without liability to the Company, the Guarantors, the Holders or any other Person for any damage or loss resulting from or caused by events or circumstances beyond the Trustee’s reasonable control including nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, the interruption, disruption or suspension of the normal procedures and practices of any securities market, power, mechanical, communications or other technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or the like, fires, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters, civil and military disturbance, acts of war or terrorism, riots, revolution, acts of God, work stoppages, strikes, national disasters of any kind, or other similar events or acts; errors by the Company in its instructions to the Common Depositary; or changes in applicable law, regulation or orders.
(b) In no event shall the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or their respective directors, officers, agents and employees be liable for special, punitive, exemplary, incidental or consequential damages, including any damages from loss of data, revenue or profit, even if such party had been advised of the possibility of such damages.
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE;
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 8.01. OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, exercise its rights under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof with respect to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
103
SECTION 8.02. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have discharged its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes, and each Guarantor shall be deemed to have discharged its obligations with respect to its Note Guarantee, on the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Financial Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, and each Guarantor shall be deemed to have paid and discharged its Note Guarantee (which in each case shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.06 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below) and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes or Note Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.07, 2.10 and 4.02 hereof and the second paragraph of Section 4.19 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article 8. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
SECTION 8.03. COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each Guarantor shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their respective obligations under the covenants contained in Article 4 (other than those in Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.06, 4.14 and 4.19) on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company and any Guarantor may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s
104
exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(d) through 6.01(i) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
SECTION 8.04. CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service and the French Tax Authority a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal or French income tax purposes, respectively, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. Federal or French income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal or French income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. Federal or French income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either (A) on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of Financial Indebtedness or the grant of Liens securing such Financial Indebtedness, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Notes pursuant to this Article 8 concurrently with such incurrence or within 30 days thereof) or (B) insofar as Events of Default described in Sections 6.01(j) through 6.01(l) are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 550th day after the date of such deposit;
105
(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or by which the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary is bound;
(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which may be based on such solvency certificates or solvency opinions as counsel deems necessary or appropriate) to the effect that, after the 550th day following such deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;
(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and
(h) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
SECTION 8.05. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE.
This Indenture shall upon the written request of the Company cease to be of further effect with respect to all outstanding Notes (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under Section 7.07, and the Trustee’s and each Paying Agent’s obligations under Sections 8.06 and 8.07), and the Trustee, on demand and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series, when:
(a) Either:
(i) all outstanding Notes therefor authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and (B) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with the Trustee or any Paying Agent and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
106
(ii) all outstanding Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(A) have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise; or
(B) shall become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or
(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company or any Guarantor, in the case of clause (A), (B) or (C) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest and as certified by an independent public accountant designated by the Company expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee) to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and accrued and unpaid interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be:
(b) the Company and each Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable hereunder by it under this Indenture;
(c) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound; and
(d) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, the U.S. Government Securities shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, or interest at least one Business Day before such payment date in such amounts as shall provide the necessary money. The U.S. Government Securities shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.
SECTION 8.06. DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
Subject to Section 8.07 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to
107
Section 8.04 or 8.05 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be (i) held in trust, (ii) and, at the written direction of the Company, such money may be invested, prior to maturity of the Notes, in non-callable U.S. Government Securities, and (iii) applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 or 8.05 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the written request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 or 8.05 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which in the former case may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
SECTION 8.07. REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.
Subject to applicable escheat and abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (which money shall be held uninvested and without liability for interest), or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Nothing contained in this Section 8.07 shall be deemed to affect any obligation of the Trustee or any Paying Agent to search for lost Holders pursuant to Rule 17Ad-17 under the Exchange Act.
108
SECTION 8.08. REINSTATEMENT.
If the Trustee or a Paying Agent is unable to apply any dollars or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.05 or 8.06 hereof, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02, 8.03 or 8.05 hereof until such time as the Trustee or such Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.05 or 8.06 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company or any Guarantor makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, then it shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Securities held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 9.01. WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or an Additional Intercreditor Agreement without the consent of any Holder of a Note:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(c) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes pursuant to Section 6.01(f) hereof;
(d) to secure the Notes pursuant to the requirements of Sections 4.14 or 4.37 or otherwise;
(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder of a Note; or
(f) to add or to release any Guarantor, in each case as provided in Article 10 hereof.
Upon the written request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture or other such agreement, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the
109
Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture or other such agreement authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.02. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes).
Upon the written request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture or such other agreement, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture or such other agreement unless such amended or supplemental indenture or such other agreement affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or such other agreement or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
110
(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or purchase of the Notes by the Company;
(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;
(d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;
(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or Events of Default or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;
(g) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any Note;
(h) make any change in the ranking of the Notes relative to other Financial Indebtedness of the Company or in any Note Guarantees relative to other Financial Indebtedness of the Guarantors, in either case in a manner adverse to the Holders;
(i) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or the Indenture, except in accordance with Sections 10.04, 10.05 and 10.06 hereof;
(j) release any Lien on the Collateral, except in accordance with Section 11.04 hereof;
(k) make any change in the provisions of Section 4.21 or 4.22 hereof in a manner adverse to the Holders; or
(l) make any change in the foregoing amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.
SECTION 9.03. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
111
SECTION 9.04. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
SECTION 9.05. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee upon instruction from the Company shall authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 9.06. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.
After receipt by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent of the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel in accordance with this Section 9.06, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent, as applicable, shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent have been complied with.
ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES OF NOTES
SECTION 10.01. NOTE GUARANTEES.
Subject to Section 10.07 hereof, the Initial Guarantors, and any Additional Guarantors that become Guarantors after the date of this Indenture; provided that, at any time a Restricted Subsidiary may become a Guarantor at its option, by executing a supplemental indenture as set forth in Section 10.02 hereof, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the
112
Trustee and to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and/or the International Security Agent and the Agents and their respective successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes held thereby and the Obligations of the Company hereunder and thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and premium, if any, and interest (to the extent permitted by law) on the Notes, and all other payment Obligations of the Company to the Holders, the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default under this Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under the Note Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder in the same manner and to the same extent as the Obligations of the Company. The Guarantors agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture. If any Holder, the Trustee, an Agent, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any custodian or other similar official acting under any applicable bankruptcy law in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by the Company or any Guarantor to the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent, such Agent, the Trustee or such Holder, the Note Guarantees, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to, and waives, any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of the Obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of its Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such
113
Obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of its Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantees.
SECTION 10.02. EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF NOTE GUARANTEE.
To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor (including any Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor at its option) agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto may be endorsed by manual or facsimile signature by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that the supplemental indenture to this Indenture referred to in the next succeeding paragraph shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer of such Guarantor.
To the extent required by the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof, the Parent shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to execute a notation of Note Guarantee in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto, and, whether or not required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Parent may also cause, at its option, any Restricted Subsidiary to execute such a notation. Such notation of Note Guarantee shall be accompanied by a supplemental indenture in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto, along with the Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate required under Section 9.06 of this Indenture; provided, however, that any Subsidiary that has been properly designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Indenture need not execute a notation of Note Guarantee for so long as it continues to constitute an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantees on behalf of the Guarantors. Each Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.
If an Officer whose signature is on the notation of Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a notation of Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
SECTION 10.03. GUARANTORS MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS.
(a) Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, nothing contained in this Indenture shall prohibit a merger between a Guarantor and another Guarantor or a merger between a Guarantor and the Company.
(b) No Guarantor, for so long as it provides a Note Guarantee pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, shall consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person (other than the Company or another Guarantor), unless: (i) subject to the provisions of Section 10.05 hereof, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor)
114
assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under the Notes and this Indenture, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto, accompanied by a notation of its Note Guarantee as provided in such supplemental indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; (iii) such Guarantor, or any Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, would have a Consolidated Net Worth (immediately after giving effect to such transaction) equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of such Guarantor immediately preceding the transaction; and (iv) the Company would be permitted immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, to incur at least $1.00 of additional Junior Debt pursuant to a Permitted Junior Debt Incurrence.
(c) In the case of any such consolidation or merger and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, of the Note Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor; provided, however, that, solely for purposes of computing Consolidated Net Income for purposes of clause (c) of the first paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof, the Consolidated Net Income of any Person other than the Parent and its Subsidiaries which are Restricted Subsidiaries shall only be included for periods subsequent to the effective time of such merger or consolidation.
SECTION 10.04. RELEASES OF GUARANTEES.
If a Restricted Subsidiary has become a Guarantor at its option, it may thereafter be released and relieved of its obligations under its Note Guarantee at its option; provided that such Guarantor has no other guarantee of Financial Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (other than Permitted Guarantees) then outstanding. For purposes of Section 4.09 hereof the release of any Note Guarantee pursuant to provisions described in this paragraph shall be deemed to be an incurrence by the Restricted Subsidiary whose Note Guarantee is being released of all Financial Indebtedness then held by such Restricted Subsidiary. Each Note Guarantee created by a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof, shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release or discharge of the guarantee of the Financial Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of direct payment under such guarantee of such Financial Indebtedness; provided that the Guarantor has no other guarantee of Financial Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (other than Permitted Guarantees) then outstanding.
SECTION 10.05. RELEASES FOLLOWING SALE OF ASSETS.
In the event of a transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition (including by way of merger or consolidation) of all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, then such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee and the Indenture; provided that the Net Proceeds of
115
such transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate to the effect of the foregoing, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture. Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and for the other Obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.
SECTION 10.06. RELEASES FOLLOWING DESIGNATION AS AN UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY, ETC.
In the event that the Board of Directors designates a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, then such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee and the Indenture; provided, however, that such designation is conducted in accordance with this Indenture. A Guarantor shall likewise be released and relieved of such obligations upon the release of any guarantee of the Other Company Indebtedness that required such Guarantor to guarantee the Notes pursuant to Section 4.13 hereof. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate to the effect of the foregoing, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture.
SECTION 10.07. LIMITATION ON GUARANTOR LIABILITY.
Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any applicable bankruptcy law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal, state or foreign law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Article 10 shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. In addition, the obligation of a Guarantor to grant a Note Guarantee and the obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the extent required by applicable law.
SECTION 10.08. “TRUSTEE” TO INCLUDE PAYING AGENT.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article 10 shall in each case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully and for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article 10 in place of the Trustee.
116
ARTICLE 11
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, COLLATERAL AND SECURITY
SECTION 11.01. INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT CONTROLS.
(a) The Company agrees, and each Holder (including each Holder, if any, of Additional Notes) by accepting a Note agrees, that this Indenture is subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Indenture and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and/or such Additional Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail.
(b) Each Holder (including each Holder, if any, of Additional Notes), by accepting a Note, authorizes and directs the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to execute the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement, and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall incur no liability for doing so.
(c) Each Holder (including each Holder, if any, of Additional Notes), by accepting a Note, authorizes and requests the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to, on such Holder’s behalf, make all undertakings (including, but not limited to, parallel debt obligations), representations, offers and agreements of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent (as applicable) set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 11.02. CREATION OF PARALLEL DEBT.
(a) For the purposes of (i) creating Liens on the Collateral in, or subject to the laws of the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Norway (together, the “Agreed Jurisdictions”) and (ii) ensuring the initial and continued validity of such Liens, the Collateral Agent, the Company and the Guarantors agree that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement:
(i) the Company and each Guarantor shall pay to the Collateral Agent, as creditor in its own right and not as representative of the Trustee or the Holders, sums equal to, and in the currency of, its Principal Obligations (as defined below) as and when the same fall due for payment under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement (the “Parallel Obligations”); provided that the total amount of the Parallel Obligations shall never exceed the total amount of the Principal Obligations;
117
(ii) the rights of the Trustee and the Holders, as applicable, to receive payment of the Principal Obligations are several and are separate from, and without prejudice to, the rights of the Collateral Agent to receive payment in respect of the Parallel Obligations;
(iii) the Collateral Agent shall have its own independent right, in its own name and stead, to demand payment of the Parallel Obligations by the Company and each of the Guarantors upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an unremedied and unwaived Event of Default;
(iv) the payment by the Company or any Guarantor of its Parallel Obligations to the Collateral Agent in accordance with this Section 11.02 (whether through direct payment by the Company or any Guarantor or any Lien held by the Collateral Agent securing the Parallel Obligations) shall be a good discharge in the corresponding amount of the corresponding Principal Obligations and, similarly, the payment by the Company or any Guarantor of the Principal Obligations shall be a good discharge in the corresponding amount of the corresponding Parallel Obligations owed to the Collateral Agent under this Section 11.02, in each case provided that the receiving party is able to retain the relevant payment made by the Company or such Guarantor; and
(v) without creating a duty to act, nothing in this Section 11.02 shall in any way limit the Collateral Agent’s right to act in the protection or preservation of, the rights under, or to enforce any, Security Document as contemplated by this Indenture or the relevant Security Document.
Despite the foregoing, any such payment by the Company or any Guarantor shall be made to or to the order of the Trustee, unless the Trustee directs the Company or such Guarantor in writing to make such payment to the Collateral Agent.
Without limiting or affecting the Collateral Agent’s rights against the Company and the Guarantors (whether under this Section 11.02 or under any other provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and subject to the following paragraph), the Collateral Agent agrees with the Trustee and each Holder (on a several basis) that it will not exercise its rights in respect of the Parallel Obligations except with the consent of the Trustee.
Nothing in this Section 11.02 shall in any way negate or affect the obligations which each of the Company and the Guarantors have to the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent and the Holders under this Indenture. For the purpose of this Section 11.02, the Collateral Agent acts in its own name and on behalf of itself and not as agent or representative of any other party hereto or as trustee, and the security over the Collateral granted under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement to the Collateral Agent to secure the Parallel Obligations is granted to the Collateral Agent in its capacity as creditor in respect of the Parallel Obligations.
118
(b) For the purposes of this Section 11.02, “Principal Obligations” means, in respect of each Agreed Jurisdiction and in relation to the Company or any Guarantor, any sums owing by it to the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or any Holder under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees.
SECTION 11.03. SECURITY DOCUMENTS.
(a) The due and punctual payment of the principal of, interest on, Additional Amounts, if any, and premium, if any, on the Notes and the Note Guarantees when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest (to the extent permitted by law) on the Notes and performance of all other obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Holders, the Agents, the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or the Trustee under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder, are secured as provided in the Security Documents.
(b) Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Note, and each Secured Party (subject to Section 7.02(e)) consents and agrees (i) to the appointment of the Collateral Agent and any other security agent appointed under the terms of the Security Documents and/or the Intercreditor Agreement and/or the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and/or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement (each, an “Additional Collateral Agent”) and (ii) the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for foreclosure and release of security over the Collateral) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent, each acting individually (in each case without further consent, sanction, authority or confirmation from any party) to enter into the Security Documents and to perform its respective obligations and exercise its respective rights thereunder in accordance therewith.
(c) The Company and each Guarantor, as applicable, will, in each case, in accordance with the Agreed Security Principles:
(i) promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Company or such Guarantor reasonably determines in good faith to be necessary:
(A) to perfect the Liens created or intended to be created under or evidenced by the Security Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other Lien over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to form part of, the Collateral) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Agent or the Secured Parties (as defined in the Security Documents) provided by or pursuant to the Notes Documents (as defined in the Security Documents) or by law; and/or
119
(B) to facilitate the realization of the assets which are, or are intended to form part of, the Collateral; and
(ii) take, and will cause any of its respective Subsidiaries to take any and all actions reasonably required to cause the Security Documents to create, perfect, protect and maintain, as security for the Obligations of the Company and the Guarantors hereunder, under the Notes and under the Note Guarantees, a valid and enforceable perfected Lien in and on all the Collateral, in favor of the Collateral Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent, each acting individually, for the benefit of the Holders, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
(d) On the Issue Date, the security for the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors shall be as provided on Schedule V hereto.
(e) The Holders and each Secured Party authorize and direct the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents with the Company without the further consent of the Holders.
(f) Each Holder by accepting a Note and each Secured Party hereby:
(i) grant the Collateral Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent all powers and authorities to, in their name and on their behalf, accept the terms and conditions of such Security Documents and any amendment, addendum or accession thereto, execute such Security Documents, any amendment, addendum or accession thereto and any other agreement, deed or instrument ancillary or otherwise related to such Security Documents, give or receive any notice and, without creating a duty to do so, to take any other action in relation to the creation, perfection, maintenance, enforcement, administration and release of the security granted thereunder;
(ii) undertake to ratify and approve all activities performed in their name and on their behalf by the Collateral Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent, acting in its appointed capacity; and
(iii) undertake to execute such powers of attorney or other instruments as may be necessary or appropriate in order to enable the Collateral Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent, to exercise the powers and authorities granted to it hereunder.
(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 11.03(f), in respect of the Security Documents governed by French law, each Holder by accepting a Note and each Secured Party hereby confirms its approval of such Security Documents creating or expressed to create a security benefiting to the Collateral Agent, the International
120
Security Agent and/or any other Additional Collateral Agent and irrevocably authorizes (with power of delegation), empowers and directs the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent (each acting individually and in each case, by itself or by such person(s) as it may nominate) to execute in its name and on its behalf such Security Documents (in each case, if such Security Document is to be executed by the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent or any other Additional Collateral Agent in the name and on behalf of such Secured Party), to perform the duties and to exercise the rights, powers and discretions that are specifically delegated to it under or in connection with such Security Documents, together with any other rights, powers and discretions which are incidental thereto and to give a good discharge for any moneys payable under such Security Documents, subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and/or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, each Holder by accepting a Note and each Secured Party hereby agrees in respect of the Security Documents governed by Swiss law which provide for an accessory Lien (akzessorische Sicherheit) that the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent (each acting individually) shall hold and administer and, as the case may be, release and (subject to the respective Lien having become enforceable) realize any such Collateral for itself and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) for and on behalf of each Holder and of each other Secured Party, and each present or future Holder and other Secured Party authorize the Collateral Agent, the International Security Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent (each acting individually) to act as their direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in relation to any and all matters in connection with such Security Documents.
SECTION 11.04. RELEASE OF COLLATERAL.
(a) The Collateral shall be released from the lien and security interest created by the Security Documents and the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, any other Additional Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent shall be authorized and directed for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties (without further consent, sanction authority or confirmation from any party) to release the Liens (or any other claim) over the Collateral and execute and deliver or enter into any release of such Liens or claim and issue any letters of non-crystallization of any floating charge or any ancillary document or consent to dealing that may, not in contravention of applicable law, be considered necessary or desirable:
(i) upon repayment in full of the Notes;
(ii) as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, any Additional Intercreditor Agreement or any Security Document;
(iii) in a transaction that complies with the provisions of Article 5. The Collateral Agent and the Trustee will effect any release of the Collateral that is in
121
accordance with this Indenture without requiring consent from the Holders, subject to the receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, certifying compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, from the Company;
(iv) upon the defeasance, satisfaction or discharge of the Notes as provided in Article 8 in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Indenture;
(v) upon (A) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition (any of the foregoing, a “Disposition”) of Collateral to a Person (other than Dispositions to one or more Obligors) if such Disposition does not violate Section 4.12 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, upon any Permitted Disposal); or (B) any Disposition of Collateral to an Obligor if such Disposition does not violate Section 4.12 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, upon any Permitted Disposal); provided that this clause (v)(B) shall not be relied upon in the case of a Disposition of Collateral to an Obligor unless, subject to the Agreed Security Principles, the relevant property and assets remain subject to, or otherwise become subject to, a Lien in favor of the Notes following such Disposition;
(vi) upon any Authorized Merger;
(vii) in accordance with Section 4.27; or
(viii) in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Note Guarantee pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the release of the property and assets and Capital Stock of such Guarantor;
provided in each case (other than in the case of clause (iv)), that the Liens in favor of the Second Lien Notes (or any Permitted Junior Debt Refinancing in respect thereof) and the SN Interest Second Lien Notes (or any Permitted Junior Debt Refinancing in respect thereof), are also so released.
(b) In addition, subject to Section 4.27, if a refinancing or an increase of any Financial Indebtedness secured with a Permitted Collateral Lien is implemented in a manner that releases any security interests over all or some of the Collateral, the security interest over such Collateral with respect to the Notes shall be released automatically and replaced by new security in favor of the Collateral Agent, any Additional Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent (as applicable), on substantially the same terms as prior to release; provided that following such release and retaking, the Company is in compliance with the terms of Section 4.27, and the security interests are legally valid and binding.
(c) The Trustee (without further consent, sanction, authority or confirmation from any party) shall direct the Collateral Agent and any other Additional Collateral Agent to deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing the release of Collateral upon receipt of a request by the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying as to the compliance with this Section 11.04; provided that the legal counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel may rely as to matters of fact on one or more Officers’ Certificates.
122
SECTION 11.05. AUTHORIZATION OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR THE TRUSTEE UNDER THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.05 of this Indenture, the rights and protections of the Trustee in this Indenture, including without limitation, Section 7.02(f), the Security Documents the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee shall, at the direction of Holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes, direct, on behalf of the Holders, the Collateral Agent and any other security agent appointed under the terms of the Security Documents, to take all actions the Holders deem necessary or appropriate in order to (a) enforce any of the terms of the Security Documents; and (b) collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees. Without creating any duty to do so, the Collateral Agent will have the power to institute and maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem expedient to prevent any impairment of the security over the Collateral by any acts that may be unlawful or in violation of this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement, and such suits and proceedings as the Collateral Agent may deem expedient to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the Holders in the security over the Collateral (including power to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislative or other governmental enactment of, or compliance with, such enactment, rule or order which would impair the security interest hereunder or be prejudicial to the interests of Holders, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent).
SECTION 11.06. AUTHORIZATION OF RECEIPT OF FUNDS BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE TRUSTEE UNDER THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS.
The Trustee and the Collateral Agent are authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions of this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and any Additional Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 11.07. DUTCH SECURITY.
The Obligors incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, shall create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of, among others, the Holders, as security for their payment obligations under the Notes Documents, the Dutch Security.
SECTION 11.08. INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AGENT.
All references in this Indenture to the Collateral Agent shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the International Security Agent.
123
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 12.01. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the TIA, the imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 12.02. NOTICES.
Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing (in the English language) and delivered in person or mailed by first class-mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Company or the Guarantors:
CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
00000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Houston, TX 77072
United States of America
Attention: Xxxxxxxx Place-Xxxxx
xxxxxxxx.xxxxx-xxxxx@XXX.xxx
Fax number: x00 00 00 00 000/x00 00 00 00 000
If to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch
One Canada Square
London E14 5AL
United Kingdom
Attention: Manager Corporate Trust Services
Fax number: x00 (0) 00 0000 0000
The Company, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or delivered by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, in each case to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. For Notes which are represented by global certificates held on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, notice may be given by delivery of the relevant notices to Euroclear and Clearstream for communication to entitled account holders in substitution of the aforesaid mailing. In addition, for so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and its rules so require, any such notice or communication (including any notice of redemption) to Holders shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg, which newspaper may be the Luxemburger Wort, or
124
if such newspaper ceases to be published or timely publication in it will not be practicable, in such other newspaper as the Company deems necessary to give fair and reasonable notice to the Holders. Notices may also be published on the Internet site of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at xxxx://xxx.xxxxxx.xx. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Section 313(c) of the TIA, to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to provide a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notices to the Trustee shall be effective only upon receipt. Any notice or communication given by newspaper or internet publication shall be deemed to have been given on the date of publication or, if published more than once or on different dates, on the first date on which publication is made in the manner required in the newspaper, in one of the newspapers referred to above or on the internet site referred to above.
Other than with respect to a notice to the Trustee, if a notice or communication is given in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Company gives a notice or communication to Holders, it shall give a copy at the same time to the Trustee and each Agent and, for so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.
In no event shall an Agent, the Trustee or any other entity of The Bank of New York Mellon group (the “BNYM Group”) be liable for any claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, expenses and judgments (including legal fees and expenses) to any party arising from an Agent or any BNYM Group member receiving or transmitting any data from the Company, any person authorized by the Company or any party to this Indenture via any non-secure method of transmission or communication, such as, but without limitation, by facsimile or e-mail. The Company accepts that some methods of communication are not secure and the Trustee, an Agent or any other BNYM Group member shall incur no liability for receiving instructions via any such non-secure method. The Trustee, an Agent or any other BNYM Group member is authorized to comply with and rely upon any such notice, instructions or other communications believed by it to have been sent or given by a person authorized by the Company or an appropriate party to the transaction (or an authorized representative thereof). The Company or authorized officers of the Company shall use all reasonable endeavors to ensure that instructions transmitted to the Trustee, an Agent or any other BNYM Group
125
member pursuant to this Indenture are complete and correct. Any instructions shall be conclusively deemed to be valid instructions from the Company or authorized officers of the Company to the Trustee, an Agent or any other BNYM Group member for the purposes of this Indenture.
SECTION 12.03. COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS OF NOTES WITH OTHER HOLDERS OF NOTES
Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.
SECTION 12.04. CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
SECTION 12.05. STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA) shall comply with the provisions of Section 314(e) of the TIA and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
126
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
SECTION 12.06. RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
SECTION 12.07. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND SHAREHOLDERS.
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or shareholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
SECTION 12.08. GOVERNING LAW.
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.
SECTION 12.09. NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Parent or the Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
SECTION 12.10. SUCCESSORS.
All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 12.11. SEVERABILITY.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 12.12. COUNTERPART ORIGINALS.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
127
SECTION 12.13. TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 12.14. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SUBMISSION TO PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
Each of the Company and the Guarantors irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or U.S. Federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City and State of New York over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Note Guarantee or Note. Each of the Company and the Guarantors irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have, pursuant to articles 14 and 15 of the French Civil Code or otherwise, to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in any inconvenient forum. The Trustee, the Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that nothing in this Section 12.14 shall prevent the Trustee, the Holders, the Company or the Guarantors from bringing any legal action, suit or proceeding arising out of or related to this Indenture or with respect to their respective obligations or liabilities hereunder in any court of competent jurisdiction for such legal action, suit or proceeding.
In furtherance of the foregoing, each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Cogency Global Inc., 00 X. 00xx Xxxxxx, 00xx xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 00000, as the agent of the Company and each of the Guarantors to receive service of all process brought against the Company or any such Guarantor with respect to any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court in the City and State of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by the Company and each of the Guarantors to be effective and binding service in every respect. Copies of any such process so served shall also be given to the Company in accordance with Section 12.02 hereof, but the failure of the Company or any Guarantor to receive such copies shall not affect in any way the service of such process as aforesaid. On the Issue Date, the Company and the Guarantors shall furnish to the Trustee a consent of Cogency Global Inc. agreeing to act hereunder. If for any reason Cogency Global Inc. shall resign or otherwise cease to act as such agent, the Company and each of the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agrees to (A) immediately designate and appoint a new agent reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to serve in such capacity and, in such event, such new agent shall be deemed to be substituted for Cogency Global Inc. for all purposes hereof and (B) promptly deliver to the Trustee the written consent (in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) of such new agent agreeing to serve in such capacity.
Nothing in this Section 12.14 shall limit the right of the Trustee or any Holder to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
128
To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby waives, and the Holders, by acceptance of their Notes, shall be deemed to have waived, any right to have a jury participate in resolving any dispute, whether sounding in contract, tort, or otherwise, between or among the parties or any other Persons in connection with or arising out of, connected with, or incidental to this Indenture, the Notes or any related agreement. Instead any such dispute shall be resolved in a bench trial without a jury.
If any Obligor incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, is represented by an attorney in connection with the signing and/or execution of this Indenture (including by way of accession to this Indenture) or any other agreement, deed or document referred to in or made pursuant to this Indenture, it is hereby expressly acknowledged and accepted by the other parties to the Indenture that the existence and extent of the attorney’s authority and the attorney’s exercise or purported exercise of his or her authority shall be governed by the laws of the Netherlands.
SECTION 12.15. PRESCRIPTION
Claims against the Company for the payment of principal, or premium, if any, on the Notes will be prescribed ten years after the applicable due date for payment thereof. Claims against the Company for the payment of interest on the Notes will be prescribed five years after the applicable due date for payment of interest.
SECTION 12.16. BAIL-IN.
Notwithstanding any other term of this Indenture or any other agreements, arrangements or understanding between the parties, each counterparty to a BRRD Party under this Indenture acknowledges, accepts and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the effect of the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority in relation to any BRRD Liability of any BRRD Party to it under this Indenture, that (without limitation) may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof:
(i) the reduction of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability or outstanding amounts due thereon;
(ii) the conversion of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability into shares, other securities or other obligations of the relevant BRRD Party or another person (and the issue to or conferral on it of such shares, securities or obligations);
(iii) the cancellation of the BRRD Liability;
(iv) the amendment or alteration of the amounts due in relation to the BRRD Liability, including any interest, if applicable, thereon, the maturity or the dates on which any payments are due, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and
129
(b) the variation of the terms of this Indenture, as deemed necessary by the Relevant Resolution Authority, to give effect to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority.
SECTION 12.17. PATRIOT ACT.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in order to help the United States government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, pursuant to federal regulations that became effective on October 1, 2003, Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, record and update information that identifies each person establishing a relationship or opening an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, such information as it may request, from time to time, in order for The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, including the name, address, tax identification number and other information that will allow it to identify the individual or entity who is establishing the relationship or opening the account, and may also ask for formation documents such as articles of incorporation or other identifying documents to be provided.
[Signature pages follow.]
130
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||
CGG HOLDING (U.S.) INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||
CGG S.A. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above:
CGG HOLDING B.V. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||
CGG SERVICES (U.S.) INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||
VIKING MARITIME INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||
ALITHEIA RESOURCES INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||
CGG LAND (U.S.) INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
||
Title: |
The foregoing indenture is hereby accepted and agreed as of the date first written above: | ||||
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH as Trustee and Paying Agent | ||||
By: |
| |||
Name: |
||||
Title: |
||||
THE BANK OF NEW YORK XXXXXX XX/NV, LUXEMBOURG BRANCH, as Registrar and Luxembourg Transfer Agent | ||||
By: |
| |||
Name: |
||||
Title: |
EXHIBIT A
(Face of Note)
CGG HOLDING (U.S.) INC.
Form of First Lien Senior Secured Note due 2023
No: [ ] |
Up to [ ] | |
Common Code: [ ] | ||
ISIN : [ ] |
CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc. hereby promises to pay to [●], or its registered assigns, the principal sum set forth in the Schedule of Exchange of Notes attached hereto on [●], 2023.
Interest Payment Dates: [●], [●], [●] and [●]
Record Dates: [●], [●], [●] and [●]
[THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1271 ET SEQ. OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME. A HOLDER MAY OBTAIN THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE NOTE BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 12.02]
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.
CGG HOLDING (U.S.) INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
|
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION: | ||
This is one of the Global Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch as Trustee | ||
By: |
| |
Authorized Signatory |
Date of Authentication:
A-2
(Back of Note)
First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023
[“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR BANK SA/NV (“EUROCLEAR”) OR CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME (“CLEARSTREAM”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF ITS AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR OR CLEARSTREAM (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO ITS AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR OR CLEARSTREAM), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, OR ITS AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”]7[Section 1145 Legend for the Original Notes]
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE HAVE BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 1145 OF THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY CODE, AS AMENDED (THE “BANKRUPTCY CODE”) THAT PROVIDES AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND APPLICABLE STATE STATUTES.”
[Restricted Notes Legend]
“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
7 | This paragraph should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
A-3
SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT TO A PERSON WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (V) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.”
[Regulation S Legend]
“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”
[Definitive Notes Legend]
“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER SHALL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”
A-4
1. INTEREST. CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note (including on any principal amount resulting from the payment of PIK Interest (as defined below)) from [●], 2018 until maturity (i) in cash at a rate equal to 3-month LIBOR (as defined below) re-set quarterly plus 6.50% per annum, plus (ii) as interest paid in kind by increasing the principal amount of the Note in a principal amount equal to such interest (“PIK Interest”) at a rate, fixed as of the Issue Date, equal to: (a) 2.50% per annum PIK Interest if the Outstanding Amount (as defined below) is greater than or equal to $700.0 million; (b) between 1.25% and 2.50% per annum PIK Interest if the Outstanding Amount is equal to or greater than $600.0 million, but less than $700.0 million (ratably adjusted so that each $1.0 million in Outstanding Amount (rounded up to the nearest $1.0 million) equals 1.25 basis points of PIK Interest); (c) between 0.00% and 1.25% per annum PIK Interest if the Outstanding Amount is equal to or greater than $500.0 million, but less than $600.0 million (ratably adjusted so that each $1.0 million in Outstanding Amount (rounded up to the nearest $1.0 million) equals 1.25 basis points of PIK Interest); or (d) 0.00% per annum PIK Interest if the Outstanding Amount is less than $500.0 million; provided that any payment of interest on the maturity date or in connection with accrued interest paid upon any redemption or repurchase of any Note as described under paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of the Notes shall be paid entirely in cash, including an amount equal to any PIK Interest component then due and payable. The Company will pay interest quarterly in arrears on [●], [●], [●], and [●] of each year, commencing on [●], 2018, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if, as determined by the Company, there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under applicable bankruptcy law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is the rate that is 2% higher than the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under applicable bankruptcy law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the year and the actual number of days elapsed.
With respect to an Interest Period, “3-month LIBOR” as determined by the Calculation Agent as soon as practicable after the Applicable Calculation Time on a Calculation Date shall be equal to the Applicable Offered Rate for deposits as such rate appears on the Applicable Reuters Page at the Applicable Calculation Time on such Calculation Date. If, on such Calculation Date, such rate does not appear on the Applicable Reuters Page as of the Applicable Calculation Time, or if the Applicable Reuters Page is not available on such date, the Calculation Agent shall obtain such rate from the Applicable Bloomberg Page. If no Applicable Offered Rate appears on the Applicable Reuters Page or the Applicable Bloomberg Page on the Calculation
A-5
Date at the Applicable Calculation Time, then the Parent will select four Major Banks to provide a quotation of the Applicable Offered Rate offered by it for deposits to prime banks in the Applicable Interbank Market, on that date and at that time, that is representative of single transactions at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, 3-month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average of the quotations provided. Otherwise, the Company shall select three major banks in New York City and shall request each of them to provide a quotation of the Applicable Offered Rate offered by them at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Calculation Date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading Major Xxxxx that is representative of single transactions at that time. If three quotations are provided, 3-month LIBOR shall be the arithmetic average of the quotations provided. If the Major Banks selected as aforesaid by the Company are not quoting such rates as mentioned above, 3-month LIBOR for such Interest Period will be 3-month LIBOR determined with respect to the immediately preceding Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time 3-month LIBOR as so determined would be less than 1.00%, then 3-month LIBOR shall be deemed at such time to be equal to 1.00%. All percentages resulting from any calculations in this paragraph will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred thousandth of a percentage point, with five one millionths of a percentage point being rounded upwards (e.g., 4.876545% (or .04876545) being rounded to 4.87655% (or .0487655)). The determination of 3-month LIBOR by the Calculation Agent shall, in the absence of gross negligence, willful misconduct or manifest error, be final and binding on all parties.
“Applicable Bloomberg Page” means “BBAM” or such other page as may replace such page on that service or any successor service for the purpose of displaying the Applicable Interbank Market offered rates for deposits of major banks.
“Applicable Calculation Time” means approximately 11:00 a.m. London time.
“Applicable Interbank Market” means the London interbank market.
“Applicable Offered Rate” means the rate offered for deposits or loans in U.S. dollars having an index maturity of three months, in amounts of at least $1,000,000.
“Applicable Reuters Page” means “Reuters Page LIBOR01” or such other page as may replace such page on that service or any successor service for the purpose of displaying the Applicable Interbank Market offered rates for deposits of major banks.
“Calculation Date” means that date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of the relevant Interest Period.
“Interest Period” means the period commencing (i) in respect of the first Interest Period in respect of a Note, the date of authentication of such Note and (ii) in respect of all subsequent Interest Periods, the most recent date to which interest has been paid and in each case ending on and including the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.
“Major Banks” means four major banks in the London interbank market.
A-6
“Outstanding Amount” means the aggregate principal amount of all Notes issued and outstanding under the Indenture immediately following the Restructuring Effective Date.
If the Notes have not been refinanced in full on or prior to [●], 2018,8 a fee (the “Rollover Fee”) payable in the form of PIK Interest equal to 3% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding immediately following the Restructuring Effective Date shall be immediately due and payable on the Notes.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the [●], [●], [●] and [●] next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose and, subject to any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto, at the specified offices of any other Paying Agent appointed by the Company for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, interest and premium, if any, on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or a Paying Agent by no later than the record date. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. The principal of the Notes shall be payable only upon surrender of any Note at the Corporate Trust Office or at the specified offices of any other Paying Agent.
If the due date for payment of the principal in respect of any Note is not a Business Day at the place in which it is presented for payment, the Holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment of the amount due until the next succeeding Business Day at such place and shall not be entitled to any further interest or other payment in respect of any such delay.
PIK Interest shall be payable with respect to the Notes represented by one or more Global Notes by the Company delivering an order to increase the principal amount of the applicable Global Note by the relevant amount or, if necessary, by issuing a new Global Note executed by the Company and an order to the Trustee (or its authenticating agent) to authenticate such new Global Note under the Indenture.
3. PAYING AGENTS, CALCULATION AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, the Trustee under the Indenture (the “Trustee”), will act as Principal Paying Agent and Calculation Agent at its Corporate Trust Office in London, England, and The Bank of New York Xxxxxx XX/NV, Luxembourg Branch, will act as Registrar and Transfer Agent in Luxembourg. The Company may at any time designate one or more additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office
8 | The three-month anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date. |
A-7
through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in the United Kingdom. The Company will give notice to the Holders of any such change by publication in a newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg, which newspaper is expected to be Luxemburger Wort. Such notices may also be published on the internet site of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at xxxx://xxx.xxxxxx.xx.
4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of [●], 2018 (the “Indenture”), among, inter alios, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa through 77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such act for a statement of such terms. The Notes are general, senior secured obligations of the Company limited to up to $[●] aggregate principal amount in the case of Notes issued on [●], 2018.
5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
(a) The Company may at any time on or prior to [●], 2018, unconditionally redeem, in whole but not in part, the Notes at its option at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption.
(b) At any time after [●], 20189, but on or prior to [●], 202110, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date of redemption.
(c) At any time after [●], 202111, the Company shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the applicable redemption date.
(d) The Company may at any time redeem unconditionally, in whole but not in part, the Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Tax Redemption Date and all Additional Amounts (as defined in Section 4.21 of the Indenture), if any, then due and which will become due on the Tax Redemption Date as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if the Company or any Guarantor determines, acting reasonably and in good faith, that it has become or would become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes as a result of a Change in Tax Law, and (ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company or any such Guarantor taking reasonable measures available to it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to this paragraph 5(d) may be given earlier than 60 days’ prior to the earliest date on which the Company could be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts if a payment in respect of the
9 | The six month anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date. |
10 | The third anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date. |
11 | The third anniversary of the Restructuring Effective Date. |
A-8
Notes or the Note Guarantees was then due. Prior to giving notice of any such redemption, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (y) an Officers’ Certificate stating that it is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to its right to redeem have been satisfied and that the obligation to pay Additional Amounts cannot be avoided by the Company or any such Guarantor taking reasonable measures available to it and (z) an Opinion of Counsel of an independent legal counsel of internationally recognized standing qualified under the laws of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction to the effect that the Company (as issuer), Guarantor or any successor entity has been or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts as a result of a Change of Tax Law.
(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 of the Indenture.
6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.
The Company shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
7. PUT OPTION OF HOLDER.
(a) If there is a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any portion (equal to $200,000 or an integral multiple of $1 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes, pursuant to an offer described in Section 4.17 of the Indenture (a “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall give notice to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of Control and setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.
(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales, within 30 days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20,000,000, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that, if the Company is required to apply such Excess Proceeds to purchase, or to offer to purchase, any Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Company shall only be required to offer to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the amount of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding. To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Company may use any
A-9
remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to repay, redeem or repurchase Junior Debt) in any manner not prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the procedures of the applicable depository, if any (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $200,000, or integral multiples of $1 in excess thereof, shall be purchased). Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.
8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. For Notes which are represented by global certificates held on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, notice may be given by delivery of the relevant notices to Euroclear and Clearstream for communication to entitled account holders in substitution of the aforesaid mailing. For so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and for so long as the rules of such exchange require, notices of redemption shall be published once by the Trustee, not less than five Business Days prior to the redemption date, in a newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg, which newspaper is expected to be Luxemburger Wort. Notices may also be published on the internet site of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at xxxx://xxx.xxxxxx.xx. Notes in denominations larger than $200,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $200,000 and integral multiples of $1 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.
10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions described in Article 9 of the Indenture, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal
A-10
amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties or assets, to secure the Notes, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to add any additional Guarantor or to release any Guarantor from its Note Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture, or to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or Additional Amounts if any, on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with Section 4.12 or 4.17 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 30 days after it receives written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to observe or perform any other covenant or other agreement in the Indenture or the Notes; (v) the declaration or payment of any dividend or the making of any other payment or distribution described in Section 4.09(a) of the Indenture, which declaration, payment or distribution would not be permitted by Section 4.09(b) of the Indenture if it were treated as a Restricted Payment; (vi) other than in connection with a Permitted Merger, the Company, the Parent or a Guarantor consolidates or merges with or into (whether or not such entity is the surviving corporation), or sells, assigns, transfers, leases, conveys, demerges or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its properties and assets in one or more related transactions, to, another Person, unless the conditions precedent specified in clauses (1) through (5) of Sections 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (as applicable) of the Indenture have been complied with; (vii) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Financial Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary), whether such Financial Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the Indenture, which default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium or interest or additional amounts on such Financial Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Financial Indebtedness, including any extension thereof (a “Payment Default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such Financial Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Financial Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Financial Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates in excess of $25,000,000, and provided further, that if such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Financial Indebtedness is repaid within a period of ten days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, an Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as said rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree; (viii) failure by the Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary to
A-11
pay final judgments (not covered by insurance) aggregating in excess of $25,000,000, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (ix) failure by any Guarantor to perform any covenant set forth in its Note Guarantee, or the repudiation by any Guarantor of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or the unenforceability of any Note Guarantee for any reason other than as provided in the Indenture; (x) the invalidity or unenforceability with respect to the Collateral or the Security Documents as described in Section 6.01(m) of the Indenture; and (xi) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Parent, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, by notice, declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Parent, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest, Additional Amounts, if any, or premium, if any, that have become due solely because of such acceleration) have been cured or waived. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
13. DEFEASANCE. The Notes are subject to legal and covenant defeasance upon the terms and conditions specified in Article 8 of the Indenture.
14. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
15. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or shareholder or other owner of capital stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Note Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
A-12
16. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
17. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
18. NOTE GUARANTEES. The Company’s obligations under the Notes are fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis, to the extent set forth in the Indenture, by each of the Guarantors. In addition, this Note is entitled to the benefits of the guarantee of each party that subsequent to the date of the Indenture becomes a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, any such party will unconditionally agree that the principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Notes will be duly and punctually paid in full when due, all as more fully set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture.
19. COMMON CODES; ISINS;. The Company has caused Common Codes and ISINs numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use the Common Codes and ISINs numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
00000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Houston, TX 77072
United States of America
Attention: Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
x00 0 00 00 00 00
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
x00 0 00 00 00 00
xxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx
A-13
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to
(Insert Assignee’s Soc. Sec. or Tax I.D. no.)
(Print or Type Assignee’s Name, Address and Zip Code)
and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: |
||||||||
Your Signature: | ||||||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||||||||
Signature | ||||||||
Guarantee: |
A-14
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGE OF NOTES12
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is [●]. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for other Notes have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount of This Global Note |
Amount of Increase in Principal Amount of This Global Note |
Principal Amount of This Global Note Following Such Decrease (or Increase) |
Signature of Authorized Officer of | ||||
12 | This should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
A-15
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or 4.17 of the Indenture, check the box below:
☐ |
Section 4.12 |
☐ |
Section 4.17 |
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or Section 4.17 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $
Date: |
Your Signature: (Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note) | |||
Soc. Sec. or Tax Identification No.: | ||||
Signature Guarantee: |
A-16
EXHIBIT B-1
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FOR TRANSFER OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
TO REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE
(Pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(ii) of the Indenture)
The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee
One Canada Square
London E14 5AL
United Kingdom
Attention: Manager Corporate Trust Services
Re: First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of [●], 2018 (the “Indenture”), among CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc. (the “Company”), any guarantors party thereto (the “Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
This letter relates to $ principal amount of Notes which are evidenced by one or more (i) Rule 144A Global Notes and held with the Common Depositary, (ii) IAI Global Notes and held with the Common Depositary or (iii) Section 1145 Global Notes and held with the Common Depositary, in each case in the name of (the “Transferor”). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such beneficial interest in the Notes to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of an equal principal amount of Notes evidenced by one or more Regulation S Global Notes, which amount, immediately after such transfer, is to be held with the Depository.
In connection with such request and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor hereby certifies that such transfer has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that:
(1) | The offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States; |
(2) | either: |
(a) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the transferee was outside the United States; or
(b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither the Transferor nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States;
B-1-1
(3) | no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 904(b) of Regulation S; |
(4) | the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration provisions of the Securities Act; and |
(5) | upon completion of the transaction, the beneficial interest being transferred as described above is to be held through Euroclear or Clearstream or both. |
Upon giving effect to this request to exchange a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Section 1145 Global Note, as applicable, for a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, the resulting beneficial interest shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer applicable to Regulation S Global Notes pursuant to the Indenture and the Securities Act and, if such transfer occurs prior to the end of the 40-day distribution compliance period associated with the initial offering of Notes, the beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes shall be held through Euroclear or Clearstream.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company and the Guarantors. Terms used in this certificate and not otherwise defined in the Indenture have the meanings set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
cc: CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
B-1-2
EXHIBIT B-2
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FOR TRANSFER OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
TO RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR IAI GLOBAL NOTE
(Pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(i) or (iii) of the Indenture)
The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee
One Canada Square
London E14 5AL
United Kingdom
Attention: Manager Corporate Trust Services
Re: First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of [●], 2018 (the “Indenture”), among CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc. (the “Company”), any guarantors party thereto (the “Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
This letter relates to $ principal amount of Notes which are evidenced by one or more of the following Notes that are being held by the Common Depositary: (i) Regulation S Global Notes, (ii) Rule 144A Global Notes, (iii) IAI Global Notes or (iv) Section 1145 Global Notes, in each case in the name of (the “Transferor”). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such beneficial interest in the Notes to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of an equal principal amount of Notes evidenced by one or more (i) Rule 144A Global Notes to be held with the Depository or (ii) IAI Global Notes to be held with the Depository,
In connection with such request and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ONE]
☐ | such transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the Notes are being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Notes for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A; |
or
☐ | such transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; |
B-2-1
or
☐ | such transfer is being effected pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than one described above, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that the Notes are being transferred in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and in accordance with the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is, if requested by the Company or the Registrar, supported by an Opinion of Counsel, provided by the transferor or the transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification) in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and to the Registrar, to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky laws of any state of the United States; |
and such Notes are being transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction.
Upon giving effect to this request to exchange a beneficial interest in Regulation S Global Notes, Rule 144A Global Notes or Section 1145 Global Notes for a beneficial interest in Rule 144A Global Notes or IAI Global Notes, as applicable, the resulting beneficial interest shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer applicable to Rule 144A Global Notes or IAI Global Notes, as applicable, pursuant to the Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company and the Guarantors.
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
cc: CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
B-2-2
EXHIBIT B-3
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FOR EXCHANGE OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER
OF DEFINITIVE NOTES
(Pursuant to Section 2.06(b) of the Indenture)
The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee
One Canada Square
London E14 5AL
United Kingdom
Attention: Manager Corporate Trust Services
Re: First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of [●], 2018 (the “Indenture”), among CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc. (the “Company”), any guarantors party thereto (the “Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
This relates to $ principal amount of Notes which are evidenced by one or more Definitive Notes in the name of (the “Transferor”). The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of such Definitive Note(s) in the form of an equal principal amount of Notes evidenced by one or more Definitive Notes, to be delivered to the Transferor or, in the case of a transfer of such Notes, to such Person as the Transferor instructs the Trustee.
In connection with such request and in respect of the Notes surrendered to the Trustee herewith (the “Surrendered Notes”), the Holder of such Surrendered Notes hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ONE]
☐ | the Surrendered Notes are being acquired for the Transferor’s own account, without transfer; |
or
☐ | the Surrendered Notes are being transferred to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, |
or
☐ | the Surrendered Notes are being transferred pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the Surrendered Notes are being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the Surrendered Notes for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A; |
B-3-1
or
☐ | the Surrendered Notes are being transferred in a transaction permitted by Rule 144 under the Securities Act; |
or
☐ | the Surrendered Notes are being transferred pursuant to an exemption under the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S to a Person who is an Institutional Accredited Investor and the Transferor further certifies that the transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to Definitive Notes bearing the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g) of the Indenture and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (a) if such transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of $250,000 or more, a certificate executed by the transferee in the form of Exhibit C to the Indenture, or (b) if such transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, (i) a certificate executed in the form of Exhibit C to the Indenture and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that (1) such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and (2) such transfer complies with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States; |
or
☐ | the Surrendered Notes are being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; |
and the Surrendered Notes are being transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company and the Guarantors.
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
cc: CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc.
B-2
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED BY
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTORS
(Pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(i) or 2.06(b) of the Indenture)
,
The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee
One Canada Square
London E14 5AL
United Kingdom
Attention: Manager Corporate Trust Services
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are delivering this letter in connection with our purchase of First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) of CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”). We hereby confirm that:
(i) we are an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act, as amended (the “Securities Act”) that is an institutional investor acquiring the Notes for its own account, or an entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act (an “Institutional Accredited Investor”);
(ii) any purchase of Notes by us will be for our own account or, if we are buying for one or more institutional accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary or agent and we are not a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) or a savings and loan association or other institution (as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act), each such account is an Institutional Accredited Investor;
(iii) we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of purchasing Notes and we, and any accounts for which we are acting, are able to bear the economic risks of its or their investment;
(iv) we are not acquiring Notes with a view to any distribution thereof in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities laws of any State of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction; provided, however, that the disposition of our property and the property of any accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary shall remain at all times within our control; and
(v) we acknowledge that we have had access to such financial and other information, and have been afforded the opportunity to ask such questions of representatives of the Company and receive answers thereto, as we deem necessary in connection with our decision to purchase Notes.
C-1
We understand that the Notes were offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and we agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of each account for which we acquire any Notes, that such Notes may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (i) to a person whom we reasonably believe to be a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, outside the United States in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 903 or 904 under the Securities Act, or in accordance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company so requests), (ii) to the Company or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement, and, in each case, in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction, and we will, and each subsequent holder of the Notes is required to, notify any subsequent purchaser from us or it of the resale restrictions set forth in clause (i) above. We acknowledge that the Notes will bear legends substantially to the foregoing effect. We understand that the registrar will not be required to accept for registration of transfer any Notes, except upon presentation of evidence satisfactory to the Company that the foregoing restrictions on transfer have been complied with.
We acknowledge that you and the Company will rely upon our confirmations, acknowledgments and agreements set forth herein, and we agree to notify you promptly in writing if any of our representations or warranties herein ceases to be accurate and complete.
THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[INSERT NAME OF PURCHASER] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: |
C-2
EXHIBIT D
NOTE GUARANTEE
Subject to Section 10.07 of the Indenture, each Guarantor, has jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes and the Obligations of the Company under the Notes or under the Indenture, that: (a) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on overdue principal of and premium, if any, (to the extent permitted by law) interest on the Notes and all other payment Obligations of the Company to the Holders, the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent under the Indenture or under the Notes will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other payment Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default under the Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under the Note Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors under the Indenture in the same manner and to the same extent as the Obligations of the Company. The Guarantors have agreed that their Obligations under the Indenture shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, has waived diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture. If any Holder, the Trustee, an Agent, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent or such Holder, the Note Guarantees, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor has agreed that it shall not be entitled to, and hereby has waived, any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture. Each Guarantor further has agreed that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed under the Indenture may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of its Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations
D-1
guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of its Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantees.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent and the International Security Agent pursuant to the Note Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantees. The terms of Article 10 of the Indenture are incorporated herein by reference. The Note Guarantees are subject to release as and to the extent provided in Sections 10.04, 10.05 and 10.06 of the Indenture.
Each Note Guarantee is a continuing guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its respective successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture until full and final payment of all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the Agents, the Collateral Agent or the International Security Agent the rights and privileges conferred in the Indenture upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. Each Note Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
For purposes hereof, each Guarantor’s liability under its Note Guarantee shall be limited in amount as provided in Section 10.07 of the Indenture.
Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
[GUARANTORS] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
D-2
EXHIBIT E
CGG HOLDING (U.S.) INC.
and
the Guarantors named herein
FIRST XXXX XXXXXX SECURED NOTES DUE 2023
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
DATED AS OF ,
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH
Trustee
E-1
This SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of , , is among CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the “Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of [●], 2018 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $[●],000,000 in principal amount of First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, Section 9.01(f) of the Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture in order to execute and deliver a guarantee (a “Note Guarantee”) to comply with Section 10.02 thereof without the consent of the Holders of the Notes; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed.
NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:
ARTICLE 1
SECTION 1.01. This Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 1.02. This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.
ARTICLE 2
SECTION 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 10.02 and by executing this Supplemental Indenture and the accompanying notation of Note Guarantee (a copy of which is attached hereto), the Guarantors whose signatures appear below are subject to the provisions of the Indenture to the extent provided for in Article 10 thereunder.
SECTION 2.02. If any Obligor incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, is represented by an attorney in connection with the signing and/or execution of this Supplemental Indenture (including by way of accession to this Supplemental Indenture) or any other
E-2
agreement, deed or document referred to in or made pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, it is hereby expressly acknowledged and accepted by the other parties to the Supplemental Indenture that the existence and extent of the attorney’s authority and the attorney’s exercise or purported exercise of his or her authority shall be governed by the laws of the Netherlands.
[SECTION 2.03. Additional limitation on guarantee provisions, if applicable.]
ARTICLE 3
SECTION 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.
SECTION 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Supplemental Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.
SECTION 3.03. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
SECTION 3.04. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.
[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]
E-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
CGG HOLDING (U.S.) INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[GUARANTORS] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH, as Trustee | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
E-4
SCHEDULE I
SPECIFIED DISPOSALS
The shares, assets or business as a going concern of Seabed Geosolutions B.V.
Interests in Global Seismic Shipping AS (including loans to Global Seismic Shipping AS)/Geowave Voyager vessel through a sale of shares or assets
DMS and Multi-Physics (Airborne) businesses
HEBEI SERCEL-JUNFENG GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING EQUIPMENT CO. LTD. (China)
Interests in GEOKINETICS INC. (USA)
Interests in PTSC CGGV GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY COMPANY LIMITED (including loans to such entity)
Sch I-1
SCHEDULE II
SPECIFIED LIQUIDATION ENTITIES
Sercel Australia
CGG Ground Geophysics (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
Sercel Canada
Digicon Ltd (Nigeria) (60%)
Compagnie générale de géophysique (Nigeria) Ltd
Veritas Geophysical Ltd
T.B.G Tecnica Brasileira De Geofisica Ltda.
CBG Geofisica LTDA
Exploraciones Geofisicas
Veritas Geophysical Chile Lda
Veritas DGC Land Guatemala SA
CGG Geoscience Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
CGG Holding South Africa (Pty.) Ltd (Airborne)
CGG Airborne Survey (Pty.) Ltd (Airborne)
GEO Explo
CGG Services (Myanmar) Co Ltd (Myanmar)
CGG Services (Gabon)
Exgeo
Sch II-1
SCHEDULE III
PERMITTED JOINT VENTURES
• | LASA Prospecções SA |
• | CGG Aviation (Canada) Limited |
• | Veri-Illuq Geophysical Ltd. |
• | Yamoria Geophysical, Ltd. |
• | Hebei Sercel-Jungfeng Geophysical Prospecting Equipment Co. Ltd. |
• | GOSCO Geoscience Services Limited |
• | P.T. CGG Services Indonesia |
• | PT. ELNUSA-CGGVERITAS SEISMIC |
• | Graal Tech S.R.L. |
• | Reservoir Evaluation Services LLP |
• | Veritas Caspian LLP |
• | CGG Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. |
• | Vitzel S.A. de C.V. |
• | Digicon (Nigeria) Ltd. |
• | CGG Eidesvik Ship Management AS |
• | Global Seismic Shipping AS |
• | Artic Geophysical Exploration LLC |
• | SEVOTEAM JSC |
• | ARABIAN GEOPHYSICAL & SURVEYING COMPANY - “ARGAS” |
• | Seabed Geosolutions B.V. |
• | Geokinetics Inc. |
• | Interactive Network Technologies Inc. |
• | Petroleum Edge Limited |
• | Reservoir Imaging Ltd. |
• | PTSC CGGV GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY COMPANY LIMITED |
Sch III-1
SCHEDULE IV
AGREED SECURITY PRINCIPLES
I. CONSIDERATIONS
In determining what Security will be provided in support of the Notes the following matters will be taken into account. Security shall not be created or perfected:
a. | to the extent that it would result in any breach of corporate benefit, financial assistance, fraudulent preference or thin capitalization laws or regulations (or analogous restrictions) of any applicable jurisdiction; |
b. | to the extent that it would result in a significant risk to the officers of the relevant grantor of Security of contravention of their fiduciary duties and/or of civil or criminal liability; |
c. | to the extent that it would result in costs or operational constraints that, in the good faith determination of the Company, are disproportionate to the benefit obtained by the beneficiaries of that Security; |
d. | in assets or properties owned by (i) CGG Marine Resources Norge AS; (ii) CGG Holding I (UK) Limited; (iii) CGG Holding II (UK) Limited; (iv) Sercel Inc.; (v) Sercel-GRC, provided that the concerned entity is not an Obligor (but, for the avoidance of doubt, subject to the other Agreed Security Principles if such entities become Obligors), or (vi) any other non-Obligors; |
e. | in streamers and other marine equipment owned by CGG Marine B.V. and receivables from rental agreements due to CGG Marine B.V.; |
f. | in shares of Sercel-GRC, provided that such shares are not held by an Obligor; |
g. | in bank accounts and securities accounts that are (i) payroll accounts and withholding tax accounts, (ii) escrow, fiduciary and trust accounts to the extent held for other persons or (iii) accounts below a threshold to be agreed. |
For the avoidance of doubt, in these Agreed Security Principles, “cost” includes, but is not limited to, income tax cost, registration taxes payable on the creation or enforcement or for the continuance of any Security, stamp duties, out-of-pocket expenses, and other fees and expenses directly incurred by the relevant grantor of Security or any of its direct or indirect owners, subsidiaries or Affiliates.
II. SECURITY ENFORCEMENT
To the extent legally possible in the relevant jurisdiction, the Security Documents will allow the Holders to enforce their Security without any restriction from: (i) the constitutional documents of the relevant Obligor; (ii) any company which is or whose assets are the subject of such Security (but subject to any inalienable statutory rights which the company may have to challenge such enforcement); or (iii) any shareholders of the foregoing not party to the relevant Security Document.
Sch IV-1
III. TERMS OF SECURITY DOCUMENTS
The following principles will be reflected in the Security Documents:
a. | the Liens in favor of the Notes will be first ranking, to the extent possible; |
b. | the enforcement of such Liens shall not be limited by any requirement to obtain cash consideration on sales or other disposals. Unless local law requires otherwise, non-cash consideration will be expressly permitted; |
c. | the Security Documents shall operate to create Security rather than to impose new commercial obligations. Accordingly, they shall not contain additional representations or undertakings unless the same are required for the creation, perfection or preservation of the Liens in favor of the Notes (or to the extent relevant, the assets which are the subject of the relevant Lien) or are consistent with local law and practice; |
d. | short form intellectual property security agreements shall be required to be filed with the U.S. Copyright Office or U.S. Patent & Trademark Office with respect to copyrights, patents and trademarks, as applicable, in each case which are registered in the U.S., of an Obligor; |
e. | account control agreements shall be required with respect to bank accounts and securities accounts in the United States of Obligors located in the United States or any state or territory thereof, to the extent required pursuant to the personal property security and pledge agreement referred to in Schedule V of this Indenture; |
f. | in respect of any Lien in favor of the Notes to be granted over intercompany receivables: |
i. | the Security-grantor shall, where necessary as a matter of local law, provide the Collateral Agent with a list of intercompany receivables at specified reasonable intervals; |
ii. | the terms of the relevant Security Document shall not prevent (y) the repayment of such intercompany receivables or (z) the transfer of such intercompany receivables to the extent such transfer is made in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; |
g. | any Security Documents entered into after the Restructuring Effective Date shall be on the same terms, in all material respects, to any equivalent existing Security Documents, save for changes required as a result of a change in law since those Security Documents were entered into. |
Sch IV-2
SCHEDULE V
INITIAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS
1) | NY Law Documents |
• | a personal property security and pledge agreement to which all Obligors organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof are a party |
• | a pledge agreement with respect to the equity interests of CGG Holding (U.S.) Inc. held by CGG Holding B.V. |
• | short form intellectual property security agreements with respect to each Obligor that owns trademarks, patents or copyrights registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office |
• | deposit account control agreements and securities accounts control agreements with respect to all deposit and securities accounts in the United States of Obligors located in the United States or any state or territory thereof, to the extent required pursuant to the personal property security and pledge agreement referred to above, and subject to the exceptions set forth in the Agreed Security Principles |
2) | French Law Documents |
• | a securities account pledge (nantissement de comptes-titres) related to the shares held by CGG SA in: |
(i) | CGG Services SAS, and |
(ii) | Sercel Holding SAS; and |
(iii) | Sercel SAS. |
• | a pledge over all present and future receivables (nantissement de créances) owned by CGG SA against CGG Services SAS pursuant to a treasury agreement dated 4 January 2010 as amended from time to time; and |
3) | Dutch Law Documents |
• | a deed of disclosed pledge over intercompany loan agreement receivables to be granted by CGG Holding B.V. as pledgor |
• | a deed of disclosed pledge over registered shares in CGG Marine B.V., to be granted by CGG Holding B.V. as pledgor |
4) | UK Law Documents |
• | one or more first ranking share charges to be granted by CGG Holding B.V., as charger, with respect to the equity interests of CGG Holding I (UK) Limited, CGG Holding II (UK) Limited and CGG Services (UK) Limited |
Sch V-1
5) | Norwegian Law Documents |
• | a customary Norwegian law pledge agreement with respect to the shares in CGG Marine Resources Norge AS held by CGG SA. |
6) | Swiss Law Documents |
• | a share pledge agreement with respect to the shares in CGG Data Services SA held by CGG Holding B.V. |
7) | Intercompany Loan Pledge Documents |
• | Any receivables or note pledge agreement to the extent any Obligor would have been required to deliver such Security Document pursuant to Section 4.37(g) of the Indenture as if such obligation were in effect as of June 30, 2017; provided that if the required delivery date of such Security Document would be within 30 days prior to the Restructuring Effective Date, such Obligor may deliver such Security Document 30 days after the Restructuring Effective Date. |
Sch V-2