EXHIBIT 3.6
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
XXXX BLUFF HUB PARTNERS, L.L.C.
Dated as of December 31, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS...............................................1
ARTICLE II FORMATION OF THE COMPANY..................................2
2.1 FORMATION.................................................2
2.2 NAME......................................................3
2.3 PLACE OF BUSINESS.........................................3
2.4 REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT....................3
2.5 TERM......................................................3
2.6 PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY....................................3
ARTICLE III INITIAL MEMBER............................................3
ARTICLE IV CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY....................................4
4.1 COMMON SHARES; INITIAL CONTRIBUTIONS......................4
4.2 COMMON SHARES; VOTING.....................................4
4.3 NO FURTHER OBLIGATION.....................................4
ARTICLE V MEETINGS OF MEMBERS; AMENDMENTS...........................4
5.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS.........................................4
5.2 ANNUAL MEETING............................................4
5.3 SPECIAL MEETINGS..........................................5
5.4 NOTICE OF MEETINGS........................................5
5.5 MEETING OF ALL MEMBERS....................................5
5.6 REGISTERED HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES; CLOSING
OF COMMON SHARES TRANSFER RECORD; AND RECORD DATE........5
5.7 QUORUM; ADJOURNMENT.......................................6
5.8 MANNER OF ACTING..........................................6
5.9 PROXIES...................................................6
5.10 ACTION BY MEMBERS WITHOUT A MEETING.......................6
ARTICLE VI RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MANAGERS.............................7
6.1 MANAGEMENT................................................7
6.2 NUMBER, QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS..........................7
6.3 POWERS OF THE MANAGERS....................................7
6.4 INITIAL MANAGERS AND CHAIRMAN.............................7
6.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS.........................................7
6.6 REGULAR MEETINGS..........................................7
6.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS..........................................8
6.8 ATTENDANCE AT AND NOTICE OF MEETINGS......................8
6.9 QUORUM OF AND ACTION BY MANAGERS..........................8
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6.10 MANAGER AND COMMITTEE ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING............8
6.11 MANAGER AND COMMITTEE TELEPHONE MEETINGS..................8
6.12 COMPENSATION..............................................8
6.13 REMOVAL; VACANCIES........................................9
6.14 COMMITTEES................................................9
6.15 VOTING...................................................10
6.16 LIABILITY OF MANAGERS....................................12
ARTICLE VII OFFICERS.................................................13
7.1 DESIGNATION..............................................13
7.2 POWERS AND DUTIES........................................14
7.3 VACANCIES................................................14
7.4 REMOVAL..................................................14
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION..........................................14
8.1 GENERAL..................................................14
8.2 EXPENSES RELATED TO PROCEEDINGS..........................14
8.3 ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES..................................15
8.4 REQUEST FOR INDEMNIFICATION..............................15
8.5 NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.................................15
8.6 INSURANCE AND SUBROGATION................................15
8.7 SEVERABILITY.............................................15
8.8 CERTAIN PERSONS NOT ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION..........15
8.9 DEFINITIONS..............................................16
8.10 NOTICES..................................................16
8.11 CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS.......................................16
ARTICLE IX ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.................................17
9.1 ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.................................17
ARTICLE X ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS............................17
10.1 ALLOCATIONS..............................................17
10.2 DISTRIBUTIONS............................................17
ARTICLE XI DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION..............................17
11.1 DISSOLUTION..............................................17
11.2 EFFECT OF DISSOLUTION....................................18
11.3 WINDING UP, LIQUIDATING AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS.......18
11.4 CERTIFICATE OF CANCELLATION..............................19
11.5 RETURN OF CONTRIBUTION NON-RECOURSE TO OTHER MEMBERS.....19
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.................................19
12.1 AMENDMENTS...............................................19
12.2 BOOKS AND RECORDS........................................19
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12.3 WAIVER OF NOTICE.........................................19
12.4 RESIGNATIONS.............................................19
12.5 SEAL.....................................................20
12.6 FISCAL YEAR..............................................20
12.7 APPLICATION OF DELAWARE LAW..............................20
12.8 WAIVER OF ACTION FOR PARTITION...........................20
12.9 EXECUTION OF ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS......................20
12.10 HEADINGS.................................................20
12.11 WAIVERS..................................................20
12.12 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE...........................20
12.13 SEVERABILITY.............................................20
12.14 HEIRS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS............................20
12.15 CREDITORS................................................21
12.16 COUNTERPARTS.............................................21
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LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF XXXX BLUFF HUB PARTNERS, L.L.C.
This Limited Liability Company Agreement (this "Agreement") is
dated as of December 31, 1997, by Market Hub Partners Storage, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("Storage L.P.").
WHEREAS, a certificate of formation of Xxxx Bluff Hub Partners,
L.L.C. (the "Company") has been filed with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, Storage L.P. is the Initial Member of the Company; and
WHEREAS, it is desired that the orderly management of the affairs
of the Company be provided for;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the
following meanings (unless otherwise expressly provided herein):
"Affiliate," with respect to a specified Person, shall mean a
Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls
or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. For
purposes of this definition, "control" shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise.
"Agreement" shall mean this Agreement as originally executed
and as it may be amended from time to time hereafter.
"Capital Contribution" shall mean any contribution to the
capital of the Company in cash or property by a Member whenever made.
"Certificate of Formation" shall mean the Certificate of
Formation of the Company filed with and endorsed by the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware, as such certificate may be amended from time to time
hereafter.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, or corresponding provisions of subsequent superseding federal revenue
laws.
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"Common Share" shall mean an undivided portion of all of the
rights, duties, obligations and ownership interests in the Company.
"Delaware Act" shall mean the Delaware Limited Liability
Company Act, as the same may be amended from time to time hereafter.
"Entity" shall mean any foreign or domestic general
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint
enterprise, trust, business trust, employee benefit plan, cooperative or
association.
"Fiscal Year" shall mean the Company's fiscal year, which
shall be determined by the Managers in accordance with Section 706(b) of the
Code.
"Initial Member" shall mean Storage L.P.
"Manager" shall mean any of the managers of the Company duly
appointed or elected to serve in such capacity under Delaware law and this
Agreement.
"Member" shall mean Storage L.P. and each Person to whom
Storage L.P. transfers Common Shares and who executes a counterpart of this
Agreement as a Member, but shall not include any Member that ceases to be a
Member.
"Person" shall mean any individual or Entity, and any heir,
executor, administrator, legal representative, successor or assign of such
"Person" where the context so admits.
"Special Majority Vote" shall mean a simple majority of
disinterested, non-affiliated Managers (counting all Managers affiliated with
the holders of Class C Common Stock of Market Hub Partners, Inc. as one Manager
for this purpose).
"Supermajority Vote" shall mean the affirmative vote of not
less than one-half (per capita) of the Managers (rounded, in the case of a
fraction, to the next whole number, and counting all Managers who also serve as
directors of Market Hub Partners, Inc. and are appointed by the holders of the
Class C Common Stock of such corporation as one Manager for this purpose)
representing voting power of at least 80% in the aggregate.
ARTICLE II
FORMATION OF THE COMPANY
2.1 FORMATION. On December 31, 1997, the Certificate of Formation
of the Company was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
pursuant to the Delaware Act.
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2.2 NAME. The name of the Company is Xxxx Bluff Hub Partners,
L.L.C. If the Company shall conduct business in any jurisdiction other than the
State of Delaware, it shall register the Company or its trade name with the
appropriate authorities in such state in order to have the legal existence of
the Company recognized.
2.3 PLACE OF BUSINESS. The Company may locate its places of
business and registered office at any place or places as the Managers may from
time to time deem advisable. The Company may also have offices at such other
places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Managers of the
Company may determine from time to time or as the business of the Company may
require.
2.4 REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT. The Company's
registered office shall be at the office of its registered agent at 0000 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, and the name of its initial registered agent
at such address shall be The Corporation Trust Company.
2.5 TERM. The Company and this Agreement shall continue until the
earliest of (a) such time as all of the Company's assets have been sold or
otherwise disposed of or (b) such time as the Company's existence has been
terminated as otherwise provided herein or in the Delaware Act.
2.6 PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY. The purpose of the Company shall be
to do any or all things that may lawfully be done by a limited liability company
pursuant to the Delaware Act. The Company shall have any and all powers
necessary or desirable to carry out the purpose and business of the Company to
the extent the same may be legally exercised by limited liability companies
under the Delaware Act. The Company shall carry out the foregoing activities
pursuant to the Certificate of Formation and this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
INITIAL MEMBER
The name and place of business of the initial Member (the
"Initial Member") is as follows:
Market Hub Partners Storage, L.P.
00000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
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ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY
4.1 COMMON SHARES; INITIAL CONTRIBUTIONS.
(a) A class of equity interests denominated the "Common
Shares" is hereby designated as the sole class of equity interests of the
Company. Each issued and outstanding Common Share shall at any time represent
that undivided portion of all of the rights, duties, obligations and ownership
interests in the Company in proportion to the total number of Common Shares
outstanding at such time. The aggregate number of Common Shares which the
Company shall have authority to issue is one thousand (1,000) Common Shares.
(b) The Company has issued to the Initial Member one
thousand (1,000) Common Shares in consideration of the payment of $1,000 by the
Initial Member to the Company. Such Common Shares have been validly issued and
are outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable.
4.2 COMMON SHARES; VOTING. Each Common Share shall be entitled to
one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of holders of Common Shares. Common
Shares shall be entitled to vote on each matter submitted to a vote of Members.
4.3 NO FURTHER OBLIGATION. No Member shall have any obligation to
provide additional funds to the Company, whether by Capital Contributions,
loans, return of monies received pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS; AMENDMENTS
5.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of Members shall be held at such
place within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated by the
Managers of the Company or the officer calling the meeting. If no designation is
made, the meeting shall be held at the principal offices of the Company.
5.2 ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Members of this
Company shall be held on March 31 of each year, at ten o'clock A.M., and on any
subsequent day or days to which such meeting may be adjourned, for the purposes
of electing Managers and of transacting such other business as may properly come
before the meeting. The Managers of the Company shall designate the place for
the holding of such meeting, and at least ten days' notice shall be given to the
Members of the place so fixed. If the day designated herein is a legal holiday,
the annual meeting shall be held on the first succeeding day which is not a
legal holiday. If for any reason the annual meeting shall not be held on the day
designated herein, the Managers of the Company shall cause the annual
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meeting to be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient. Failure to hold the
annual meeting at the designated time shall not work a dissolution of the
Company.
5.3 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Members may be
called at any time by the Chairman, the President, all of the Managers or the
Members of the Company. Upon written request of any person or persons who have
duly called a special meeting, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to fix the
date of the meeting to be held not less than ten nor more than 60 days after the
receipt of the request and to give due notice thereof. If the Secretary shall
neglect or refuse to fix the date of the meeting and give notice thereof, the
person or persons calling the meeting may do so. Every special meeting of the
Members shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware as
the Managers of the Company may designate, or, in the absence of such
designation, at the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware.
5.4 NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written or printed notice of all meetings
stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special
meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be
delivered not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the
meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the Secretary
or President of the Company, to each Member entitled to vote at such meeting. If
mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United
States mail addressed to the Member at such Member's address as it appears on
the transfer records of the Company, with postage thereon prepaid. If
transmitted by way of facsimile, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered on
the date of such facsimile transmission to the fax number, if any, for the
respective Member that has been supplied by such Member to the Manager and
identified as such Member's facsimile number.
5.5 MEETING OF ALL MEMBERS. If all of the Members shall meet at
any time and place and consent to the holding of a meeting at such time and
place, such meeting shall be valid without call or notice, and at such meeting
lawful action may be taken.
5.6 REGISTERED HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES; CLOSING OF COMMON SHARES
TRANSFER RECORD; AND RECORD DATE.
(a) REGISTERED HOLDERS AS OWNERS. Unless otherwise
provided under Delaware law, the Company may regard the person in whose name any
shares issued by the Company are registered in the transfer records of the
Company at any particular time (including, without limitation, as of a record
date fixed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 5.6) as the owner of those
Common Shares at that time for purposes of voting those Common Shares, receiving
distributions thereon or notices in respect thereof, transferring those Common
Shares, exercising rights of dissent with respect to those Common Shares,
entering into agreements with respect to those Common Shares, or giving proxies
with respect to those Common Shares; and neither the Company nor any of its
officers, Managers, employees or agents shall be liable for regarding that
person as the owner of those Common Shares at that time for those purposes,
regardless of whether that person possesses a certificate for those Common
Shares.
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(b) RECORD DATE. For the purpose of determining
Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Members or any
adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive a distribution by the Company or a
Common Share dividend, or in order to make a determination of Members for any
other proper purpose, the Managers of the Company may fix in advance a date as
the record date for any such determination of Members, such date in any case to
be not more than 60 days and, in the case of a meeting of Members, not less than
ten days prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such
determination of Members is to be taken. The Managers of the Company shall not
close the books of the Company against transfers of Common Shares during the
whole or any part of such period.
5.7 QUORUM; ADJOURNMENT. Unless otherwise provided in this
Agreement, as it may be amended or restated in accordance with the Delaware Act,
a majority of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company entitled to vote,
present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any
meeting of the Members, and the Members present at any duly convened meeting may
continue to do business until adjournment notwithstanding any withdrawal from
the meeting of holders of Common Shares counted in determining the existence of
a quorum. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, any meeting of the
Members may be adjourned from time to time, without notice other than by
announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken, and at any such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present any action may be taken
that could have been taken at the meeting originally called; PROVIDED that if
the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given to each Member of record entitled to vote at the
adjourned meeting.
5.8 MANNER OF ACTING. With respect to any matters as to which no
other voting requirement is specified by the Delaware Act or this Agreement, the
affirmative vote required for Member action shall be that of a majority of the
Common Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting (as
counted for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at the meeting).
5.9 PROXIES. At all meetings of Members, a Member may vote in
person or by proxy executed in writing by the Member or by a duly authorized
attorney-in-fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the Managers of the Company
before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after 11 months
from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
5.10 ACTION BY MEMBERS WITHOUT A MEETING. Unless otherwise
provided in this Agreement in accordance with the Delaware Act, any action
required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of Members of the Company
or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such
Members may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote,
if a consent in writing, setting forth the actions so taken, shall be signed by
the holders of outstanding Common Shares having not less than the minimum number
of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting
at which all Common Shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. The
prompt notice of taking of the Company's action without a
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meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given by the Secretary
of the Company to those Members who have not consented in writing.
ARTICLE VI
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MANAGERS
6.1 MANAGEMENT. The powers of the Company shall be exercised by
or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Company shall be
managed by, its Managers. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly
conferred by this Agreement upon the Managers, the Managers may exercise all
such powers of the Company and do all such lawful acts and things as are not
directed or required to be exercised or done by the Members by the Delaware Act,
the Certificate of Formation of the Company or this Agreement.
6.2 NUMBER, QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS. The number of Managers of
the Company shall be not more than seven (7). Managers need not be residents of
the State of Delaware or Members of the Company. The Managers, in their
discretion, may elect a chairman of the Managers who shall preside at any
meetings of the Managers. Each Manager shall hold office for the full term for
which such Manager is elected and until such Manager's successor shall have been
duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death or resignation or
removal in accordance with this Agreement.
6.3 POWERS OF THE MANAGERS. Without limiting the generality of
Section 6.1, the Managers shall have power and authority, acting in concert in
accordance with this Agreement, to cause the Company to do and perform all acts
as may be necessary or appropriate to the conduct of the Company's business.
6.4 INITIAL MANAGERS AND CHAIRMAN. The initial Managers shall be
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, M. Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx. The Chairman of the initial Managers shall be Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx.
6.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of the Managers of the Company,
regular or special, may be held either within or without the State of Delaware,
at whatever place is specified by the person or persons calling the meeting. In
the absence of a specific designation, the meetings shall be held at the
principal office of the Company.
6.6 REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Managers shall be
held at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware, at such
hour and on such day as may be fixed by resolution of the Managers, without
further notice of such meetings. The time or place of holding regular meetings
of the Managers may be changed by the Chairman or the President of the Company
by giving written notice thereof as provided in Section 6.8 hereof.
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6.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Managers shall be
held, whenever called by the Chairman, the President of the Company, by one
Manager or by resolution adopted by the Managers, at such place or places within
or without the State of Delaware as may be stated in the notice of the meeting.
6.8 ATTENDANCE AT AND NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice of the
time and place of, and general nature of the business to be transacted at, all
special meetings of the Managers, and written notice of any change in the time
or place of holding the regular meetings of the Managers, shall be given to each
Manager personally or by mail or by telegraph, telecopier or similar
communication at least ten days before the day of the meeting; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that notice of any meeting need not be given to any Manager if waived
by him or her in writing, or if he or she shall be present at such meeting.
Participation in a meeting of the Managers shall constitute presence in person
at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the
express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground
that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
6.9 QUORUM OF AND ACTION BY MANAGERS. A majority (by voting power
as determined pursuant to Section 6.15(a)) of the Managers in office shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but a lesser number may
adjourn from day to day until a quorum is present. Except as otherwise provided
by law or in this Agreement, all questions shall be decided by a majority of the
votes cast by the Managers present.
6.10 MANAGER AND COMMITTEE ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Unless
otherwise restricted by this Agreement, any action required or permitted to be
taken at a meeting of the Managers or any committee thereof may be taken without
a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed
by all of the Managers of the Company or such committee, as the case may be, and
filed with the Secretary of the Company.
6.11 MANAGER AND COMMITTEE TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Subject to the
provisions required or permitted by the Delaware Act for notice of meetings,
unless otherwise restricted by this Agreement, the Managers, or members of any
committee designated by the Managers, may participate in and hold a meeting of
such Managers or committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this
Section 6.11 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a
person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened.
6.12 COMPENSATION. Managers shall not be entitled to receive
compensation for their services.
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6.13 REMOVAL; VACANCIES.
(a) No Manager of the Company shall be removed from
office as a Manager by vote or other action of the Members or otherwise except
by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting
power of all issued and outstanding Common Shares generally entitled to vote in
the election of Managers, voting together as a single class. Any such removal
may be effected with or without cause.
(b) Any vacancy in the management shall be filled by the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of
all issued and outstanding Common Shares generally entitled to vote in the
election of Managers, voting together as a single class.
6.14 COMMITTEES.
(a) The Managers, by resolution adopted by a
Supermajority of the full Managers, may designate one or more committees, each
of which shall be comprised of one or more Managers, and may designate one or
more Managers as alternate members of any committee, who may, subject to any
limitations imposed by the Managers, replace absent or disqualified members at
any meeting of that committee. Any such committee shall have the authority
delegated to it in such resolution or in this Agreement, to the extent permitted
by the Delaware Act.
(b) The Managers shall have the power at any time to
change the membership of any such committee and to fill vacancies in it. A
majority of the number of members of any such committee shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business unless a greater number is required by a
resolution adopted by the Managers. The act of the majority of the members of a
committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act
of the committee, unless the act of a greater number is required by a resolution
adopted by the Managers. Each such committee may elect a chairman and appoint
such subcommittees and assistants as it may deem necessary. Except as otherwise
provided by the Managers, meetings of any committee shall be conducted in
accordance with Sections 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12 and 12.3 hereof. Any
member of any such committee elected or appointed by the Managers may be removed
by the Managers whenever in their judgment the best interests of the Company
will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the
contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of a
member of a committee shall not of itself create contract rights.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no committee of or
established by the Managers shall be entitled to act on behalf of the Company on
any matter that otherwise requires a Supermajority vote of the Managers.
(d) Any action taken by any committee of the Managers
shall promptly be recorded in the minutes and filed with the Secretary of the
Company.
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6.15 VOTING.
(a) Each Manager shall have the voting power assigned
to such Manager upon such Manager's election as Manager. The voting power of
each such Manager shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting at which the
Manager was elected. Each initial Manager shall have voting power as set forth
in the Certificate of Incorporation of Market Hub Partners, Inc.
(b) So long as the Company shall act as Managing General
Partner pursuant to that certain Agreement of Limited Partnership of Xxxx Bluff
Hub Partners, L.P., dated as of December 15, 1994 (the "Partnership Agreement"),
a Supermajority Vote of the Managers shall be required for the Company to take
or cause to be taken any of the following actions in its role as Managing
General Partner of Xxxx Bluff Hub Partners, L.P. (the "Partnership")
(capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
set forth in the Partnership Agreement):
(1) Acquisitions or divestitures of assets for
consideration in excess of $1 million;
(2) Approval of Expansions (as such term is
defined in the Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Market Hub Partners, L.P.
(the "MHP Agreement")) of the Facilities (as
such term is defined in the MHP Agreement)
not in the original Development Plan of the
MHP Agreement involving capital expenses in
excess of $1 million;
(3) Approval of any financing plan which
includes undertakings by the Partnership to
incur debt obligations, guarantees or other
financial obligations to lenders, creditors,
investors, institutions or similar parties
outside the Partnership ("Financing Plan");
(4) Approval of credit agreement, instruments
evidencing debt, guarantees of debt or other
undertakings outside of the Financing Plan
of the Partnership;
(5) Modifications to budgets or operating plans
for the Facility in the event that:
(i) at any time, any revision of the
project budget results in a
difference of more than 15% from the
stated amount in the Development
Plan described in the MHP Agreement;
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(ii) at the time of the stated Checkpoint
Date in the Development Plan, the
calculated percentage of capacity
actually leased deviates from the
stated Checkpoint Date Leases
Signed percentage by more than 15%
of such stated percentage, where
the calculated percentage excludes
any leases signed which are of
inadequate term or are otherwise
inadequate to support debt
financing of the Facility as
anticipated in the Financing Plan;
or
(iii) service has not commenced as of the
in service date for a Facility as
specified in the Development Plan.
(6) Approval of budgets submitted to the Company
for the Partnership;
(7) Approval of merger, consolidation, or
transactions of a similar nature involving
the Company or the Partnership;
(8) Approval of the form and substance of
filings required by any regulatory agency;
(9) Prior approval of the execution by a Partner
of the Partnership of any contract
obligating the Partnership or a Facility to
expenditures in excess of $100,000;
(10) Entering into agreements for the provision
of services to the Partnership or the
Facility, including development,
engineering, construction, operation,
maintenance, administration, sales,
electronic title tracking and trading
information services;
(11) Entering into agreements for the provision
of operation support services to the
Partnership or the Facility, including
legal, accounting and regulatory support
services, and for the provision of
miscellaneous services budgeted at more than
$10,000;
(12) The issuance of any Common Shares of the
Company;
(13) Withdrawal of the Company as the general
partner of the Partnership.
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(c) A Supermajority Vote of the Managers shall be required
to approve the Company's annual general and administrative budget.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Special Majority Vote
shall be required for the Company to take or cause to be taken, any of the
following actions in its role as Managing General Partner of the Partnership:
(1) Entering into any loan, note or other
agreement with, or approving fees or
commissions to be paid to, any Partner or
Affiliate of any Partner (as each such term
is defined in the Partnership Agreement);
(2) Amending or terminating agreements for the
provision of services to the Partnership or
an Affiliate of the Partnership, including
development, engineering, construction,
operation, maintenance, administration,
sales, electronic title tracking and trading
information services;
(3) Amending or terminating agreements for the
provision of operation support services to
the Partnership or an Affiliate of the
Partnership, including legal, accounting and
regulatory support services, and for the
provision of miscellaneous services budgeted
at more than $10,000;
(4) Determining whether the Partnership should
pursue legal, equitable or administrative
rights or remedies on behalf of the
Partnership against a Partner or one or more
of its Affiliates;
(5) Exercising the audit rights of the
Partnership or Affiliates of the Partnership
with respect to any contract providing for
such rights entered into with a Partner or
Affiliate of Partner.
(6) Determining indemnification rights pursuant
to Section 8.02(g) of the Partnership
Agreement.
(e) The unanimous vote of the Managers shall be required
for the Company to take or cause to be taken, in its role as Managing General
Partner of the Partnership, any action with respect to approval of the
construction of any new facility other than an approved Expansion of a Facility.
6.16 LIABILITY OF MANAGERS. A Manager shall not be liable under
any judgment, decree or order of a court, or in any other manner, for any debt,
obligation or liability of the Company by reason of his acting as a Manager of
the Company. A Manager of the Company shall
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not be personally liable to the Company or its Members for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a Manager, except for liability for any acts or
omissions that involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of
law or for a distribution in violation of the Delaware Act as a result of the
willful or grossly negligent act or omission of the Manager. If the laws of the
State of Delaware are amended after the date of this Agreement to authorize
action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of Managers, then
the liability of a Manager of the Company, in addition to the limitation on
personal liability provided herein, shall be limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the amended laws of the State of Delaware. Any repeal or
modification of this Section 6.16 by the Members of the Company shall be
prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal
liability of a Manager of the Company existing at the time of such repeal or
modification or thereafter arising as a result of acts or omissions prior to the
time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE VII
OFFICERS
7.1 DESIGNATION. The officers of the Company shall consist of a
Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers
as may be elected or appointed by the Managers. Any number of offices may be
held by the same person.
(a) The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subject
to the control of the Managers, shall have general supervision and control of
the business, affairs and properties of the Company and its general officers.
The Chief Executive Officer shall possess the same power as the President to
sign all contracts, certificates and other instruments of the Company which may
be authorized by the Managers. The Chief Executive Officer shall also perform
such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be
assigned to him by the Managers.
(b) The President shall be the Chief Operating Officer of
the Company and, subject to the control of the Managers and the Chief Executive
Officer, shall have general supervision of the business, affairs and properties
of the Company and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Managers are
carried into effect. The President shall also perform such other duties and may
exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by the
Managers and the Chief Executive Officer.
(c) The Treasurer shall be the treasurer of the Company
and shall have the custody of the Company's funds and securities and shall keep
full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to
the Company and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name
and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by
the Managers. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be
ordered by the Managers, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and
shall render to the President and the Managers, at their regular meeting or when
the Managers so require, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of
the financial condition of the Company.
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(d) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
Managers and record all the proceedings thereat in a book or books to be kept
for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of the Managers and shall perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Managers, Chief Executive Officer or President, under whose
supervision he or she shall serve. The Secretary shall see that all books,
reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records of the Company
required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may
be.
7.2 POWERS AND DUTIES. The officers of the Company shall have
such powers and duties as generally pertain to their offices, except as modified
herein or by the Managers of the Company, as well as such powers and duties as
from time to time may be conferred by the Managers of the Company.
7.3 VACANCIES. Whenever any vacancies shall occur in any office
by death, resignation, increase in the number of offices of the Company, or
otherwise, the same shall be filled by the Managers of the Company, and the
officer so elected shall hold office until such officer's successor is elected
or appointed or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
7.4 REMOVAL. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the
Managers of the Company may be removed by the Managers of the Company whenever
in their judgment the best interests of the Company will be served thereby, but
such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the
person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of
itself create contract rights.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 GENERAL. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses
(as this and all other capitalized words are defined in Section 8.9 hereof) to,
Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the
date of effectiveness of this Agreement, and to such greater extent as
applicable law may thereafter permit. The rights of Indemnitee provided under
the preceding sentence shall include, but not be limited to, the right to be
indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Act.
8.2 EXPENSES RELATED TO PROCEEDINGS. If Indemnitee is, by reason
of his Company Status, a witness in any Proceeding or is a party to and is
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be
indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on
his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in
such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to any Matter
in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf relating to each
Matter. The termination of any Matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or
without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such Matter.
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8.3 ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Indemnitee shall be advanced
Expenses within ten days after requesting them to the fullest extent permitted
by the Delaware Act.
8.4 REQUEST FOR INDEMNIFICATION. To obtain indemnification
Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request with such information
as is reasonably available to Indemnitee. The Secretary of the Company shall
promptly advise the Managers of the Company of such request.
8.5 NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights of indemnification and
advancement of Expenses as provided by this Article VIII shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled
under applicable law, this Agreement, any other agreement, a vote of the Members
of the Company or a resolution of the Managers of the Company, or otherwise. No
amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VIII or any provision thereof
shall be effective as to any Indemnitee for acts, events and circumstances that
occurred, in whole or in part, before such amendment, alteration or repeal. The
provisions of this Article VIII shall continue as to an Indemnitee whose Company
Status has ceased and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and
administrators.
8.6 INSURANCE AND SUBROGATION. To the extent the Company
maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for
Managers or officers of the Company or of any other limited liability company,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee
shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their
terms to the maximum extent of coverage available for any such Manager or
officer under such policy or policies.
In the event of any payment hereunder, the Company shall be
subrogated to the extent of such payment to all the rights of recovery of
Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary
to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to
enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
The Company shall not be liable under this Article VIII to make
any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if, and to the extent
that, Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any
insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
8.7 SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Article
VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason
whatsoever, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and, to the
fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII shall be construed
so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid,
illegal or unenforceable.
8.8 CERTAIN PERSONS NOT ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VIII, no person shall be
entitled to indemnification or advancement of
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Expenses under this Article VIII with respect to any Proceeding, or any Matter
therein, brought or made by such person against the Company.
8.9 DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Article VIII:
"Company Status" describes the status of a person who is
or was a Manager, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any
other limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at
the request of the Company.
"Expenses" shall include all reasonable attorneys' fees,
retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel
expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges,
postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the
types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing
to prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in
a Proceeding.
"Indemnitee" includes any person who is, or is threatened
to be made, a witness in or a party to any Proceeding as described in Section
8.1 or 8.2 hereof by reason of his Company Status.
"Matter" is a claim, a material issue, or a substantial
request for relief.
"Proceeding" includes any action, suit, arbitration,
alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or
any other proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.
8.10 NOTICES. Any communication required or permitted to the
Company shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company and any such
communication to Indemnitee shall be addressed to his home address unless he
specifies otherwise and shall be personally delivered or delivered by overnight
mail delivery.
8.11 CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS. The right to be indemnified or to the
advancement or reimbursement of Expenses (i) is a contract right based upon good
and valuable consideration, pursuant to which Indemnitee may xxx as if these
provisions were set forth in a separate written contract between him and the
Company, (ii) is and is intended to be retroactive and shall be available as to
events occurring prior to the adoption of these provisions and (iii) shall
continue after any rescission or restrictive modification of such provisions as
to events occurring prior thereto.
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ARTICLE IX
ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES
9.1 ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES. The certificates for the Common
Shares shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Managers or may be
uncertificated. In the case of certificated Common Shares, the Company shall
deliver certificates representing Common Shares to which Members are entitled.
Certificates representing such certificated Common Shares shall be signed by the
President and either the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and may bear the
seal of the Company or a facsimile thereof. The signatures of such officers upon
a certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose
facsimile signature has been placed upon such certificate shall have ceased to
be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
Company with the same effect as if such person were such officer at the date of
its issuance. Upon the transfer of a Common Share, the Company shall issue
replacement Certificates according to such procedures as the Company may
reasonably establish.
ARTICLE X
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
10.1 ALLOCATIONS. Except as may otherwise be unanimously agreed
by the Managers with the consent of the Members, all items of income, gain,
loss, deduction, and credit of the Company shall be allocated among the Members
in accordance with their ownership interest in the Company expressed as a
percentage of the total Common Shares issued and outstanding.
10.2 DISTRIBUTIONS. From time to time the Managers, by unanimous
agreement, may determine to what extent (if any) the Company's cash on hand
exceeds its current and anticipated needs, including, without limitation, for
operating expenses, debt service, acquisitions, and a reasonable contingency
reserve, and if such an excess exists, cause the Company to distribute to the
Members, in accordance with their ownership interest in the Company expressed as
a percentage of the total Common Shares issued and outstanding (or such other
proportions as all of the Managers may agree, with the consent of the Members)
an amount in cash equal to that excess.
ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION
11.1 DISSOLUTION. The Company shall dissolve upon the occurrence
of any of the following events:
(a) if the Members so agree in writing;
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(b) if the holders of a majority of the voting power of
all issued and outstanding Common Shares generally entitled to vote in
the election of Managers vote to dissolve the Company; or
(c) as otherwise provided under the Delaware Act.
11.2 EFFECT OF DISSOLUTION. Upon the occurrence of any of the
events specified in this Article effecting the dissolution of the Company, the
Company shall cease to carry on its business, except insofar as may be necessary
for the winding up of its business, but its separate existence shall continue
until a certificate of cancellation has been issued by the Secretary of State or
until a decree dissolving the Company has been entered by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
11.3 WINDING UP, LIQUIDATING AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS.
(a) Upon dissolution, an accounting shall be made of
the accounts of the Company and of the Company's assets, liabilities and
operations, from the date of the last previous accounting until the date of
dissolution. The Managers shall immediately proceed to wind up the affairs of
the Company.
(b) If the Company is dissolved and its affairs are to
be wound up, the Managers shall (1) sell or otherwise liquidate all of the
Company's assets as promptly as practicable (except to the extent the Managers
may determine to distribute any assets in kind to the Members), (2) allocate any
income or loss resulting from such sales to the Members in accordance with this
Agreement, (3) discharge all liabilities to creditors in the order of priority
as provided by law, (4) discharge all liabilities of the Members (other than
liabilities to Members or for Capital Contributions to the extent unpaid in
breach of an obligation to do so), including all costs relating to the
dissolution, winding up and liquidation and distribution of assets, (5)
establish such reserves as the Managers may determine to be reasonably necessary
to provide for contingent liabilities of the Company, (6) discharge any
liabilities of the Company to the Members other than on account of their
interests in Company capital or profits and (7) distribute the remaining assets
and properties of the Company, tangible and intangible, to the Members, either
in cash or in kind, as determined by the Managers, PRO RATA according to the
relative number of Common Shares held by each. If any assets of the Company are
to be distributed in kind, the net fair market value of such assets as of the
date of dissolution shall be determined by independent appraisal or by agreement
of the Managers.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, upon a liquidation of the Company no Member shall have any obligation
to make any contribution to the capital of the Company other than any Capital
Contributions such Member agreed to make in accordance with this Agreement.
(d) Upon completion of the winding up, liquidation and
distribution of the assets, the Company shall be deemed terminated.
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(e) The Managers shall comply with any applicable
requirements of applicable law pertaining to the winding up of the affairs of
the Company and the final distribution of its assets.
11.4 CERTIFICATE OF CANCELLATION. When all debts, liabilities and
obligations have been paid and discharged or adequate provisions have been made
therefor and all of the remaining property and assets have been distributed to
the Members, a Certificate of Cancellation shall be executed in duplicate, and
verified by the person signing the Certificate of Cancellation and filed with
the Delaware Secretary of State, which Certificate shall set forth the
information required by the Delaware Act.
11.5 RETURN OF CONTRIBUTION NON-RECOURSE TO OTHER MEMBERS. Except
as provided by law, upon dissolution, each Member shall look solely to the
assets of the Company for the return of the Member's Capital Contribution. If
the Company property remaining after the payment or discharge of the debts and
liabilities of the Company is insufficient to return the cash or other property
contribution of one or more Members, such Member or Members shall have no
recourse against any other Member.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
12.1 AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may be amended, altered or
repealed by the majority vote of the Members at any annual or special meeting
and, except as may be otherwise required by law, the power to amend, alter or
repeal this Agreement by Supermajority Vote is also vested in the Managers.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, amendments or alterations to Sections 5.8, 6.1,
6.2, 6.9, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15 and 12.1 shall require the unanimous vote of the
Managers or the majority of the Members, as the case may be.
12.2 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Company shall keep books and records
of account and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Members, its
Managers and each committee of its Managers.
12.3 WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be
given to any Member, Manager or committee member under the provisions of the
Delaware Act or this Agreement, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person
or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated
therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice.
12.4 RESIGNATIONS. Any Manager or officer may resign at any time.
Such resignations shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time
specified therein, or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by
the President or the Secretary of the Company. The acceptance of a resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the
resignation.
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12.5 SEAL. The seal of the Company shall be in such form as
the Managers may adopt.
12.6 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Company shall end on the
31st day of December of each year or as otherwise provided by a resolution
adopted by the Managers.
12.7 APPLICATION OF DELAWARE LAW. This Agreement, and the
application of interpretation hereof, shall be governed exclusively by its terms
and by the laws of the State of Delaware, and specifically the Delaware Act.
12.8 WAIVER OF ACTION FOR PARTITION. Each Member irrevocably
waives, during the term of the Company, any right that such Member may have to
maintain any action for partition with respect to the property of the Company.
12.9 EXECUTION OF ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS. Each Member hereby
agrees to execute such other and further statements of interest and holdings,
designations, powers of attorney and other instruments necessary to comply with
any laws, rules or regulations.
12.10 HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define or
limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
12.11 WAIVERS. No waiver of any right under this Agreement shall
be effective unless evidenced in writing and executed by the Person entitled to
the benefits thereof. The failure of any party to seek redress for violation of
or to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant or condition of this
Agreement shall not prevent another act or omission, which would have originally
constituted a violation, from having the effect of an original violation.
12.12 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. The rights and remedies
provided by this Agreement are cumulative and the use of any one right or remedy
by any party shall not preclude or waive the right to use any or all other
rights or remedies. Said rights and remedies are given in addition to any other
rights the parties may have by law, statute, ordinance or otherwise.
12.13 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application
thereof shall not be affected and shall be enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
12.14 HEIRS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Each and all of the
covenants, terms, provisions and agreements herein contained shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and, to the extent permitted
by this Agreement, their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and
assigns.
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12.15 CREDITORS. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall
be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company.
12.16 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
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EXECUTED to be effective as of the 31st day of December, 1997.
MARKET HUB PARTNERS STORAGE, L.P.
By: MARKET HUB PARTNERS STORAGE,
L.L.C., as General Partner
By:_________________________________
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Vice President, Secretary and
Chief Financial Officer
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