UNDERTAKING AGREEMENT dated as of December 20, 2007 by LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY EQUISTAR CHEMICALS, LP HOUSTON REFINING LP
EXHIBIT
4.9
dated as
of
December
20, 2007
by
LYONDELL
CHEMICAL COMPANY
EQUISTAR
CHEMICALS, LP
HOUSTON
REFINING LP
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE
1
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DEFINITIONS
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||
Section
1.01.
|
Definitions
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2
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Section
1.02.
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Accounting
Terms
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16
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Section
1.03.
|
Terms
Generally
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16
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ARTICLE
2
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||
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
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||
Section
2.01.
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Environmental
and Safety Matters
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17
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Section
2.02.
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Ownership
of Properties
|
18
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Section
2.03.
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Subsidiaries
|
18
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Section
2.04.
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Insurance
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18
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Section
2.05.
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Labor
Matters
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18
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Section
2.06.
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Solvency
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19
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Section
2.07.
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Anti-Terrorism
Laws.
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19
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ARTICLE
3
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AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
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||
Section
3.01.
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Notices
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19
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Section
3.02.
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Payment
of Obligations
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19
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Section
3.03.
|
Preservation
of Existence, Etc
|
20
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Section
3.04.
|
Maintenance
of Properties
|
20
|
Section
3.05.
|
Maintenance
of Insurance
|
20
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Section
3.06.
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
20
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Section
3.07.
|
Compliance
with Environmental Laws; Environmental Reports
|
20
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Section
3.08.
|
Books
and Records.
|
21
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Section
3.09.
|
Inspection
Rights
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21
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Section
3.10.
|
ERISA.
|
21
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Section
3.11.
|
Know
Your Customer Requests
|
22
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ARTICLE
4
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NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
|
||
Section
4.01.
|
Liens
|
23
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Section
4.02.
|
Investments
|
27
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Section
4.03.
|
Indebtedness
|
30
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Section
4.04.
|
Fundamental
Changes
|
34
|
i
Section
4.05.
|
Dispositions
|
35
|
Section
4.06.
|
Restricted
Payments
|
36
|
Section
4.07.
|
Change
in Nature of Business
|
38
|
Section
4.08.
|
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
39
|
Section
4.09.
|
Burdensome
Agreements
|
40
|
Section
4.10.
|
Anti-Money
Laundering
|
42
|
Section
4.11.
|
Capital
Expenditures.
|
42
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Section
4.12.
|
Accounting
Changes
|
43
|
Section
4.13.
|
Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio
|
43
|
ARTICLE
5
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||
UNDERTAKING
AS TO SERVICER
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||
Section
5.01.
|
Unconditional
Undertaking
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43
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Section
5.02.
|
Obligations
Absolute
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44
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Section
5.03.
|
Waivers
and Acknowledgments
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46
|
Section
5.04.
|
Subrogation.
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46
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ARTICLE
6
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MISCELLANEOUS
|
||
Section
6.01.
|
Notices
|
47
|
Section
6.02.
|
No
Waivers
|
48
|
Section
6.03.
|
Amendments
and Waivers
|
48
|
Section
6.04.
|
Continuing
Agreement; Assignments under Receivables Purchase
Agreement
|
48
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Section
6.05.
|
Successors
|
48
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Section
6.06.
|
Governing
Law; Submission to Jurisdiction
|
49
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Section
6.07.
|
Counterparts;
Effectiveness
|
49
|
Section
6.08.
|
WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL
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49
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SCHEDULE 2.01 Environmental Matters | ||
SCHEDULE 2.03 -Subsidiaries | ||
SCHEDULE 2.04 Insurance | ||
SCHEDULE 4.01(b) Existing Liens | ||
SCHEDULE 4.02(e) Investments | ||
SCHEDULE 4.05(k) Permitted Dispositions | ||
SCHEDULE 4.08(c) Transactions With Affiliates | ||
SCHEDULE 4.09 Burdensome Agreements |
ii
UNDERTAKING
AGREEMENT dated as of December 20, 2007 by each of LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY
(Lyondell), as Servicer
and as Originator, EQUISTAR CHEMICALS, LP (Equistar), as Originator,
HOUSTON REFINING LP (HRLP), as Originator and any
additional Originator (Lyondell, Equistar, HRLP and any additional Originator,
collectively, the Originators) from time to time
party hereto, in favor of the Purchasers (as defined in the Receivables Purchase
Agreement referred to below) and Citibank, N.A. (Citibank), as administrative
agent and asset agent thereunder (the Agent).
RECITALS
LyondellBasell
Receivables I, LLC (the Seller), as buyer, and the
Originators, as sellers (and, in the case of Lyondell, as buyers servicer), have
entered into a Receivables Sale Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the Receivables Sale Agreement),
pursuant to which the Originators sell and transfer all Seller Receivables (as
defined in the Receivables Sale Agreement) originated by such Originator,
together with certain related assets (including collections), to the
Seller.
The
Seller and Lyondell, as initial Servicer, have entered into the Receivables
Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Seller, Lyondell as
Servicer, the Agent and the other banks and financial institutions party thereto
(the Receivables Purchase
Agreement). Pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Agreement,
the Seller may sell to one or more of the Purchasers, as the case may be,
undivided percentage ownership interests in Receivables and related assets that
were acquired by the Seller from the Originators.
The Agent
and the Purchasers have requested that the Servicer and each
Originator provide, and each such party is willing to provide,
certain additional assurances, as set forth herein, as to the ability of each
such party to perform its obligations, as Originator or as Servicer, as
applicable, under the Transaction Documents, and it is therefore a condition
precedent to the effectiveness of the Receivables Purchase Agreement that the
Servicer and each Originator shall have executed and delivered this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the substantial direct and
indirect benefits to each Restricted Party from the financing arrangements
contemplated by the Receivables Purchase Agreement and the Receivables Sale
Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, each Originator hereby agrees as
follows:
1
ARTICLE
1
Definitions
Section
1.01. Definitions. (a)
Terms defined in the Receivables Purchase Agreement and not otherwise defined in
Section 1.01(b), have, as used herein, the respective meanings provided for
therein.
(b) The following terms,
as used herein, have the following meanings:
ABF Loan Document shall mean a
Loan Document as defined in the ABF Agreement.
ABF Loan Party shall mean a
Loan Party as defined in the ABF Agreement.
ABF Restricted Party shall
mean a Restricted Party as defined in the ABF Agreement.
Acquisition means the merger
of BIL Acquisition Holdings Limited into Lyondell pursuant to the Acquisition
Agreement.
Acquisition Agreement means
that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 16, 2007, by and
among the Company, BIL Acquisition Holdings Limited and Lyondell.
Anti-Terrorism Laws
means:
(a)
the Executive Order No. 13224 of September 23, 2001 blocking Property and
Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support
Terrorism;
(b)
the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to
Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (commonly known
as the USA Patriot Act);
(c)
the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-570;
(d)
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq, and the
Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq, and any Executive Order or
regulation promulgated thereunder and administered by the Office of Foreign
Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury; and
(e)
any similar law enacted in the United States of America subsequent to the date
of this Agreement.
2
Anti-Terrorism Party
means any person listed:
(a)
in the Annex to Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective
September 2001;
(b)
on the "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons" list maintained by
the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the
Treasury;
(c)
in any successor list to either of the foregoing; or
(d)
any person or entity that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports
"terrorism" as defined in Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing,
effective September 2001.
Attributable Indebtedness
means, on any date, in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the
capitalized amount thereof of any liability that would be required to appear on
a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with
GAAP.
Capital Expenditures has the
meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Capitalized Leases means all
leases which, in accordance with GAAP, are recorded as capitalized leases; provided that for all
purposes hereunder the amount of principal obligations under any Capitalized
Lease shall be the Attributable Indebtedness related thereto.
Carry-Forward Amount has the
meaning specified in Section 4.11.
Cash Equivalents means any of
the following types of Investments, to the extent owned by any Restricted
Party:
(a) time deposits or demand
deposits in local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course
of business;
(b) an obligation, maturing within
two years after the date of its acquisition, issued or guaranteed by the United
States of America, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, Canada or any state which was
a member state of the European Union, on December 31, 2003 or an
instrumentality or agency thereof,
(c) a certificate of deposit or
bankers acceptance, maturing within one year after the date of its acquisition,
issued by any Lender, or a U.S. national or state bank or trust company or a
European, Canadian, Australian, Swiss or Japanese bank, in each case having
capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $100,000,000 and whose
long-term unsecured debt has a rating of A or better by S&P or A2 or better
by Moodys or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating
agency,
(d) commercial paper, maturing
within one year after the date of its acquisition, which has a rating of A1 or
better by S&P or P1 or better byMoodys,
or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating
agency,
3
(e) repurchase
agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with an outstanding term not in
excess of one year after the date of its acquisition with any financial
institution which has been elected as a primary government securities dealer by
the Federal Reserve Board or in respect of instruments set forth in clauses (c)
or (d) above of the credit quality set forth in such applicable
clause,
(f) Money
Market preferred stock maturing within six months after the date of its
acquisition or municipal bonds issued by a corporation organized under the laws
of any state of the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, Switzerland or any
state which was a member state of the European Union on December 31, 2003
or an instrumentality or agency thereof, which has a rating of A or better by
S&P or Moodys or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized
rating agency,
(g) tax
exempt floating rate option tender bonds backed by letters of credit issued by a
national or state bank whose long-term unsecured debt has a rating of AA or
better by S&P or Aa2 or better by Moodys or the equivalent rating by any
other nationally recognized rating agency, and
(h) shares
of any fund holding assets consisting (except for de minimis amounts) of the
type specified in clauses (b) through (g) above.
CERCLA means the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as subsequently
amended.
Change in Law means, the
introduction of, or any change in or in the interpretation of, any law, treaty
or governmental rule, regulation or order or the compliance with any guideline,
request or directive from any Governmental Authority (whether or not having the
force of law).
Consolidated EBITDA means, with respect to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, for any Test Period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) Consolidated
Net Income, and
(2) to
the extent such Consolidated Net Income has been reduced thereby,
(a)
all income taxes paid or accrued (other than income taxes
attributable to extraordinary gains or losses),
(b)
Consolidated Interest Expense,
(c)
Consolidated Non-cash Charges,
(d)
the amount of net loss resulting from the payment of any premiums, fees or
similar amounts that are required to bepaid
under the terms of the instrument(s) governing any Indebtedness upon the
repayment or other extinguishment of such Indebtedness in accordance with the
terms of such Indebtedness,
4
(e)
nonrecurring costs and expenses paid that are related to any expense or cost
reductions that have occurred or are associated with the good faith projected
cost savings described in clause (3) below;
(f)
management fees and merger and acquisition advisory fees paid to the
Sponsor,
(g)
any inventory write-up in connection with purchase accounting in respect of
acquisitions (including the Acquisition); and
(3) the
amount of net cost savings projected by the Company in good faith to be realized
by specified actions taken prior to or during such period; provided that (x) such cost
savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (y) such actions
have been taken or are to be taken within twelve months of the date or
determination to take such action and the benefit is expected to be realized
within twelve months of taking such action, and (z) the aggregate amount of such
cost savings added pursuant to this clause (3) shall not exceed $150,000,000
during such Test Period.
Consolidated Interest Expense
means, with respect to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and for any
period, the sum of, without duplication:
(1)
the interest expense (including yield expense in the case of any Securitization
Transaction) in respect of Financial Indebtedness, including:
(a) any
amortization of debt discount,
(b) all
capitalized interest, and
(c) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation,
but
excluding, in each case, any amortization or write-off of deferred financing
costs and fees incurred in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness or
Securitization Transactions; plus
(2)
the net amount paid (or deducting the net amount received) by the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect he relevant period under any Obligations
in respect to Swap Contracts consisting of interest rate hedging arrangements or
the interest rate component of currency hedging arrangements, plus
5
(3)
the interest component of Capitalized Leases paid, accrued and/or scheduled to
be paid or accrued during such period,
lessinterest income.
Consolidated Net Income shall
have the meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets means, as of any date, the total amount of assets (less applicable
reserves and other properly deductible items) of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, as of the last day of the then most recently ended fiscal year for
which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.5 of the
Receivables Purchase Agreement, after deducting therefrom (1) all current
liabilities (excluding any thereof which are by their terms extendible or
renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more than 12 months
after the time as of which the amount thereof is being computed and excluding
current maturities of long term debt), and (2) all goodwill, IP Rights,
unamortized debt discount and other like intangible assets.
Consolidated Non-cash Charges
shall have the meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement.
Contractual Obligation has the
meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Disposition or Dispose means the sale,
transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback
transaction and any sale or issuance of Equity Interests) of any property by any
Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or
without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims
associated therewith.
Disqualified Equity Interests
means that portion of any Equity Interest which, 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 or is mandatorily redeemable (other
than redeemable only for Equity Interests of such Person that is not itself a
Disqualified Equity Interest), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or
otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, on or prior to
the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Commitment Termination Date,
provided, however, that any Equity
Interest that would not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest but for
provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to
purchase or redeem such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of a change of
control occurring prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the
Commitment Termination Date shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity
Interest.
Notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, only the portion of such Equity Interest which so
matures or is mandatorily redeemable or is so convertible orexchangeable
prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Commitment Termination
Date shall be so deemed a Disqualified Equity Interest. The amount of
any Disqualified Equity Interest that does not have a fixed redemption,
repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of
such Disqualified Equity Interest as if such Disqualified Equity Interest were
redeemed, repaid, converted or repurchased on any date on which the amount of
such Disqualified Equity Interest is to be determined pursuant hereto; provided, however, that if such
Disqualified Equity Interest could not be required to be redeemed, repaid,
converted or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption,
repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Equity
Interest as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such
Person.
6
Environmental Laws means the
common law and any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, Laws,
regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, licenses,
agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution, the protection of
the environment, the generation, treatment, storage, transport, distribution,
handling or recycling of Hazardous Materials or the presence, Release or threat
of Release of Hazardous Materials and, to the extent relating to exposure to
Hazardous Materials, human health and to workplace health and
safety.
Environmental Permits means
any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization
required under any Environmental Law.
Excluded Capital Expenditures
has the meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Existing Notes means,
collectively, the $615,000,000 8⅜% Senior Notes due 2015 of the Company, the
500,000,000 8⅜% Senior Notes due 2015 of the Company and the $300,000,000 8.10%
Guaranteed Notes due 2027 of Basell Finance, the 10% Senior Secured Notes due
2013 of Lyondell, the 8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2014 of Lyondell, the 8%
Senior Unsecured Notes due 2016 of Lyondell, the 6.875% Senior Unsecured Notes
due 2017 of Lyondell, the 10% Debentures due 2010 of Lyondell, the 9.8%
Debentures due 2020 of Lyondell, the 10⅝% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2008 of
Equistar, the 101/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due
2011 of Equistar, the 7.55% Debentures due 2026 of Equistar, the 7⅝% Senior
Notes due 2026 of Millennium America Inc. and the 8% Unsecured Notes due 2009 of
Equistar, in each case to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date and the 4%
Convertible Debentures due 2023 of Millennium Chemicals Inc. (to the extent not
converted on the Closing Date).
FCC Period shall have the
meaning specified in Section 4.13..
Financial Indebtedness shall
have the meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement.
7
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
means, with respect to any FCC Period, the ratio of (A) Consolidated EBITDA for
such FCC Period minus Capital
Expenditures made during such FCC Period to (B):
(x) Consolidated
Interest Expense; plus
(y) the
sum of
(a) the amount of
all dividend payments on any series of preferred stock (other than dividends
paid in Qualified Equity Interests and other than dividends paid to the Company
or to a Restricted Subsidiary) paid or accrued, plus
(b) tax actually
paid in cash by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and attributable to the
items referred to in paragraph (a) of this clause (y), plus
(z)
the principal amount of all scheduled amortization payments on all Financial
Indebtedness (including the principal component of all Capitalized
Leases);
provided that the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated for the FCC Period ending (i) March
31, 2008 based on the Consolidated Interest Expense and amortization payments
referred to in clauses (x) and (z) above for each full fiscal quarter ending
after the Closing Date multiplied by four, (ii) June 30, 2008 based on the sum
of the Consolidated Interest Expense and amortization payments referred to in
clauses (x) and (z) above for each full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing
Date multiplied by two and (iii) September 30, 2008 based on the sum of the
Consolidated Interest Expense and amortization payments referred to in the
clauses (x) and (z) above for each full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing
Date multiplied by 4/3.
Guarantee means, as to any
Person, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any
Indebtedness or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another
Person (the primary
obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any
obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or
other monetary obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or
services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness
or other monetary obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness
or other monetary obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital
or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or
cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such
Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose
of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or
other monetary obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect
such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any
Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other monetary
obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or monetary
other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or
otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain such Lien); provided that the term
Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, in either
case in the ordinary course of business, or customary and reasonable indemnity
obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any
acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than
such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any
Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable
amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of
which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum
reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the
guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term Guarantee as a verb has a
corresponding meaning.
8
Hazardous Materials means all
materials, chemicals, substances, wastes, pollutants, contaminants, constituents
and compounds of any nature or in any form, including petroleum or petroleum
distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated
biphenyls, radon gas or mold that are regulated pursuant to, or can give rise to
liability under, any applicable Environmental Law.
Holding Company means, in
relation to a company, corporation or other legal entity, any other company,
corporation or other legal entity in respect of which the former company,
corporation or other legal entity is a Subsidiary.
Indebtedness means, as to any
Person at any time, without duplication, all of the following:
(a)
all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar
instruments;
(b) the maximum amount (after giving effect to any prior drawings or
reductions which may have been reimbursed) of all outstanding letters of credit
(including standby and commercial), bankers acceptances, bank guaranties, surety
bonds, performance bonds and similar instruments issued or created by or for the
account of such Person;
(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(d)
all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price
of property that is due more than six months after taking delivery of such
property, all conditional sale obligations and all obligations under any title
retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable and other accrued
liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue by
90 days or more or are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted);
9
(e) all obligations of any third party of the type referred to in clauses
(a), (b), (c), (d), (f) and (h) of this definition which are secured by any
lien on any property or asset of such Person, the amount of such obligation
being deemed to be the lesser of the fair market value of such property or asset
or the amount of the obligation so secured;
(f)
all Receivables Financings, Securitization Transactions and obligations under
Asset Backed Credit Facilities (each as defined under the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement);
(g) all Disqualified Equity Interests issued by such Person or preferred
stock issued by a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person with the amount of
Indebtedness represented by such Disqualified Equity Interests or preferred
stock being equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation
preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price, but excluding accrued
dividends, if any. For purposes hereof, the maximum fixed repurchase price of
any Disqualified Equity Interests or preferred stock which do not have a fixed
repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such
Disqualified Equity Interests or preferred stock as if such Disqualified Equity
Interests or preferred stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness
shall be required to be determined pursuant to the this Agreement, and if such
price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified
Equity Interests or preferred stock, such fair market value shall be determined
reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer of such
Disqualified Equity Interests or preferred stock; and
(h) all Capitalized Leases of such Person;
if and to
the extent that the foregoing would constitute indebtedness or a liability in
accordance with GAAP; and
(i) to the extent not otherwise included above, all Guarantees of any
third partys Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing
clauses.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not include:
(1) advances paid by customers in the ordinary course of business for
services or products to be provided or delivered in the future,
(2) deferred taxes,
(3)
unsecured indebtedness of such Person incurred to finance insurance premiums in
a principal amount not in excess of the insurance premiums to be paid by such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for a three-year period beginning on the
date of any incurrence of such indebtedness,
(4) Indebtedness
owed or incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary whose activities are limited to
holding shares in Joint Venture(s) (but only to the extent that (a) the
creditors under the relevant agreement have no recourse tothe
Company other than such Restricted Subsidiary; and (b) the recourse those
creditors have to such Restricted Subsidiary is limited to the proceeds (if any)
of dividends received by such Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such
Restricted Subsidiarys investment in such Joint Venture),
10
(5) non-recourse Indebtedness permitted by Section
4.03(s) collateralized by any Limited Recourse Stock Pledge or any
non-recourse guarantee given solely to support such pledge,
(6) any Indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or
defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or government obligations (in an amount
sufficient to satisfy all such Indebtedness at the stated maturity thereof or
redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in
a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of
such Indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, and other applicable terms of
the instrument governing such Indebtedness or
(7)
Indebtedness for which irrevocable notice of redemption has been duly given and
for which redemption money in the necessary amount has been irrevocably
deposited with the applicable trustee or paying agent in trust for the holders
of such Indebtedness.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of
value, the obligation to pay commitment fees and the payment of interest in the
form of Indebtedness shall not be Indebtedness for the purposes of Section 4.03
only.
Indemnified Parties has the
meaning specified in Section 5.01.
Investment means, with respect
to any Person, any direct or indirect loan or other extension of credit
(including a guarantee) or capital contribution (with respect to such loan,
extension of credit or capital contribution, by means of any transfer of cash or
other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account
or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition by such Person of
any Equity Interest, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or other
Indebtedness issued by, any other Person. Investment excludes (i)
extensions of trade credit, (ii) commissions, loans, advances, fees and
compensation paid in the ordinary course of business to officers, directors and
employees, and (iii) reimbursement or payment obligations in respect of letters
of credit and tender, bid, performance, government contract, surety and appeal
bonds, in each case solely with respect to obligations of any Restricted Party
or any ABF Restricted Party in accordance with the normal trade practices of
such Restricted Party or ABF Restricted Party. For the purposes of
Section 4.06,
(1) Investment shall include and be valued at the fair market value of the
net assets of any Restricted Subsidiary of a Transaction Party or ABF Loan Party
at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted
Subsidiary and shall exclude the fair market value of the net assets of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such UnrestrictedSubsidiary
is designated a Restricted Subsidiary of a Transaction Party or ABF Loan Party;
and
11
(2) the amount of any Investment in any Person is the original cost
of such Investment plus the cost of all additional Investments therein by the
Restricted Parties, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value,
or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment, reduced
by the payment of dividends or distributions in connection with such Investment
or any other amounts received in respect of such Investment;
provided that no such payment of dividends or distributions or receipt of
any such other amounts shall reduce the amount of any Investment if such payment
of dividends or distributions or receipt of any such amounts would be included
in Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement).
If any Restricted Party sells or otherwise disposes of any voting Equity
Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of an Originator such
that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, the Originators do
not own, directly or indirectly, greater than 50% of the outstanding common
Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary, such Restricted Party will be
deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition
equal to the fair market value of the voting Equity Interests of such Restricted
Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.
IP Rights has
the meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Joint Venture means any
joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, association,
partnership or any other entity which, in each case, is not a Subsidiary of a
Restricted Party or an ABF Restricted Party but in which a Restricted Party or
an ABF Restricted Party has a direct or indirect equity or similar
interest.
Junior Financing has the
meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
JV Investor has the
meaning specified in Section 4.03.
Laws means, as to any
Person, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local
statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and
administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all
applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority,
in each case binding on such Person or to which such Person or any of its
property or assets is subject.
12
Limited Recourse Stock
Pledge means the pledge of the Equity Interests in any joint venture or
any Subsidiary (the Pledged
Subsidiary) to secure non-recourse debt of such joint venture or such
Pledged Subsidiary, the activities of which are solely limited to making and
managing Investments, and owning Equity Interests, in such joint venture or
Pledged Subsidiary, but only for so long as its activities are so
limited.
Management Agreement
means the Management Agreement dated as of December 11, 2007 between, among
others, the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries and Xxxx Limited, as in
effect on the Closing Date.
Material Adverse Effect
means (a) a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets,
liabilities (actual or contingent) or financial condition of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), (b) a material adverse effect on the
ability of the Transaction Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their
respective payment obligations under any Transaction Document to which any
Transaction Party is a party or (c) a deficiency in the rights and remedies of
the Purchasers under the Transaction Documents (taken as a whole) which is
materially adverse to the Purchasers.
Moodys means Moodys
Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Obligations has the
meaning set forth in Section 5.01 hereof.
Parent means BI S..x.x.,
a Socit responsabilit limite incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg.
PBGC Settlement means
the settlement agreement between Lyondell and the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (or any successor entity) as amended, modified, restated or replaced
from time to time.
Permitted Acquisition
has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(g) hereof.
Permitted Business means
any business which is the same, similar, related or complementary to the
businesses in which the Restricted Parties or ABF Restricted Parties were
engaged on the Closing Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, following
consummation of the Acquisition), except to the extent that after engaging in
any new business, the Restricted Parties and the ABF Restricted Parties, taken
as a whole, remain substantially engaged in similar or related lines of business
as were conducted by them on the Closing Date.
Permitted Joint Venture
means (1) any person that is not a Subsidiary of an Originator or an ABF
Loan Party that such Originator or an ABF Loan Party has a direct or indirect
ownership interest in that is engaged in a Permitted Business or (2) any
entity through which an Originator or an ABF Loan Party has an ownership
interest as described in clause (1), in the case of (1) and (2), for which the
Sponsor (as defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) does
nothold an
ownership interest (other than through its ownership interest in the Originator
or an ABF Loan Party).
13
Qualified Equity
Interests means any Equity Interest that is not a Disqualified Equity
Interest.
Real Property means,
collectively, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold, easement,
mineral or other estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real
property owned, leased or operated by any Person, whether by lease, license or
other means, together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and
appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and
equipment, all general intangibles and contract rights and other property and
rights incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.
Release means any
spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging,
injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing or
migrating in, into, onto or through the Environment.
Restricted Party means
each Originator and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Restricted Payment
means
(1)
a declaration or payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution,
other than dividends or distributions payable in Qualified Equity Interests of
the Company and dividends or distributions payable solely to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary, and other than pro rata dividends or other distributions
made by a Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary to minority
shareholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary
that is an entity other than a corporation), on or in respect of shares of a
Persons Equity Interests to holders of such Equity Interests,
(2)
the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any
Equity Interests of any Person or any warrants, rights or options to purchase or
acquire shares of any class of such Equity Interests, or
(3)
any Investment other than an Investment permitted by Section 4.02.
S&P means Standard &
Poors Ratings Services, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc., and any
successor thereto.
Securitization Transaction
shall mean any financing transaction in which any Transaction Party sells or
otherwise transfers accounts receivable (a) to one or more third party
purchasers or (b) to a special purpose entity that borrowsagainst
such accounts receivable or sells such accounts receivable to one or more third
party purchasers.
14
Solvent and Solvency mean, with respect to
any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of
the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities,
including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable
value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they
become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not
believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Persons ability to
pay such debts and liabilities as they mature and (d) such Person is not engaged
in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a
transaction, for which such Persons property would constitute an unreasonably
small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall
be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances
existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to
become an actual or matured liability.
Specified Joint Venture means
Al-Waha Petrochemical Company and Saudi Ethylene and Polyethylene
Company.
Sponsorshall have the meaning specified in the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Successor Originator has the
meaning specified in Section 4.04(d).
Swap Contract means (a) any
and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions,
forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity
contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond
index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond
index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange
transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions,
currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency
options, emission rights, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or
any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any
of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject
to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the
related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or
governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps
and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master
Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together
with any related schedules, a Master Agreement), including
any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
15
Taxes means all present or
future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, withholdings, assessments,
fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any
interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto, whether disputed or
not.
Test Period shall have the
meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Total Collateral
Availabilityshall mean, at
any time, the sum of (i)
Collateral Availability plus(ii) SF Asset Availability, in each case
at such time.
Transaction has the meaning
specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Treasury Services Agreement
has the meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Unrestricted Subsidiary has
the meaning specified in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement.
Wholly Owned means, with
respect to a Subsidiary of a Person, a Subsidiary of such Person all of the
outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than (x) directors qualifying
shares and (y) shares issued to third parties, in each case in a de minimis amount and to the
extent required by applicable Law) are owned by such Person and/or by one or
more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section
1.02. Accounting
Terms. All accounting
terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in
conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other
financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement
shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, except as otherwise specifically
prescribed herein.
Section
1.03. Terms
Generally. Except where the
context requires otherwise, the definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally
to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the
context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine,
feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to
be followed by the phrase without
limitation. Unless otherwise stated, references to Sections,
Articles and Schedules made herein are to Sections, Articles or Schedules, as
the case may be, of this Agreement. Writing, written and comparable terms
refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words in a visible
form. References to any agreement or contract are to such agreement
or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof and thereof. References to any Person
includethe
successors and permitted assigns of such Person. References from or through any date mean, unless
otherwise specified, from and
including or through and
including, respectively.
16
ARTICLE
2
Representations
and Warranties
Each
Originator represents and warrants that:
Section
2.01. Environmental and Safety
Matters. In each
case, except as set forth on Schedule 2.01:
(a)
There are no claims, actions, suits, proceedings, demands, notices or, to the
knowledge of any Originator and each of its Subsidiaries, investigations
alleging actual or potential liability of any Originator or its Subsidiaries
under or for violation of, or otherwise relating to, any Environmental Law that
could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(b)
Except for items that could not reasonably be expected to have , individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Originator and each of
their respective Subsidiaries and each of their Real Property, other assets and
operations are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including
all Environmental Permits; (ii) none of the properties currently or, to the
knowledge of any Originator or any of its Subsidiaries, formerly, owned, leased
or operated by any Originator or any of its Subsidiaries is listed or formally
proposed for listing on the National Priority List under CERCLA, or any
analogous list maintained pursuant to any Environmental Law; (iii) all asbestos
or asbestos-containing material on, at or in any property or facility currently
owned, leased or operated by any Originator or any of its Subsidiaries is in
compliance with Environmental Laws; and (iv) there has been no Release of
Hazardous Materials by any Person on, at, under or from any property or facility
currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by any Originator or any of its
Subsidiaries and there has been no Release of Hazardous Materials by any
Originator or any of its Subsidiaries at any other location.
(c) The properties and
facilities owned, leased or operated by such Originator and its Subsidiaries do
not contain any Hazardous Materials in amounts or concentrations which (i)
constitute a violation of, (ii) require investigation or other response or
corrective action under, or (iii) could reasonably be expected to give rise to
liability under, Environmental Laws, which violations, actions and/or
liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could, reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
17
(d) None of such
Originator, or any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking or financing, in whole or
in part, either individually or together with other potentially responsible
parties, any investigation, response or other corrective action relating to any
actual or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at any property, facility or
location pursuant to any Environmental Law except for such investigation,
response or other corrective action that, individually or in the aggregate,
could not, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(e) All Hazardous
Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored by such Originator or any
of its Subsidiaries at, or transported by or on behalf of such Originator or any
of its Subsidiaries to or from, any property or facility currently or formerly
owned, leased or operated by such Originator or any of its Subsidiaries have
been disposed of in a manner which could not reasonably be expected to result,
individually or in the aggregate in a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Except as could not
reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a
Material Adverse Effect, none of such Originator or any of its Subsidiaries has
contractually assumed, and is not subject or a party to any judgment, order,
decree or agreement which imposes, any liability or obligation under or relating
to any Environmental Law.
Section
2.02. Ownership of
Properties. Such Originator
and each of its Subsidiaries has good record fee simple title (or otherwise
holds full legal (and, if applicable, beneficial) ownership under applicable
Law) to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property
interests in, all Real Property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its
business, free and clear of all Liens except for minor defects in title that do
not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business or to utilize
such assets for their intended purposes and Liens permitted under Section 4.01
(other than Section 4.01(z)) and except where the failure to have such title
could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section
2.03. Subsidiaries. Schedule 2.03
sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of each Originator and each
Wholly-owned Subsidiary of such Originator as of the Closing Date (other than
dormant or inactive Subsidiaries).
Section
2.04. Insurance. Schedule 2.04
sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of such
Originator as of the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, all
premiums in respect of such insurance currently due have been paid.
Section
2.05. Labor
Matters. As of the
Closing Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against such
Originator and its Subsidiaries pending or, to the knowledge of such Originator,
threatened.
18
Section
2.06. Solvency. As of the
Closing Date, the Originators and their Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, are Solvent.
Section
2.07. Anti-Terrorism
Laws.
(a)
To the best knowledge of the Originators organized in the United States, no such
Restricted Party nor any subsidiary thereof: (i) is, or is controlled by or is
acting on behalf of, an Anti-Terrorism Party; (ii) has received funds or other
property from an Anti-Terrorism Party; or (iii) is in breach of or is the
subject of any action or investigation under any Anti-Terrorism
Law.
(b)
To the best of such Originators knowledge, each of the Restricted Parties
organized in the United States and each subsidiary thereof has taken reasonable
measures to ensure compliance
19
ARTICLE
3
Until the
later of (i) the Termination Date and (ii) the date upon which no Capital shall
be outstanding and no Yield or other Obligations (other than contingent
indemnification obligations) remain unpaid, each Originator shall, and shall
cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:
Section
3.01. Notices
.
(a)
Promptly after a Responsible Officer of an Originator has obtained knowledge
thereof, notify the Agent:
(i) of the
occurrence of any Event of Termination or Potential Event of Termination;
and
(ii) of any matter
that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
(b)
Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement
of a Responsible Officer of such Originator (x) that such notice is being
delivered pursuant to Section 3.01 (a)(i) or (a)(ii) (as applicable) and (y) setting forth details of
the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action such party has taken
and proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section
3.02. Payment of Obligations.Timely
pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy as the same shall become due and payable in
the normal conduct of its business, all its obligations and liabilities in
respect of the Taxes imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect
of its property, except, in each case, to the extent the failure to pay or
discharge the same could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
20
Section
3.03. Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a)
Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence under
the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except (x) in a transaction
permitted by Section 4.04 or Section 4.05 and (y) any Restricted Party may
merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Restricted Party (provided that
if either such Restricted Party was an Originator immediately prior to such
transaction, the surviving or resulting entity from such transaction shall be an
Originator) and (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights,
privileges (including its good standing, where such concept exists), permits,
licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its
business, except (i) to the extent that failure to do so could not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or
(ii) pursuant to a transaction permitted Section 4.04 or Section 4.05
or by clause (a)(y) of this Section.
Section
3.04. Maintenance of
Properties. Except if the failure to do so could not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties
and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order,
repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty or
condemnation excepted.
Section
3.05. Maintenance of
Insurance. Maintain with reputable insurance companies,
insurance with respect to its assets, properties and business against loss or
damage to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms of the kinds
customarily insured against by Persons of similar size engaged in the same or
similar industry, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any
self-insurance (including captive industry insurance) reasonable and customary
for similarly situated Persons of similar size engaged in the same or similar
businesses as such Restricted Party) as are customarily carried under similar
circumstances by such other Persons.
Section
3.06. Compliance with
Laws. Comply in all material respects with the requirements of
all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to
its business or property, except to the extent the failure to comply therewith
could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.07. Compliance with Environmental Laws;
Environmental Reports. Comply, and cause all
lessees and other Persons occupying its Real Property to comply, with all
Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits applicable to its operations,
facilities and Real Property, except where failure to do so could not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; obtain and renew all material Environmental Permits applicable
to its operations, facilities and Real Property; and conduct all responses
required by, and in accordance with, Environmental Laws; provided that neither
such Restricted Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to
undertakeany
response to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good
faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained
with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.
21
Section
3.08. Books
and Records. Maintain proper books of record and account, in which
entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects and which
reflect all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and
business of the Restricted Parties.
Section
3.09. Inspection
Rights. Permit representatives and independent contractors of
the Agent or, as provided in the second proviso below, any Purchaser to visit
and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and
operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to
discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and
independent public accountants, all at the reasonable expense of the Originators
and at such reasonable times during normal business hours, upon reasonable
advance notice to Lyondell; provided that,
excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of
Termination, only the Agent on behalf of the Purchasers may exercise rights of
the Agent and the Purchasers under this Section and the Agent shall not exercise
such rights more often than two (2) times during any calendar year at the
expense of the Originators; provided further that
when an Event of Termination exists, the Agent or any Purchaser (or any of their
respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the
foregoing at the expense of the Originators at any time during normal business
hours and upon reasonable advance notice. The Agent and the
Purchasers shall give such Restricted Party the opportunity to participate in
any discussions with such Restricted Partys independent public
accountants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Section, at all times during such visits and inspections the Agent or any
Purchaser (or their respective representatives or contractors) must comply with
all applicable site regulations as the Restricted Party or any of their
respective officers or employees may require by reasonable notice of the
same.
Section
3.10. ERISA. Promptly after any
Originator or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know of the occurrence
of any of the following events that, individually or in the aggregate (including
in the aggregate such events previously disclosed or exempt from disclosure
hereunder, to the extent the liability therefor remains outstanding), would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, deliver to the Agent
and each of the Purchasers a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth
details as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that such Originator or
such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any notices
(required, proposed or otherwise) given to or filed with or by the Originator,
such ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC, a Plan participant (other than notices relating
to any individual participants benefits) or the Plan administrator with respect
thereto: (A) that a Reportable Event has occurred; (B) that an accumulated
funding deficiency has been incurredor an
application is to be made to the Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or
modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment
payments) or an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the
Code (or Section 430 of the Code as amended by the Pension Protection Act of
2006) with respect to a Plan; (C) that a Plan having an Unfunded Current
Liability has been or is to be terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared
insolvent under Title IV of ERISA (including the giving of written notice
thereof); (D) that proceedings will be or have been instituted to terminate a
Plan having an Unfunded Current Liability (including the giving of written
notice thereof); (E) that a proceeding has been instituted against such
Originator or an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 515 of ERISA to collect a
delinquent contribution to a Plan; (F) that the PBGC has notified such
Originator or any ERISA Affiliate of its intention to appoint a trustee to
administer any Plan; that such Originator or any ERISA Affiliate has failed to
make a required installment or other payment pursuant to Section 412 of the Code
with respect to a Plan; or (G) that such Originator or any ERISA Affiliate has
incurred or will incur (or has been notified in writing that it will incur) any
liability (including any contingent or secondary liability) to or on account of
a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069,
4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code.
22
Section
3.11. Know
Your Customer Requests. If:
(1) a
Change in Law after the Closing Date;
(2)
any change in the status of a Transaction Party or the composition of the
shareholders or interest holders of a Transaction Party after the Closing Date;
or
(3)
a proposed assignment or transfer by a Purchaser of any of its rights and
obligations under the Receivables Purchase Agreement to a party that is not a
Purchaser prior to such assignment or transfer,obliges
the Agent or any Purchaser (or, in the case of paragraph (3) above, any
prospective new Purchaser) to comply with know your customer or similar
identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is
not already available to it, each Originator shall promptly upon the request of
the Agent, in its capacity as a Purchaser or on behalf of any Purchaser, supply,
or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably
requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Purchaser, or, in the
case of the event described in paragraph (3) above, on behalf of any prospective
new Purchaser) in order for the Agent, such Purchaser or, in the case of the
event described in paragraph (3) above, such prospective new Purchaser to carry
out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary know your customer or
other similar checks
under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions
contemplated in the Transaction Documents.
23
ARTICLE
4
Negative
Covenants
Until the
later of (i) the Termination Date and (ii) the date upon which no Capital shall
be outstanding and no Yield or other Obligations (other than contingent
indemnification obligations) remain unpaid, each Originator shall not, nor shall
it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly:
Section
4.01. Liens. Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind upon
any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, other than the following:
(a) Liens created
pursuant to any Transaction Document, Securitization Transaction (as defined in
the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) or any ABF Loan Document;
(b)
Liens existing on the Closing Date or which are required to come into effect as
a result of existing contractual provisions (in each case, to the extent in
respect of underlying obligations exceeding $1,000,000 individually listed on
Schedule 4.01(b) and any reissuance, renewals or extensions
thereof);
(c) Liens for taxes,
assessments or governmental charges or claims that are extinguished within 60
days of notice of their existence, are not yet due and payable or that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(d) Liens of landlords,
carriers, vendor, pipeline, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen,
repairmen, employees, pension plan administrators or other like Liens arising by
operation of law in the ordinary course of business of such Restricted Party
which secure amounts which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or
not yet subject to penalties for nonpayment or that are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings;
(e) Liens (i) arising out
of pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection
with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social
security or other insurance (including unemployment insurance) and (ii) arising
out of pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing
liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations with respect to
premiums and exit fees of (including to support obligations in respect of
letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers
providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
24
(f) Liens arising out of
pledges or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids or trade or
government contracts, or to secure leases, statutory or regulatory, insurance
obligations, surety, judgment or appeal bonds, completion guarantee, surety,
letters of credit, performance bonds, guarantees or other obligations of a like
nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations)
incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than obligations for the
payment of borrowed money);
(g)
zoning restrictions of governmental authorities, easements, licenses,
reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses reservations, title defects,
rights of others for rights-of-way, utilities, sewers, electrical lines,
telephone lines, telegraph wires, restrictions, encroachments and other similar
charges, encumbrances or title defects of zoning, survey exceptions,
encumbrances, or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens
incurred in the ordinary course of business that do not in the aggregate
materially interfere with in any material respect the ordinary conduct of the
business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole;
(h) Liens arising by
reason of any judgment, decree or order of any court so long as such Lien is
adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly
initiated for the review of such judgment, decree or order shall not have been
finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated
shall not have expired;
(i) (x) leases or
subleases or licenses or sublicenses of Real Property or IP Rights granted in
the ordinary course of business to others that do not individually or in the
aggregate interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the
business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and
(y) any interest or title of a lessor in property subject to a lease other than
a capitalized lease;
(j) Liens in favor of
customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of Law to secure payment of
customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(k) Liens (i) of a
collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on
items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts
or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of
business, and (iii) in favor of banking or other financial institutions arising
as a matter of Law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and
which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or
arising pursuant to such banking institutions general terms and
conditions;
(l) Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in or monies placed in escrow pursuant to an Investment permittedpursuant to Section 4.02 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment, (ii) over assets being acquired pursuant to Investments permitted by Section 4.02 pending payment in full of the purchase price (iii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 4.05 and (iv) consisting of intellectual property licenses permitted by Section 4.02(o);
25
(m) Liens in favor of any
Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.03 (other
than Indebtedness owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Transaction
Party or ABF Loan Party);
(n) Liens arising out of
conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale
of goods entered into by any Restricted Party in the ordinary course of
business;
(o) Liens upon specific
items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such
Persons obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit. Liens on
documents of title in respect of documenting letters of credit or bankers
acceptances issues or credit for the account of such Person to facilitate the
purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(p) Liens securing
Indebtedness and other obligations under Asset Backed Credit Facilities,
Securitization Transactions and Receivables Financings; provided that any
Liens in respect of Receivables Financings which are recourse to the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Securitization Entity) shall be
limited to accounts receivable, inventory, the Equity Interests in, and
intercompany Indebtedness owed by, any Securitization Entity, related books and
records and the accounts and proceeds thereof together with any returned goods
therefrom;
(q) Liens securing
Indebtedness and other Obligations (in each case, as defined in the Senior
Facility Credit Agreement);
(r) Liens arising by
reason of deposits necessary to qualify such Restricted Party to conduct
business, maintain self insurance or comply with any law and Liens securing the
PBGC Settlement;
(s)
Liens securing any Capitalized Lease and Liens to secure Indebtedness (including
Capitalized Leases) permitted by clause (e) of Section 4.03 covering only the
property or assets acquired with such Indebtedness;
(t) Liens securing
obligations under Swap Contracts of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries permitted under the Senior Facility Credit Agreement or any
collateral for the obligations under such Swap Contracts;
26
(u) Liens on property of,
or on Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, any Person or attaching to any assets
existing at the time such property or Person is acquired by, merged with or into
or consolidated with, or assets are acquired by such Restricted Party; provided
that such Liens (a) do not extend to or cover any property or assets of such
Restricted Party other than the property or assets acquired (other than assets
and property affixed or appurtenant thereto) or the property and assets of the
Person merged into or consolidated with such Restricted Party and (b) were
created prior to, and not in connection with or in contemplation of, such
acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(v)
Liens granted by Restricted Parties (other than Transaction Parties or ABF Loan
Parties) in support of Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries (other than
Transaction Parties or ABF Loan Parties); provided that the aggregate amount
secured by such Liens does not exceed $500,000,000 at any one time
outstanding;
(w) Liens
in respect of the Senior Second Lien Debt (as defined in the Senior Facility
Credit Agreement), any Permitted Financing or any Permitted Refinancing (as
defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement), and Liens of the Restricted
Parties with respect to obligations that do not exceed, in the aggregate, the
greater of (i) $250,000,000 and (ii) 1% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as
defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) at any one time
outstanding;
(x) Liens over shares in
joint ventures or over dividends in respect thereof in any Restricted Subsidiary
acting as a special purpose vehicle with the sole purpose to hold shares in a
joint venture to secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such joint venture
or Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.03(t) of the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement;
(y) Liens resulting
from any Limited Recourse Stock Pledge;
(z) Liens
granted in favor of Restricted Parties and ABF Loan Parties and Liens on any
property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted in favor of an Originator,
or any wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary;
(aa) Liens securing Indebtedness
incurred to modify, refinance, defease, refund, extend, renew or replace
Indebtedness that has been secured by a Lien permitted by this Agreement;
provided that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same
property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to
which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien plus improvements
and accessions to, such property (or proceeds or distributions thereof); and (b)
the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any
amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if
greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness at the time the original Lien
became a Lien permitted under this Section and (ii) an amount necessary to pay
any fees and expenses, including prepayment premiums,associated
hedging break costs and premiums or replacement xxxxxx, related to such
refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
27
(bb) any extension, amendment, renewal or replacement, in whole or in part, of any Lien described in Sections 4.01 (b), (s), (u), (v) and (w); provided that any such extension, renewal or replacement shall be no more restrictive in any material respect than the Lien so extended, amended, renewed or replaced and shall not extend to any additional property or assets;
(cc) Liens arising from
precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings;
(dd) any
netting or set-off arrangements entered into by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements (including, for
the avoidance of doubt, cash pooling arrangements) for the purposes of netting
debit and credit balances of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including
pursuant to any Treasury Services Agreement; and
(ee) Liens
over cash deposits deposited with the trustee in connection with the purchase of
certain Existing Notes
Section
4.02. Investments. Make
or hold any Investments, except:
(a) Investments in cash
or Cash Equivalents;
(b) loans and advances to employees, directors and officers of such Originator and its Subsidiaries (i) required by applicable employment laws or (ii) otherwise in the ordinary course of business for travel, business, related entertainment, relocation, as part of a recruitment or retention plan and related expenses in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000;
(c) Investments (i) by such
Restricted Party in any Transaction Party or any ABF Loan Party or any Person
that will, substantially contemporaneously with the making of the relevant
Investment, become a Transaction Party or ABF Loan Party (ii) by any Restricted
Party that is not a Transaction Party or any ABF Loan Party in the Company or
any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not at the time of such Investment a
Transaction Party or ABF Loan Party, (iii) by such Restricted Party (A) in any
Subsidiary, constituting an exchange of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary for
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary or (B) constituting Guarantees of Indebtedness
or other monetary obligations of Subsidiaries owing to such Restricted Party and
(iv) consisting of intercompany Investments incurred in the ordinary course of
business among the Restricted Parties and any ABF Restricted Parties on the one
hand, and the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the
other;
28
(d)
[Reserved]
(e)
(i) Investments existing on the Closing Date, (ii) Investments contemplated on
the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 4.02(e) and (iii) any modification,
replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension of any Investment set forth on
Schedule 4.02(e) that does not increase the aggregate amount
thereof;
(f)
Swap Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and otherwise
permitted under the Senior Facility Credit Agreement;
(g) any
acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of, or all the Equity
Interests (other than directors qualifying shares) in, a Person or division or
line of business of a Person to the extent (A) such acquisition is effected by a
contribution to capital constituting Disqualified Equity Interests, (B) the
consideration paid is settled by the issuance or with proceeds of the issuance
of Qualified Equity Interests of the Company or Parent or any Holding Company of
Parent or (C) immediately after giving effect thereto: Article 1 no Event of
Termination or Potential Event of Termination shall have occurred and be
continuing or would result therefrom; Article 2 the acquired
entity, assets, division or line of business shall be in a Permitted Business;
Article 3 after giving effect to such acquisition the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries would be in pro forma compliance with the First Lien Senior Secured
Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) and
Consolidated Debt Service Ratio required by Section 7.11 of (and as defined
under) the Senior Facility Credit Agreement; and Article 4 with respect to such
Investments by Transaction Parties in assets that are not (or do not be or
become) owned by a Transaction Party or in Persons that are not or do not become
Transaction Parties within 90 days of consummation of the acquisition (1) such
Person shall not be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary within 12 months of
such acquisition and (2) the aggregate consideration paid in such Investments
pursuant to this clause (iv) shall not exceed $2,000,000,000 (net of any capital
distribution in respect of any such Investment) (any such acquisition, a Permitted
Acquisition);
(h)
loans and advances to the Company and any other direct or indirect parent of a
Restricted Subsidiary, in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after
giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect
thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to such parent
in accordance with Section 4.06; provided that such loans and
advances shall be deemed a Restricted Payment for the purposes of Section
4.06;
(i)
Additional Investments to the extent of the Applicable Amount (as defined in the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement), as and to the extent permitted under the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement;
(j)
Investments (including Investments in securities) received pursuant to any plan
of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy orinsolvency
of any debtors of such Restricted Party or received in settlement of debts
created in the ordinary course of business and owing to such Restricted Party or
in satisfaction of judgments or in settlement of any litigation or
arbitration;
29
(k) Investments by a
Restricted Party in a Securitization Entity (as defined in the Senior Facility
Credit Agreement) or any Investment by a Securitization Entity in any other
Person in connection with a Securitization Transaction (as defined in the Senior
Facility Credit Agreement); provided that any Investment in a Securitization
Entity is in the form of a purchase money note or an equity
interest;
(l)
Investments held by any Person (other than an Affiliate of such Person) that
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of an Originator; provided that such Investments
were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such
Person;
(m)
Investments in Subsidiaries of Restricted Parties or Permitted Joint
Ventures not to exceed $500,000,000 plus
(i) the aggregate net
after-tax amount returned in cash on or with respect to any Investments made in
such Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Permitted Joint Ventures whether through
interest payments, principal payments, dividends or other distributions or
payments on account of such Investment,
(ii) the net after-tax
cash proceeds received by such Restricted Party from the disposition of all or
any portion of such Investments (other than to a Restricted Party),
(iii)
upon redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary of a Restricted Party as
a Restricted Subsidiary, the fair market value of such Subsidiary;
and
(iv) Investments
in Equity Interests of Specified Joint Ventures in an amount not to exceed
$20,000,000;
(n)
Investments in a Permitted Business having an aggregate value, taken together
with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause that are at that time
outstanding, not to exceed $250,000,000 (with value of each such Investment
being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes
in value);
(o)
Investments through the licensing contribution of technology in a Person that is
or will be as a result of such Investment a Permitted Joint Venture, or
Investments through the licensing, contribution or transactions
whicheconomically
result in a contribution in-kind of intellectual property pursuant to joint
venture arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of
business;
30
(p) Guarantees of
Indebtedness to the extent such Guarantee is permitted under Section
4.03;
(q)
Investments made by such Restricted Party as consideration for a Disposition
pursuant to Section 4.05;
(r) Limited Recourse
Stock Pledges; and
(s)
Investments not otherwise permitted in the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no Investment shall be made in any member of the Millennium
Holdings Group (as defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) other than
Investments (x) outstanding on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule
4.02(e), (y) made pursuant to Section 4.02(i) or Section 4.06(d) for
the purpose of paying final judgments or settlements or orders for the payment
of money or for the purpose of paying costs and expenses associated with
litigation and claims under the related insurance policies and (z) in respect of
environmental remediation capital expenditures or for the purpose of paying
costs and expenses associated with litigation and claims under related insurance
policies.
Section
4.03. Indebtedness. Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness of any
Transaction Party under the Transaction Documents or any ABF Loan Party under
the ABF Agreement and ABF Collateral Documents or, in either case, any
refinancings thereof;
(b) Indebtedness existing
or outstanding on the Closing Date and any refinancing thereof permitted under
the Senior Facility Credit Agreement;
(c) Guarantees by such
Restricted Party in respect of Indebtedness of the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary;
(d)
(i) Indebtedness of such Restricted Party owing to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent such Indebtedness would be permitted under the Senior
Facility Credit Agreement and (ii) non-ordinary course intercompany Indebtedness
of such Restricted Party owing to any Restricted Party for so long as such
Indebtedness is held by any Restricted Party, in each case subject to no Lien
held by a Person other than any Restricted Party; provided that in the case of
clause (ii) if as of any date any Person other than any Restricted Party owns or
holds any such intercompany Indebtedness or holds a Lien inrespect
of such Indebtedness, it shall be deemed the incurrence of Indebtedness not
permitted by this Section 4.03(d);
31
(e) Indebtedness incurred
in the ordinary course of business not to exceed the greater of (i) $200,000,000
in the aggregate and (ii) 0.8% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the date
of incurrence, in each case, at any one time outstanding and
(1) representing
Capitalized Leases or;
(2) constituting
Indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition of, or cost of design,
construction, installation, repair, addition to or improvement of, property or
assets of a Restricted Party or an ABF Restricted Party used in the ordinary
course of business of such Restricted Party or ABF Restricted Party; provided,
however, that such Indebtedness shall not exceed the cost of such property or
assets or repair or improvement thereof and shall not be secured by any property
or assets of such Restricted Party or ABF Restricted Party other than the
property and assets so acquired;
(f) Swap Contracts that
are incurred for the purpose of (i) fixing or hedging interest rate or currency
risk with respect to any fixed or floating rate Indebtedness permitted under
this Agreement or any receivable or liability the payment of which is determined
by reference to a foreign currency; provided that the notional principal amount
of any such Swap Contract does not exceed the principal amount of the
Indebtedness to which such Swap Contract relates or (ii) managing
fluctuations in the price or cost of raw materials, emission rights,
manufactured products or related commodities; provided that, in each case, such
obligations are entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or
mitigate risks to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is
exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its
liabilities;
(g) Indebtedness under
the Senior Second Lien Debt, any Permanent Financing, the Securitization
Transactions, the Asset Backed Credit Facilities (each as defined under the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement) entered into or existing, on the Closing Date
and the Existing Notes, the Guarantees thereof and any refinancing thereof
permitted under the Senior Facility Credit Agreement;
(h) Indebtedness arising
from agreements of such Originator or a Subsidiary providing for
indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn out or similar obligations,
in each case, incurred in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any
business, assets or Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred
by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or
Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that the
maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time
exceed the gross proceeds actually received by such Originator and
theSubsidiary
in connection with such disposition except to the extent such Originator or
relevant Subsidiary has a liability in respect of such business, asset or
subsidiary before (and not created in contemplation of) such
disposition;
32
(i) Treasury Services
Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(j) Indebtedness
consisting of obligations of such Restricted Party under deferred compensation
or other similar arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with the
Transaction and any acquisition, Investment, or Disposition expressly permitted
hereunder;
(k) Indebtedness of such
Restricted Party, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of
(i) $750,000,000 and (ii) 3% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the date of
incurrence, in each case, at any time outstanding;
(l) Indebtedness of such
Restricted Party represented by letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers
acceptances or warehouse receipts for the account of such Restricted Party or
any ABF Restricted Party or similar instruments, as the case may be, in order to
provide security for workers compensation or environmental claims, payment
obligations in connection with self-insurance or similar requirements in the
ordinary course of business;
(m) obligations in respect
of, tender, bid, judgment, appeal, performance or governmental contract bonds
and completion guarantees, surety, standby letters of credit and warranty and
contractual service obligations of a like nature, trade letters of credit and
documentary letters of credit and similar bonds or guarantees provided by such
Restricted Party or any ABF Restricted Party in the ordinary course of
business;
(n) the incurrence by a
Securitization Entity (as defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) of
Indebtedness in a Securitization Transaction (as defined in the Senior Facility
Credit Agreement) permitted hereunder that is not recourse to the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company (except for Standard Securitization
Undertakings);
(o) Indebtedness of a
Restricted Party to any of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the
purchase of accounts receivable and related assets by such Restricted Party from
any such Subsidiary which assets are subsequently conveyed by such Restricted
Party to a Securitization Entity in a Securitization Transaction;
(p) Guarantees by such
Restricted Party of Indebtedness incurred by Permitted Joint Ventures or
Unrestricted Subsidiaries not to exceed the greater of Article 5 $250,000,000 in
the aggregate and Article 6 1% of Consolidated NetTangible
Assets at the date of incurrence, in each case, at any one time
outstanding;
33
(q) Indebtedness of a
Person existing at the time that Person becomes a Restricted Party or assumed in
connection with an acquisition by a Restricted Party or Indebtedness attaching
to assets acquired in an acquisition, and, in each case not incurred in
connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition; provided that the holders of
any such Indebtedness do not, at any time, have direct or indirect recourse to
any property or assets of such Restricted Party other than the property or
assets of such acquired Person and its Subsidiaries; provided, further, that on
the date of such acquisition and after giving pro forma effect thereto, either
(i) the Company would have been able to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to Section 7.03(r) of the Senior Facility Credit Agreement
or (ii) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior
Facility Credit Agreement) would be greater than or equal to the Consolidated
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement)
immediately prior to giving pro forma effect to such acquisition in each case,
together with any Permitted Refinancing thereof;
(r) (i) other
Indebtedness of any Restricted Party or ABF Loan Party which may be secured by a
Lien to the extent permitted under Section 7.01 of the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement; provided that, (x) both immediately prior to and after giving effect
thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, no Default (as defined in the Senior Facility
Credit Agreement) shall exist or result therefrom and (y) the Consolidated Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis
after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness) for the most
recently ended four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available
immediately preceding the date on which such Indebtedness is incurred would have
been at least 2.00 to 1.00 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancings (as defined in
the Senior Facility Credit Agreement) thereof;
(s)
Indebtedness of such Restricted Party (each a JV Investor) the purpose of which
is to finance a Permitted Joint Venture or an investment therein; provided that
at all times (a) the creditors under the relevant facility have no direct or
indirect recourse to any Restricted Party other than such JV Investor and (b)
the only direct or indirect recourse those creditors have to such JV Investor is
limited to the proceeds (if any) of dividends received by such JV Investor in
respect of such JV Investors investment in that Permitted Joint
Venture;
(t) Indebtedness
consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each
case, in the ordinary course of business; and
(u) Indebtedness arising
from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check or draft
or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds, overdrafts and money
market lines in the ordinary course of business.
34
Section 4.04. Fundamental
Changes. Merge and amalgamate, dissolve, liquidate,
consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one
transaction or in a series of related transactions) all or substantially all of
its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any
Person (other than as part of the Transaction), except that:
(a) any Restricted Party
(other than a Transaction Party) may merge and amalgamate with any Restricted
Party;
(b) any Disposition
permitted under Section 4.05;
(c)
any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Transaction Party) may Dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to any
Originator or to another Restricted Subsidiary of an Originator;
and
(d)
so long as no Event of Termination or Potential Event of Termination exists or
would result therefrom, such Restricted Party may merge, consolidate or
amalgamate with any other Person; provided that (i) such Restricted Party shall
be the continuing or surviving corporation or (ii) if the Person formed by or
surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is not such Originator
(any such Person, the Successor
Originator), (A) the Successor Originator shall be an entity in the same
corporate form organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any
state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (B) the
Successor Originator shall expressly assume all the obligations of the
Originator under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which
such Originator is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (C) after giving effect to such
transaction and the use of any proceeds therefrom, the Company would have the
ability to incur (i) an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness under Section 7.03(r)
under the Senior Facility Credit Agreement or (ii) the Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio under (and as defined in) the Senior Facility Credit Agreement 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 will be equal to or greater than it was immediately before such
transaction; and (D) the Originator shall have delivered to the Agent a
certificate of a Financial Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that
such merger, amalgamation or consolidation and such supplement to this Agreement
or any Transaction Document comply with this Agreement; provided, further, that
if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Originator, will succeed to, and
be substituted for, the Originator under this Agreement; provided, further, that
unless such Person is an Originator, neither Millennium Chemicals Inc. nor
Millennium Holdings LLC nor any of their respective subsidiaries as of the
Closing Date may be merged with or into any Restricted Party.
35
Section 4.05. Dispositions. Make
any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition (other than
as part of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents), except:
(a) Dispositions of
obsolete, redundant, surplus or worn out property, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of
property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of any
Restricted Party;
(b) Dispositions of
inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Dispositions of
property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against
the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such
Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement
property;
(d) Dispositions to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such Dispositions would be
permitted under the Senior Facility Credit Agreement;
(e)
Dispositions permitted by Sections 4.04 and 4.07 and Liens permitted by Section
4.01;
(f)
Dispositions of property pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions; provided that
the fair market value of all property so Disposed of after the Closing Date
shall not exceed $250,000,000;
(g) Dispositions of cash
and Cash Equivalents;
(h) leases, subleases,
licenses or sublicenses (including the provision of software under an open
source license), in each case in the ordinary course of business and which do
not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(i)
transfers of property as a result of Casualty Events;
(j)
Dispositions of property not otherwise permitted under this Section, the
proceeds (net of costs associated with such Disposition) of which do not to
exceed $1,000,000,000 in any transaction or series of related transactions in
the aggregate; provided that (i) at
the time of such Disposition, no Event of Termination or Potential Event of
Termination shall exist or would result from such Disposition, and (ii) with
respect to any Disposition pursuant to this clause for a purchase price in
excess of $50,000,000, the Restricted Parties shall receive not less than 75% of
such consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents (in each case, free
and clear of all Liens at the time received); provided for the
purposes of this clause (ii) any liabilities (as shown on the Companys most
recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the
Company orsuch
Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms
subordinated to the payment in cash of the Obligations, that are assumed by the
transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the Company
and all of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all
applicable creditors in writing shall be deemed to be cash;
36
(k) Dispositions listed in
Schedule 4.05(k) hereto;
(l) Dispositions of inventory
and accounts receivable in connection with any Securitization Transactions or
the transactions contemplated by the ABF Agreement;
(m) any swap of assets in
exchange for services or other assets in the ordinary course of business of
comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as determined in good faith by the management of
the Company; and
(n) Dispositions pursuant
to buy-sell arrangements or similar agreements between Lyondell China Holdings
Limited of Ningbo ZRCC and Lyondell Chemical Company Ltd.
provided that any
Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 4.05 (except (i) pursuant
to Section 4.05(e) and Section 4.05(i) and (ii) Dispositions from a Transaction
Party or an ABF Loan Party to any other Transaction Party or ABF Loan Party)
shall be for no less than the fair market value of such property at the time of
such Disposition.
Section
4.06. Restricted
Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any
Restricted Payment, except:
(a) such Restricted Party
may make Restricted Payments to the Company and Restricted Subsidiaries (and, in
the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-Wholly Owned Restricted Party, to the
Company and any other Restricted Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity
Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership
interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests);
(b) such Restricted Party
may declare and make dividend payments or other Restricted Payments payable
solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests not
otherwise permitted by Section 4.03) of such Person;
(c) the payment of any
dividend or consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after
the date of declaration of such dividend or the giving of a redemption notice if
the dividend or redemption would have been permitted on the date of declaration
or giving of notice
37
(d) any Restricted
Payments, either (i) solely in exchange for shares of Qualified Equity Interests
of the Company or (ii) if no Default or Event of Default under and as defined in
the Senior Facility Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing,
through the application of net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent
equity offering (other than to a subsidiary of the Company) or capital
contribution received by the Company;
(e) to the extent
constituting Restricted Payments, a Restricted Party may enter into and
consummate the Acquisition and transactions expressly permitted by any provision
of Section 4.04;
(f) cash repurchases of
Equity Interests in such Restricted Party deemed to occur upon exercise of stock
options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise
price of such options or warrants;
(g) beginning on August
1, 2010, so long as no Default or Event of Default under and as defined in the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing or would
be caused thereby, repurchases by such Restricted Party of, or declarations and
payments of dividends to a direct or indirect parent of such Restricted Party to
permit repurchases by such direct or indirect parent of, Equity Interests of the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or such parent from employees, former
employees, directors or former directors of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such Persons)
or their authorized representatives upon the death, disability or termination of
employment of such employees or directors, in an aggregate amount for all
periods not to exceed 2.0% of the capital stock of the Company from time to time
at fair market value at the date of such repurchase;
(h) Restricted Payments
to any direct or indirect parent company of the Company for legal, audit, tax
and other expenses directly relating to the administration of that parent
company (or any of its parent companies) including customary compensation
payable to that Persons directors and employees, not to exceed 1,500,000 or the
equivalent dollar amount in any fiscal year;
(i) cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares pursuant to the exercise or conversion of any exercisable or convertible securities;
(j) payments or
distributions to dissenting shareholders pursuant to applicable Law in
connection with or in contemplation of, any acquisition, merger, amalgamation,
consolidation or transfer of assets that complies with Section
4.04;
(k) payments of dividends
on Disqualified Equity Interests issued in accordance with Section
4.03;
38
(l) directors fees
(including non-executive directors of such Originator) or if the Originator is a
partnership, directors fees of the general partner of the Originator, in an
amount not to exceed $1,500,000 per year;
(m) so long as no Default
or Event of Default under and as defined in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement
shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused thereby, Restricted
Payments in respect of sums payable (including payment of fees) pursuant to the
Management Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $25,000,000 in
respect of any fiscal year in which Consolidated EBITDA is less than
$6,000,000,000 or (y) $30,000,000 in respect of any fiscal year in which
Consolidated EBITDA exceeds $6,000,000,000;
(n) so long as no
Default or Event of Default under and as defined in the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused thereby, (i)
Restricted Payments by any Restricted Party in an amount not to exceed (x) prior
to Listing $50,000,000 per annum and $200,000,000 in the aggregate, plus (y) at any time,
if, the Applicable Amount Availability Condition under and as defined in the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement shall be met, other Restricted Payments
in an aggregate amount pursuant to this clause (n) not to exceed the portion, if
any, of the Applicable Amount under and as defined in the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement on the date of such election that the Servicer elects to apply
pursuant to this clause (n), such election to be specified in a written notice
of a Principal Financial Officer calculating in reasonable detail the amount of
Applicable Amount immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof
elected to be so applied, and (ii) following Listing, the payment of dividends
on the listed common stock at a rate not to exceed 6% per annum of the net cash
proceeds received by the Company in connection with such Listing or any
subsequent Listing; provided that if such Listing was of the share capital of a
Holding Company of the Company, the net proceeds of any such dividend are used
to fund a corresponding dividend in equal or greater amount on the share capital
of such Holding Company;
(o) distributions by
any Restricted Party or any joint venture of chemicals to a holder of Equity
Interests of such Restricted Party or joint venture if such distributions are
made pursuant to a provision in a joint venture agreement or other arrangement
entered into in connection with the establishment of such joint venture or
Restricted Party that requires such holder to pay a price for such chemicals
equal to that which would be paid in a comparable transaction negotiated on an
arms-length basis (or pursuant to a provision that imposes a substantially
equivalent requirement); and
(p) payments in the
amounts and on the conditions described in the Tax Sharing Agreement (as defined
in the Senior Facility Credit Agreement).
39
Section
4.07. Change
in Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business
substantially different from a Permitted Business.
Section
4.08. Transactions with
Affiliates. Enter into any transaction of any kind with any
Affiliate of such Restricted Party, whether or not in the ordinary course of
business, other than:
(a) reasonable fees and
compensation paid to and employee benefit arrangements, customary insurance and
indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, managers, employees or
consultants of such Restricted Party as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors or senior management of the Company or such Restricted
Party;
(b) transactions
exclusively between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or exclusively between or among such Restricted Subsidiaries in each case,
provided such transactions are not otherwise prohibited hereby;
(c) any agreement as in
effect as of the Closing Date set forth on Schedule 4.09(c) or any amendment or
renewal thereto or any transaction contemplated thereby or in any replacement
agreement thereto so long as any such amendment or renewal or replacement
agreement is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders (as determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company in their reasonable and good faith judgment) in any
material respect than the original agreement;
(d) Investments of the
type described in clauses (b), (c), (g), (h), (i), (m) and (s) of Section 4.02
and Restricted Payments made in compliance with Section 4.06;
(e)
transactions between any of the Originators, the ABF Loan Parties and any of
their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the ABF Agreement and the Receivables Purchase Agreement;
(f) transactions with
customers, clients, suppliers, distributors or other purchases or sales of goods
or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(g)
transactions with Permitted Joint Ventures entered into in the ordinary course
of business and in a manner consistent with past practice;
(h)
the issuance or sale of any Qualified Equity Interests of such Originators
Equity Interests or capital contributions received by such
Originator;
(i)
transactions entered into between or among such Restricted Party and any joint
venture, or other Affiliate that would otherwise be subject to this covenant
solely because a Restricted Party owns any Equity Interests of or otherwise
controls such person, or other Affiliate engaged in a Permitted Business that is
under common control with such Restricted Party, on terms that are no
lessfavorable
as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party
or, if no such comparable transaction is available, on terms that are fair from
a financial point of view to such Restricted Party;
40
(j) transactions entered
into by a Person prior to the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
or is merged or consolidated into a Restricted Party (provided such transaction
is not entered into in contemplation of such event);
(k) dividends and
distributions to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Unrestricted
Subsidiary of the Company or joint venture; and
(l) transactions (x)
involving aggregate payments of consideration equal to or less than $10,000,000
or (y) on terms that are no less favorable to the relevant Restricted Party than
those terms that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction
at such time on an arms-length basis by such Restricted Party and an unrelated
Person or, if no such comparable transaction with a Person who is not an
Affiliate is available on terms that are fair from a financial point of view to
such Restricted Party as certified by an independent financial advisor; provided that the board of
directors of each of such Restricted Party and the parent of such Restricted
Party must approve each transaction with an Affiliate to which they are a party
that involves aggregate payments or other property with a fair market value in
excess of $25,000,000 such approval to be evidenced by a board resolution that
states that the board of directors has determined that the transaction complies
with the foregoing provisions and (y) if any Restricted Party enters into a
transaction with an Affiliate that involves payments or other property with an
aggregate fair market value of more than $100,000,000, then prior to the
consummation of such transaction, the parties to such transaction must obtain a
favorable opinion as to the fairness of such transaction or series of related
transactions to such Restricted Party from a financial point of view, from an
independent financial advisor and file the same with the Agent.
Section
4.09. Burdensome
Agreements. Enter into or permit to exist any Contractual
Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Transaction Document) that
limits the ability of any Restricted Party to make Restricted Payments to any
Originator; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to Contractual
Obligations which:
(i) (x) exist on the
Closing Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section) are
listed on Schedule 4.09 and (y) to the extent Contractual Obligations permitted
by clause (x) are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness, are set
forth in any agreement evidencing any permitted renewal, extension or
refinancing of such Indebtedness so long as such renewal, extension or
refinancing does not expand the scope of such Contractual
Obligation,
41
(ii) are binding on
a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Contractual Obligations were not entered
into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and
as amended or modified; provided, however, that any such amendment or
modification is no less favorable to such Originator in any material respect as
determined by the Board of Directors of such Originator in their reasonable and
good faith judgment than the provisions prior to such amendment or modification;
provided further that this clause (ii) shall not apply to Contractual
Obligations that are binding on a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
pursuant to Section 4.04,
(iii) represent
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary which is not a Transaction Party which
is permitted by Section 4.03,
(iv) arise in connection
with any Disposition permitted by Section 4.04 or 4.05 and relate solely to the
assets or Person subject to such Disposition,
(v) are customary
provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable
to joint ventures permitted under Section 4.02 and applicable solely to such
joint venture entered into in the ordinary course of business,
(vi) are negative pledges
and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under
Section 4.03 but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the
property financed by such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any
Indebtedness constituting Junior Financing (as defined in the Senior Facility
Credit Agreement),
(vii) are customary restrictions on
leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby
so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto,
(viii) comprise restrictions
imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to
Section 4.03(e) to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property
or assets securing such Indebtedness,
(ix) are customary
provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a
leasehold interest of such Restricted Party,
(x) are customary provisions
restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of
business,
42
(xi) comprise
restrictions imposed by the Senior Facility Credit Agreement and related
documentation, the Senior Second Lien Debt Documentation, any Permanent
Financing, Permitted Refinancing or under any Receivables Financings (including
Securitization Transactions) (each as defined in the Senior Facility Credit
Agreement);
(xii) are restrictions on
cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business and
(xiii) customary restrictions in
construction loans, purchase money obligations, Capitalized Leases, security
agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Party to the
extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such
Capitalized Leases, security agreements or mortgages.
Section
4.10. Anti-Money
Laundering. Each Restricted Party will use commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that no funds used to pay the obligations under the
Transaction Documents are derived from any unlawful activity.
Section
4.11. Capital
Expenditures.
Limitation
on Capital Expenditures. Permit the aggregate amount of Capital
Expenditures (other than Excluded Capital Expenditures) made in any fiscal year
by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to exceed the amount set forth
opposite such fiscal year below (each such amount, a Scheduled Capital
Expenditure Amount):
Year
|
Amount
(in millions)
|
|||
January
1, 2008 -
December
31, 2008
|
$ | 1,250 | ||
January
1, 2009 and each fiscal year thereafter
|
$ | 1,000 |
provided, however,
that
(i) so long as no Event
of Termination or Potential Event of Termination has occurred and is continuing
or would result from such expenditure, an amount equal to 50% of any portion of
any amount set forth above, if not expended in the fiscal year for which it is
permitted above, may be carried over for expenditure in the following fiscal
year (each such amount, a Carry-Forward Amount); provided that if any such
amount is so carried over, it will be deemed used in the fiscal year after the
amount set forth opposite such fiscal year above; and
43
(ii) so long as no Event
of Termination or Potential Event of Termination has occurred and is continuing
or would result from such expenditure, if Capital Expenditures (other than
Excluded Capital Expenditures) made during any fiscal year exceed the amount set
forth opposite such fiscal year above, if any, an amount up to 50% of the
Scheduled Capital Expenditures Amount for the next succeeding fiscal year (each
such amount, a carry-back amount) may be carried back to such prior fiscal year
and utilized to make Capital Expenditures in such prior fiscal year (it being
understood and agreed that (A) no carry-back amount may be carried back beyond
the fiscal year immediately prior to the fiscal year of such Scheduled Capital
Expenditure Amount and (B) the portion of the carry-back amount actually
utilized in any fiscal year shall be deducted from the Scheduled Capital
Expenditure Amount in the fiscal year from which it was carried back); provided
further that if the Applicable Amount Availability Condition (as defined in the
Senior Facility Credit Agreement) shall be met, the Restricted Parties shall be
permitted to make Capital Expenditures in an aggregate amount pursuant to
Section 7.11(c) of the Senior Facility Credit Agreement not to exceed the
portion, if any, of the Applicable Amount (as defined in the Senior Facility
Credit Agreement) on the date of such election that the Restricted Parties elect
to apply such clause.
Section
4.12. Accounting
Changes. Make any change in its fiscal year; provided, however, that such Originator
may, upon written notice to the Agent, change its or any of its Subsidiaries
fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Agent , in
which case the Originator and the Agent shall, and are hereby authorized by the
Purchasers to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are reasonably
necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.
Section
4.13. Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio. If with respect to any period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on or after March 31, 2008, the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio calculated as of the end of such four-quarter period is less than 1.10 to
1:00 (an FCC Period),
permit to exist a period of five consecutive Business Days during the fiscal
quarter immediately following such FCC Period during which Total Excess
Availability on each such Business Day is less than $200,000,000 unless on each Business Day
during such five Business Day period both (x) Total Collateral Availability is
greater than or equal to $275,000,000 and (y) Total Excess Availability is
greater than or equal to $150,000,000.
44
ARTICLE
5
Undertaking
as to Servicer
Section
5.01. Unconditional
Undertaking. Lyondell hereby
unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes and agrees with and for the benefit
ofeach of
the Agent, and the Purchasers (collectively, the Indemnified Parties) to cause
the due and punctual performance and observance by the Servicer (so long as any
Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) of all of the terms, covenants,
agreements, undertakings and other obligations on the part of the Servicer (so
long as any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) to be performed or observed
under each of the Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Receivables Sale Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents and any other documents delivered in
connection therewith in accordance with the terms thereof, including, without
limitation, the obligations to pay when due all monetary obligations of the
Servicer (so long as any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) under the
Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Receivables Sale Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents, whether for Collections received, deemed Collections,
interest, indemnifications, fees, costs, expenses or otherwise (such terms,
covenants, agreements, undertakings and other obligations being the Obligations) and undertakes
and agrees to pay any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and
out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Indemnified Parties, or any of them, in
enforcing its rights under this Agreement. In the event that the
Servicer (so long as any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) shall fail in
any manner whatsoever to perform or observe any of its Obligations when the same
shall be required to be performed or observed, then Lyondell shall itself duly
and punctually perform or observe, or cause to be duly and punctually performed
and observed, such Obligation, and it shall not be a condition to the accrual of
the obligation of Lyondell hereunder to perform or observe any Obligation (or to
cause the same to be performed or observed) that any Indemnified Party shall
have first made any request of or demand upon or given any notice to the
Servicer (so long as any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of the
other Originators or any of their successors or assigns, or have instituted any
action or proceeding against the Servicer (whether or not any Affiliate of
Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of the other Originators or any of their
successors or assigns in respect thereof.
Section
5.02. Obligations
Absolute. Lyondell
undertakes and agrees that the Obligations will be paid and performed strictly
in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents and each other
document delivered in connection therewith, regardless of any law, regulation or
order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms
or the rights of any Indemnified Party with respect thereto. The
obligations of Lyondell under this Article 5 are independent of the Obligations,
and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against Lyondell
to enforce the obligations under this Article 5, irrespective of whether any
action is brought against the Servicer (if any Affiliate of Lyondell is the
Servicer) or any of the other Originators or whether the Servicer (if any
Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of the other Originators is joined
in any such action or actions. The liability of Lyondell under this
Article 5 shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and
to the extent permitted by law, Lyondell hereby irrevocably waives
anydefenses
(except for any defenses arising or accruing as a result of the gross negligence
or willful misconduct of any of the Indemnified Parties) it may now or hereafter
have in any way relating to, any or all of the following:
45
(a) any lack of validity
or enforceability of the Obligations or of any Pool Receivable, any Receivable
Interest or any Related Security, or of any Transaction Document or any other
document relating thereto;
(b) any change in the
time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the
Obligations under the Transaction Documents or any other document relating
thereto, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from
any Transaction Document or any other document relating thereto;
(c) any taking, exchange,
release or nonperfection of or failure to transfer title to any asset or
collateral, or any taking, release, amendment or waiver of or consent to
departure from any guaranty, for all or any of the Obligations;
(d) any manner of
application of any asset or collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of
the Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any asset or
collateral for all or any of the Obligations or any other obligations of the
Servicer (whether or not any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of
the other Originators under the Transaction Documents or any other document
relating thereto;
(e) any change,
restructuring or termination of the structure or existence of the Servicer
(whether or not any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of the other
Originators;
(f) any failure of any
Indemnified Party to disclose to Lyondell any information relating to the
financial condition, operations, properties or prospects of any of the other
Originators now or in the future known to such Indemnified Party (Lyondell
waiving any duty on the part of such Indemnified Party to disclose such
information);
(g) any impossibility or
impracticality of performance, illegality, any act of any government, or any
other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations)
or any existence of or reliance on any representation by any Indemnified Party
that might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Servicer
(whether or not any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of the other
Originators or a guarantor of the Obligations; or
(h) any other
circumstance, event or happening whatsoever, whether foreseen or unforeseen and
whether similar or dissimilar to anything referred to above in this Section
5.02.
46
Each of
the parties hereto and, by its acceptance hereof, the Agent, the Purchasers and
the other Indemnified Parties agrees that the obligations of any Originator
under this Agreement, including the obligations of Lyondell under Article 5
hereof, and any liability of any party in respect of its representations,
warranties and agreements under this Agreement, do not constitute in any way (i)
a guarantee of the obligations of the Seller under the Transaction Documents or
(ii) any agreement to indemnify or hold harmless any Indemnified Party from and
against any failure to collect amounts in respect of a Pool Receivable, to the
extent such failure results from a discharge of the Obligor with respect thereto
in a proceeding in respect of such Obligor under applicable bankruptcy laws or
otherwise results from such Obligors financial inability to pay such
amounts.
The
provisions of this Article 5 shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as
the case may be, if any time (x) any payment in connection with any of the
Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Indemnified Party,
or (y) any performance or observance of any Obligation is rescinded or otherwise
invalidated, upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Servicer
(if any Affiliate of Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of the other Originators
or otherwise, all as though payment had not been made or as though such
Obligation had not been performed or observed.
Section
5.03. Waivers and
Acknowledgments. Error! Bookmark not defined.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Originator hereby waives
promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice (except to the
extent that such other notice is expressly required to be given to such
Originator by any Indemnified Party pursuant to any other Transaction Document)
with respect to any of the Obligations and this Agreement and any other document
related thereto, and any requirement that any Indemnified Party protect, secure,
perfect or insure any lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right
or take any action against the Servicer (whether or not any Affiliate of
Lyondell is the Servicer) or any of the other Originators or any other Person or
any asset or collateral.
(b)
Each Originator hereby waives any right to revoke this Agreement, and
acknowledges that this Agreement is continuing in nature and applies to all
Obligations whether existing now or in the future.
Section
5.04. Subrogation.
Lyondell shall not exercise or assert any rights that it may now have or
hereafter acquire against the Servicer (to the extent Lyondell is not the
Servicer) or any of the other Originators that arise from the existence,
payment, performance or enforcement of Lyondells obligations under this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including, without limitation, any
right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or
indemnification or any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any
Indemnified Party against such Servicer or any of the other Originators or any
asset or collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity
orunder
contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to
take or receive from such Servicer or any of the other Originators, directly or
indirectly, in cash or other property or by setoff or in any other manner,
payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until
all amounts in connection with the Obligations and all amounts
payable under this Agreement shall have been paid in full and all other amounts
payable to the Indemnified Parties under the Transaction Documents shall have
been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification
obligations). If any amount shall be paid to Lyondell in violation of
the preceding sentence at any time prior to the later of (i) the payment in full
of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Agreement and all
amounts payable to the Indemnified Parties under the Transaction Documents
(other than contingent indemnification obligations) and (ii) the Termination
Date, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Indemnified
Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Agent to be credited and applied to
the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of
the Transaction Documents or to be held by the Agent as collateral security for
any Obligations payable under this Agreement thereafter arising.
47
ARTICLE
6
Section
6.01. Notices. Error! Bookmark not defined.
All notices and other communications hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated
herein, be given in writing or by any telecommunication device capable of
creating a written record (including, with respect to Approved Electronic
Communications, electronic mail), (i) to each Originator, the Agent and the
Initial Purchasers, at its address set forth under its name on the signature
pages of the Receivables Purchase Agreement or (ii) to each Purchaser other than
the Initial Purchasers, at its address specified on the Assignment and
Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Purchaser under the Receivables
Purchase Agreement or, in either case, at such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a notice to the other parties hereto given as
provided herein or in the Receivables Purchase Agreement.
(b) All notices and other
communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if
delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy equipment of
the sender, or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or
registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly
addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 6.01 or in accordance with
the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this
Section 6.01.
(c)
Notices and other communications hereunder not constituting Approved Electronic
Communications may be delivered or furnished byelectronic
communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Agent and Equistar; provided that approval of
such procedures may be limited to particular notices or
communications.
48
Section
6.02 . No Waivers. No
failure or delay by any Indemnified Party exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and
remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or
remedies provided by law.
Section
6.03 . Amendments and
Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or
waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by
each Originator and consented to by the Required Purchasers (and, if the rights
or duties of the Agent are affected thereby, by it).
Section
6.04. Continuing Agreement;
Assignments under Receivables Purchase Agreement. This
Agreement is a continuing agreement and shall, subject to the reinstatement
provisions contained in Section 5.02, Article 1 remain in full force and effect
until the later of (i) the payment and performance in full of the Obligations
and the payment of all other amounts payable under this Agreement (other than
contingent indemnification obligations) and (ii) the Termination Date, Article 2
be binding upon each Originator and their successors and permitted assigns, and
Article 3 inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Indemnified
Parties and each of their respective successors and permitted transferees and
assigns. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the
immediately preceding sentence, (A) any Purchaser may assign all or any of its
Receivables Interests under the Receivables Purchase Agreement in accordance
with the terms thereof, and (B) the Agent may be replaced pursuant to the
provisions the Receivables Purchase Agreement, and such replacement Agent, shall
thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such
Purchaser or the Agent, as the case may be, herein or
otherwise.
Section
6.05 . Successors. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns,
except that the Originators may not assign or otherwise transfer any of their
rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Agent and
the Purchasers. Any Person that hereafter becomes an Originator
pursuant to Section 7.01 of the Receivables Sale Agreement shall simultaneously
become an Originator party hereto pursuant to an instrument to such effect in
form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. Any Originator which
ceases to be an Originator pursuant to Section 7.03 of the Receivables Sale
Agreement shall automatically and simultaneously cease to be an Originator
hereunder (subject, in the case of Lyondell, to its continuing obligations under
Article 5 hereof).
49
Section
6.06 . Governing Law; Submission to
Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Originator
hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York and of any New York State court
sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City for purposes of all legal
proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby. Each Originator irrevocably waives, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter
have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court
and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought
in an inconvenient forum.
Section
6.08 . WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL. EACH ORIGINATOR AND, BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE AGENT,
EACH PURCHASER AND EACH OTHER INDEMNIFIED PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE)
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATION TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF THE
AGENT OR ANY PURCHASER IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR
ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
50
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed
by an authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.
LYONDELL
CHEMICAL COMPANY
as
Servicer and as Originator
|
||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
Title:
Authorized Representative
|
||
Address:
0000 XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Attention: Assistant Treasurer | ||
Telephone: 713/652-7200 | ||
Facsimile:
713/652-4598
|
EQUISTAR
CHEMICALS, LP
as
Originator
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
Title:
Authorized Representative
|
||
Address:
0000 XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Attention: Assistant Treasurer | ||
Telephone: 713/652-7200 | ||
Facsimile:
713/652-4598
|
HOUSTON
REFINING LP
as
Originator
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
Title:
Authorized Representative
|
||
Address:
0000 XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Attention: Assistant Treasurer | ||
Telephone: 713/652-7200 | ||
Facsimile:
713/652-4598
|