OASIS PETROLEUM INC. Underwriting Agreement
Exhibit 1.1
Execution Version
$400,000,000
6.500% Senior Notes due 2021
October 27, 2011
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC
as Representative of the
several Underwriters listed
in Schedule 1 hereto
as Representative of the
several Underwriters listed
in Schedule 1 hereto
c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Oasis Petroleum Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and
sell to the several underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”),
for whom you are acting as representative (the “Representative”), $400,000,000 principal
amount of its 6.500% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Securities”). The Securities will be
issued pursuant to an Indenture to be dated as of November 10, 2011 (the “Base Indenture”)
among the Company, the guarantors listed in Schedule 2 hereto (the “Guarantors”)
and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as amended and supplemented
by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto to be dated as of November 10, 2011 (the
“Supplemental Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The Base
Indenture as amended and supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the
“Indenture.” The Securities will be guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis pursuant to
guarantees (the “Guarantees”) by each of the Guarantors as set forth in the Indenture.
The Company and the Guarantors hereby confirm their agreement with the several Underwriters
concerning the purchase and sale of the Securities, as follows:
1. Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Securities
Act”), a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-175603), including a prospectus,
relating to the Securities. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became
effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the
Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“Rule
430 Information”), is
referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the term
“Preliminary Prospectus” means any preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the
Securities or the Guarantees filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities
Act and the base prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness
that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form
first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities
Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Securities. If the Company has filed an
abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule
462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration
Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Any reference in
this Agreement to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be
deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12
of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or the
date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be and any reference to
“amend”, “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after such
date under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”) that are deemed to be incorporated
by reference therein. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given
to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Information.
At or prior to the time when sales of the Securities were first made (the “Time of
Sale”), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively, the “Time of Sale
Information”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated October 27, 2011, and each “free-writing
prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex A
hereto as constituting part of the Time of Sale Information.
2. Purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters. (a) On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth
herein, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Securities to the several Underwriters as provided
in this Agreement, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the
Company the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in
Schedule 1 hereto at a price equal to 98.35% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
interest, if any, from November 10, 2011 to the Closing Date (as defined below). The Company will
not be obligated to deliver any of the Securities except upon payment for all the Securities to be
purchased as provided herein.
(b) The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the
Securities as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the
Representative is advisable, and initially to offer the Securities on the terms set forth in the
Prospectus. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell
Securities to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter and that any such affiliate may offer and
sell Securities purchased by it to or through any Underwriter.
(c) Payment for and delivery of the Securities will be made at the offices of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx
L.L.P. at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on November 10, 2011, or at such other time or place on
the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the
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Representative and the Company may agree upon in writing. The time and date of such payment and
delivery is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”
(d) Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds
to the account(s) specified by the Company to the Representative against delivery of the Securities
to the Representative through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), for
the account of the Underwriters. Concurrently, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as
custodian for DTC, one or more global notes representing the Securities (collectively, the
“Global Note”), with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the
Securities duly paid by the Company.
(e) The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters are acting
solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company and the
Guarantors with respect to the offering of Securities and the Guarantees contemplated hereby
(including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor
or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company, the Guarantors or any other person. Additionally,
neither the Representative nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company, the Guarantors or any
other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any
jurisdiction. The Company and the Guarantors shall consult with their own respective advisors
concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making their own respective independent
investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Representative
nor any other Underwriter shall have any responsibility or liability to the Company with respect
thereto. Any review by the Representative (whether acting on behalf of the Underwriters or itself)
or any other Underwriter of the Company, the Guarantors, the transactions contemplated hereby or
other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the
Underwriters or such Underwriter, as the case may be, and shall not be on behalf of the Company or
the Guarantors.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and
the Guarantors jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Underwriter that:
(a) Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of
filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company and the Guarantors make no
representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and
in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by
such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus.
(b) Time of Sale Information. The Time of Sale Information, at the Time of Sale did not, and
at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company and the
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Guarantors make no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to
the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in such
Time of Sale Information.
(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company and the Guarantors (including their agents
and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) have not prepared,
made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve
or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that
constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such
communication by the Company and the Guarantors or their agents and representatives (other than a
communication referred to in clauses (i) (ii) and (iii) below) an “Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section
2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act, (ii) the Preliminary
Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the documents listed on Annex A hereto as
constituting the Time of Sale Information and (v) any electronic road show or other written
communications, in each case approved in writing in advance by the Representative. Each such
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been
or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities
Act (to the extent required thereby) and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus
accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not at
the Time of Sale, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company and
the Guarantors make no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made
in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information
relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the
Representative expressly for use in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. No Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus included, and on the Closing Date no Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will include, any
information that conflicts with information in the Registration Statement or the Preliminary
Prospectus.
(d) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf
registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act that has been filed with
the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; such Registration Statement
became effective upon filing with the Commission under the Securities Act; and no notice of
objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act has been received by the
Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the
Commission and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act
against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration
Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such
post-effective amendment complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act
and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder (collectively, the “Trust Indenture Act”), and did not and will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
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fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not
misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of
the Closing Date, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
provided that the Company and the Guarantors make no representation and warranty with
respect to (i) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act or (ii) any
statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any
Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative
expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus
and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(e) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in each of the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, when they became effective
or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conformed in all material respects to the
requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, as applicable, and none of such documents
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and any further documents so filed and
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Time of Sale
Information, when such documents become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may
be, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(f) Financial Statements. The historical consolidated financial statements (including the
related notes and supporting schedules, if any) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale
Information and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods specified; such
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting requirements
of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods involved and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in each of the
Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus present fairly in all
material respects the information stated therein. The summary historical consolidated data set
forth or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale
Information and the Prospectus under the caption “Summary—Summary historical consolidated
financial data” is accurately presented in all material respects and prepared on a basis consistent
with the historical financial statements from which it has been derived. All disclosures contained
or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information
and the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules
and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G under the
Exchange Act and Item 10 of
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Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. Any other financial
information included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time
of Sale Information and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company
and its subsidiaries and presents fairly, in all material respects, the information shown thereby.
(g) No Material Adverse Change. Except as set forth in each of the Registration Statement,
the Time of Sale Information and Prospectus, since the date of the most recent financial statements
of the Company included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the
Time of Sale Information and Prospectus, there has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations, capitalization or long-term debt of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(h) Organization and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated, is
validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has the
corporate power and authority to own, lease, operate or hold its property and to conduct its
business and to enter into and assume the liabilities and obligations assumed or to be assumed by
it pursuant to the Transaction Documents (as defined below) to which it is a party, as described in
each of the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and Prospectus, and is duly qualified
to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
business or its ownership or lease of property requires such qualification, except to the extent
the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial position, stockholders’
equity, results of operations, or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
or on the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their obligations under the Securities
and the Guarantees (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
(i) Organization and Good Standing of the Subsidiaries. The Company has no subsidiaries other
than those identified on Schedule 3. Each subsidiary of the Company, including the
Guarantors, has been duly incorporated, formed or organized, as applicable, is validly existing as
an entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, formation or
organization, as applicable (such jurisdictions listed on Schedule 3), has the corporate or
other power and authority to own, lease, operate or hold its property and to conduct its business,
and to enter into and assume the liabilities and obligations assumed or to be assumed by it
pursuant to the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, as described in each of the
Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to
transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business
or its ownership or lease of property requires such qualification (such jurisdictions listed on
Schedule 3), except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good
standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company does not own, directly or
indirectly, equity securities or other ownership interests of any entity other than its interests
in such subsidiaries.
(j) Capitalization. The table under the heading “Capitalization” in each of the Registration
Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus sets forth as of the date of such table,
(i) the actual capitalization of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and (ii)
the as adjusted capitalization of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated
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basis, after giving effect to the issuance of the Securities and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information
and the Prospectus under the section entitled “Use of proceeds.” The limited liability company
agreements governing all limited liability company interests of each subsidiary of the Company have
been validly executed and delivered, and all capital contributions required under such limited
liability company agreements have been paid in full; and all of the limited liability company
interests of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, fully
paid and are non-assessable, and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of
any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other
claim of any third party, except as otherwise described in each of the Registration Statement, the
Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, including liens under the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2010, by and among Oasis Petroleum LLC, Oasis Petroleum North
America LLC, the guarantors party thereto, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent and the lenders
thereto, as amended by the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of
June 3, 2010, the Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 11,
2010, the Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver, dated as of
January 21, 2011, the Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June
16, 2011, and the Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Facility, dated as of October 6,
2011 (as so amended, the “Credit Agreement”).
(k) Due Authorization. The Company and each of the Guarantors have full right, power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Securities, the Indenture (including each
Guarantee set forth therein) (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”), to the extent it
is a party thereto, and to perform their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all
action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery of each of
the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby has been duly and validly taken.
(l) The Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture. The Base Indenture has been duly
authorized by the Company and upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement was duly qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act and, when duly executed and when duly executed and delivered in
accordance with its terms by the Company, the Base Indenture will constitute a valid and legally
binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally or by
equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) relating to
enforceability (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”); the Supplemental Indenture
has been duly authorized by the Company and each of the Guarantors and, when duly executed and
delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, the Supplemental Indenture
will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company and each of the Guarantors
enforceable against the Company and each of the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, subject to
the Enforceability Exceptions; and on the Closing Date, the Indenture will conform in all
material respects to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
“Trust Indenture Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission applicable to an
indenture that is qualified thereunder.
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(m) The Securities and the Guarantees. The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company
and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid
for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid
and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of and
be in the form contemplated by the Indenture; and the Guarantees have been duly authorized by each
of the Guarantors and, when the Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be valid and legally
binding obligations of each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of the Guarantors in
accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the
benefits of and be in the form contemplated by the Indenture.
(n) Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Company and each of the Guarantors.
(o) Descriptions of the Transaction Documents. Each Transaction Document conforms in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the
Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(p) No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in
violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no
event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in
the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or
to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; or
(iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or
arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and
(iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company and each of the
Guarantors of each of the Transaction Documents to which each is a party, the issuance and sale of
the Securities (and the Guarantees), and compliance by the Company and each of the Guarantors with
the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or
by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii)
result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any
court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except for any such conflict,
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breach, violation, default, lien, charge or encumbrance described in clauses (i) and
(iii) above, which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(r) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, filing, registration or
qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is
required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and each of the Guarantors of
each of the Transaction Documents to which each is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities
(and the Guarantees), and compliance by the Company and each of the Guarantors with the terms
thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except
for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, those required by the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the qualification of the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, filings, registrations or
qualifications as may be required under applicable state securities laws in connection with the
purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.
(s) Legal Proceedings. There are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions,
suits or proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party (or with
respect to any of the foregoing in existence on the date hereof, to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to become a party) or to which any property of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (or with respect to any of the foregoing in existence
on the date hereof, to which any such property could reasonably be expected to become subject)
other than (i) as accurately described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale
Information and the Prospectus and (ii) that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect; and, to the knowledge of the Company and each of the Guarantors, no such
investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or contemplated by any governmental or
regulatory authority or by others.
(t) Independent Accountants. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who have certified certain financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public accountants with respect to
the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the
Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by
Regulation S-X.
(u) Title to Real and Personal Property. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has (i) good
and defensible title to all of its oil and gas properties (including oil and gas xxxxx, producing
leasehold interests and appurtenant personal property), title investigations having been carried
out by the Company or its subsidiaries consistent with the reasonable practice in the oil and gas
industry in the areas in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate and (ii) good and
marketable title to all other real and personal property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries,
in each case, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in
each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or such as do
not materially affect the value of the properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered
as one enterprise, and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to
be made of such properties by the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise; and
all of the leases and subleases under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds or uses
properties are in full force and effect, with such exceptions as would not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the
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Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has
been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or its subsidiaries under any of the
leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any
subsidiary thereof to the continued possession or use of the leased or subleased premises. The
working interests in oil, gas and mineral leases or mineral interests which constitute a portion of
the real property held by the Company reflect in all material respects the right of the Company to
explore, develop or receive production from such real property, and the care taken by the Company
and its subsidiaries with respect to acquiring or otherwise procuring such leases or mineral
interests was generally consistent with standard industry practices in the areas in which the
Company and its subsidiaries operate for acquiring or procuring leases and interests therein to
explore, develop or produce for hydrocarbons.
(v) Rights-of-Way. The Company and its subsidiaries have such consents, easements,
rights-of-way or licenses from any person (“rights-of-way”) as are necessary to enable the
Company and its subsidiaries to conduct their business in the manner described in each of the
Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, subject to such
qualifications as may be set forth in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale
Information and the Prospectus, and except for such rights-of-way the lack of which would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(w) Title to Intellectual Property. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can
acquire on reasonable terms, all patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how
(including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential
information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade names currently employed
by them in connection with the business now operated by them, except where the failure to so own or
possess would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement of or conflict with
asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing, which, individually or in the
aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(x) No Undisclosed Relationships. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers,
equityholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that
is required by the Securities Act to be described in a registration statement that is not described
or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information
and the Prospectus. There are no outstanding loans, extensions of credit or advances or guarantees
of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the
Company or any of the members of the families of any of them.
(y) Investment Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, and after
giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds
thereof as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the
Prospectus under the heading “Use of proceeds,” none of them will be, an “investment company” or an
entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the
“Investment Company Act”).
10
(z) Taxes. All United States federal income tax returns of the Company and its subsidiaries
required by law to be filed have been filed through the date of this Agreement (taking into account
timely filed extensions) and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due
and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which appeals have been or will be promptly
taken and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. The Company
and its subsidiaries have filed all other tax returns that are required to have been filed through
the date of this Agreement (taking into account timely filed extensions) pursuant to applicable
foreign, state, local or other law except insofar as the failure to file such returns would not
result in a Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or
pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and its subsidiaries, except (i) for such taxes,
if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided
in accordance with GAAP, or (ii) insofar as the failure to pay would not result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
(aa) Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses,
certificates, authorizations and permits issued by, and have made all declarations and filings
with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities
necessary to own or lease their respective properties and to conduct their respective businesses,
except where the failure to possess such licenses, certificates, authorizations or permits would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in
each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the
revocation, nonrenewal or modification of any such license, certificate, authorization or permit
which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or
finding, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(bb) No Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with the employees of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of the Guarantors, is
threatened or imminent, except for any such disturbance or dispute that would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any Guarantor is aware of
any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by or dispute with the employees of any of
the Company’s or any of the Company’s subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, manufacturers, contractors
or consultants, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(cc) Compliance With Environmental Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries (i) are in
compliance with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to
the protection of human health and safety (to the extent such health and safety relate to exposure
to hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants), the environment or
hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”),
(ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable
Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses as they are currently being conducted,
and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval,
except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive such required permits,
licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits,
licenses or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
There are no costs or liabilities arising under Environmental Laws with
11
respect to the operations or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries (including,
without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up or closure of
properties, compliance with Environmental Laws, any permit, license or approval or any related
legal constraints on operating activities, and any potential liabilities of third parties assumed
under contract by the Company or its subsidiaries) that would, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(dd) Compliance with ERISA. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect, (i) each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), for which the
Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a
member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) would have any liability (each, a
“Plan”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any
applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the
Code; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a
statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of
Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no “accumulated funding deficiency” as defined in
Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur;
(iv) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits
accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan); (v) no
“reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably
expected to occur; and (vi) neither the Company nor any member of the Controlled Group has
incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than
contributions to the Plan or premiums to the PBGC, in the ordinary course and without default) in
respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan”, within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA).
(ee) Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of
“disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it
files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures
designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s
management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and
its subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and
procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.
(ff) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of “internal
control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply
with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of,
their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing
similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The
Company and its subsidiaries (A) make and keep books, records
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and accounts, which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of their assets and (B) maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and
(iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable
intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in
each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, since the end
of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, (i) the Company has no reason to believe that
there has been any material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
(whether or not remediated) and (ii) there has been no change in the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(gg) Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized
financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and
customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its
existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from
similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a
Material Adverse Effect, except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of
Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(hh) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the
knowledge of the Company and each of the Guarantors, any director, officer, agent, employee or
other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i)
used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful
expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any
foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in
violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or the Xxxxxxx Xxx 0000 of
the United Kingdom; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other
unlawful payment.
(ii) Compliance with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable
financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions
Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company
and its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or
similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental
agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or
before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company
or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Company and the Guarantors, threatened.
13
(jj) Compliance with OFAC. None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge
of the Company and the Guarantors, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the
Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”); and the
Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities
hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint
venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any
person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(kk) Solvency. On and immediately after the Closing Date, the Company (after giving effect to
the issuance of the Securities (and the Guarantees) and the other transactions related thereto as
described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus)
will be Solvent. As used in this paragraph, the term “Solvent” means, with respect to a
particular date, that on such date (i) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable
value) of the assets of the Company is not less than the total amount required to pay the
liabilities of the Company on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent
liabilities) as they become absolute and matured; (ii) the Company is able to realize upon its
assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they
mature and become due in the normal course of business; (iii) assuming consummation of the issuance
of the Securities (and the Guarantees) as contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration
Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, the Company is not incurring debts or
liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; (iv) the Company is not
engaged in any business or transaction, and does not propose to engage in any business or
transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due
consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which the Company is engaged; and (v)
the Company is not a defendant in any civil action that would result in a judgment that the Company
is or would become unable to satisfy.
(ll) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in Section 9.04 of the Credit
Agreement, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any
agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to
the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s equity securities or similar
ownerships interest, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the
Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any
other subsidiary of the Company.
(mm) No Broker’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any
contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give
rise to a valid claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Underwriter for a
brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the
Securities.
(nn) No Registration Rights. No person has the right to require the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing
of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issuance and sale of the Securities.
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(oo) No Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors has taken, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any
stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.
(pp) Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities nor the
application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in each of the Registration
Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of
Governors. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries does not own, and none of the proceeds from
the offering of Securities contemplated hereby will be used directly or indirectly to purchase or
carry, any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System).
(qq) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained or incorporated by
reference in any of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus has
been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(rr) Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of the Company or any
Guarantor that has caused the Company or any Guarantor to believe that the statistical and
market-related data included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement,
the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are
reliable and accurate in all material respects.
(ss) Engineers; Reserve Reports. The information underlying the estimates of the Company’s and
Oasis Petroleum LLC’s reserves that was supplied to each of XxXxxxxx and XxxXxxxxxxx and X.X. Xxx
Xxxxxx & Co. (the “Reserve Engineers”) for the purposes of preparing the reserve reports
and estimates of the proved reserves of the Company referenced, included or incorporated by
reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus
(the “Reserve Reports”), including production and costs of operation and estimates of
future capital expenditures and other future exploration and development costs, was true and
correct in all material respects on the dates such estimates were made, and such information was
supplied and prepared in good faith, with a reasonable basis and in accordance with customary
industry practices; other than normal production of the reserves, the impact of changes in prices
and costs, and fluctuations in demand for oil and natural gas, and except as disclosed in or
contemplated by each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the
Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors is aware of any facts or circumstances
that would in the aggregate result in a material adverse change in the aggregate net proved
reserves, or the aggregate present value or the standardized measure of the future net cash flows
therefrom, as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the
Prospectus and as reflected in the Reserve Reports; and the estimates of such reserves and the
standardized measure of such reserves as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time
of Sale Information and the Prospectus and reflected in the Reserve Reports referenced therein have
been prepared in a manner that complies with the applicable requirements of the rules under the
Securities Act with respect to such estimates. Each of the Reserve Engineers was, as of the date of
each of the Reserve Reports prepared by them,
15
and are, as of the date hereof, an independent petroleum engineer with respect to the Company
and its subsidiaries.
(tt) Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of
the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of
the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes Oxley Act”) and the rules and regulations
promulgated in connection therewith, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and
906, related to certifications.
(uu) Certain Statements and Agreements. The statements relating to legal matters, documents or
proceedings included in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, the
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Debt Securities,”
“Certain United States federal income tax considerations” and “Description of notes,” as the case
may be, in each case are accurate in all material respects and fairly summarize such matters,
documents or proceedings. All material contracts, agreements or other documents that are required
to be filed with the SEC as exhibits pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act have been
filed as required.
(vv) Certain Transactions. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
given in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i)
the Company and its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or
contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (ii) the Company has not purchased any of
its outstanding capital stock or equity, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or
distribution of any kind on its capital stock; and (iii) there has not been any material change in
the capital stock or equity, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries,
except in each case as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale
Information and the Prospectus, respectively.
(ww) Status under the Securities Act. The Company is not an ineligible issuer and has been
since the initial filing of the Registration Statement a well-known seasoned issuer, in each case
as defined under the Securities Act, in each case at the times specified in the Securities Act in
connection with the offering of the Securities.
(xx) Commission Comments. The Company has not received any written comments from the
Commission staff in connection with the Company’s reports under the Exchange Act that remain
unresolved.
4. Further Agreements of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and each of the
Guarantors jointly and severally covenant and agree with each Underwriter that:
(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within
the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act,
will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including the Term Sheet in the form of Annex
B hereto) to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and will file promptly
all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company
with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to
the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a
16
prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities; and the Company
will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not
previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time,
on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the
Representative may reasonably request. The Company has paid or will pay the registration fees for
this offering within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) under the Securities Act
(without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Date.
(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will make available to each Underwriter electronically
through XXXXX (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each
amendment thereto filed prior to the later of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) the expiration of the
Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below) or otherwise relating to the Securities, in each case
including all exhibits and consents filed therewith and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period
(as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements
thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as
the Representative may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery
Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Securities
as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Securities is
required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities
Act) in connection with sales of the Securities by any Underwriter or dealer.
(c) Amendments or Supplements; Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Prior to the later of (i)
the Closing Date and (ii) the expiration of the Prospectus Delivery Period, before making,
preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters a copy
of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not
make, prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or
file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably objects.
(d) Notice to the Representative. The Company will advise the Representative promptly, and
confirm such advice in writing, (i) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed
or becomes effective until the later of the (x) the Closing Date and (y) the expiration of the
Prospectus Delivery Period; (ii) when any supplement to the Prospectus or any amendment to the
Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus relating to the Securities has been filed; (iii)
of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment
or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the
Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information
relating to the Registration Statement or any document incorporated therein until the later of (x)
the Closing Date and (y) the expiration of the Prospectus Delivery Period; (iv) of the issuance by
the Commission of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or
preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or the initiation
or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act;
(v) of the occurrence of any event within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the
Prospectus, the Time of Sale
17
Information or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing
when the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is
delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; (vi) of the receipt by the Company of any notice of
objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (vii) of the receipt by
the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Securities for
offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use
of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the
Securities and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal
thereof.
(e) Time of Sale Information. If at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall
occur or condition shall exist as a result of which any of the Time of Sale Information as then
amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement any of
the Time of Sale Information to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the
Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with
the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the
Representative may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Information (or
any document to be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference therein) as may be
necessary so that the statements in any of the Time of Sale Information as so amended or
supplemented (including such document to be incorporated by reference therein) will not, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that any of the Time of
Sale Information will comply with law.
(f) Ongoing Compliance. If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event shall occur or
condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would
include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it
is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will immediately
notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file
with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representative may
designate, such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus (or any document to be filed with the
Commission and incorporated by reference therein) as may be necessary so that the statements in the
Prospectus as so amended or supplemented (including such document to be incorporated by reference
therein) will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a
purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law.
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(g) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative shall reasonably request
and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the
Securities; provided that neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors shall be required
to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such
jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent
to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.
(h) Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and
the Representative as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering
a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring
after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.
(i) Clear Market. During the period from the date hereof through and including the date that
is 60 days after the date hereof, the Company and each of the Guarantors will not, without the
prior written consent of the Representative, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of
any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of the Guarantors and having a tenor
of more than one year.
(j) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities
as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus
under the heading “Use of proceeds.”
(k) DTC. The Company will assist the Underwriters in arranging for the Securities to be
eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
(l) No Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors will take, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any
stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.
(m) Record Retention. The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good
faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission
in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.
5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter hereby represents and
agrees that:
(a) It has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the planning
for use of, any “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which
term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not
incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the
Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that, solely as a result of use by such
Underwriter, would not trigger an obligation to file such free writing prospectus with the
19
Commission pursuant to Rule 433, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex
A or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any
electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such Underwriter and
approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in
clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Underwriters may use a term sheet substantially in the form of Annex B
hereto without the consent of the Company.
(b) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with
respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is
initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).
6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to
purchase Securities on the Closing Date as provided herein is subject to the performance by the
Company and each of the Guarantors of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder
and to the following additional conditions:
(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. No order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose, pursuant to Rule
401(g)(2) or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened
by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely
filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with
Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall
have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative.
(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company and
each of the Guarantors contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as
of the Closing Date; and the statements of the Company and each of the Guarantors and their
respective officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and
correct on and as of the Closing Date.
(c) No Downgrade. Subsequent to the earlier of (A) the Time of Sale and (B) the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, the Securities or any other debt securities or preferred stock
issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized
statistical rating organization”, as such term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Section
3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act and (ii) no such organization shall have indicated that it has
under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of the
Securities or of any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company
or any of its subsidiaries (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible
upgrading).
(d) No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
no event or condition of a type described in Section 3(g) hereof shall have occurred or
shall exist, which event or condition is not described in each of the Time of Sale Information
(excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any
20
amendment or supplement thereto) and the effect of which in the judgment of the Representative
makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the
Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale
Information and the Prospectus.
(e) Officers’ Certificate. The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing
Date a certificate of two executive officers of the Company and of each Guarantor who have specific
knowledge of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s financial matters and is satisfactory to the
Representative (i) confirming that such officers have carefully reviewed the Registration
Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and, to the best knowledge of each such
officer, the representations set forth in Sections 3(a), 3(b) and 3(d)
hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the
Company and the Guarantors in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Company and the
Guarantors have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be
performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) to the effect set forth in
paragraphs (b) and (c) above and (iv) that, to the knowledge of each such officer,
the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this
Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date.
(f) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall have furnished to the Representative, at the request of the
Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the
Representative on behalf of the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Representative, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in
accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain
financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries contained or incorporated by reference in
each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus;
provided that the letter delivered on the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date shall
use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to such date.
(g) Reserve Engineer Letters. The Representative shall have received, on each of the date
hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may
be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, from each of the Reserve Engineers,
letters containing statements and information ordinarily included in reserve engineers’ “comfort
letters” with respect to the applicable reserve reports and related information contained or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the
Prospectus.
(h) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. The Representative shall have
received the written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the
Underwriters, from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P., counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, in
substantially the form set forth as Exhibit A and in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters.
(i) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. The Representative shall have
received on and as of the Closing Date an opinion and 10b-5 statement
21
of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the
Representative may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(j) No Legal Impediment to Issuance. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule,
regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign
governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or
sale of the Securities or the issuance of the Guarantees; and no injunction or order of any
federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent
the issuance or sale of the Securities or the issuance of the Guarantees.
(k) Good Standing. The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date
satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and the Guarantors in their respective
jurisdictions of organization and their qualification and good standing in such other jurisdictions
in which the conduct of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ business or ownership or leasing of
property or assets requires such qualification (such jurisdictions being set forth in Schedule
3 hereto opposite the name of each Guarantor), in each case in writing or any standard form of
telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.
(l) Indenture. The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee shall have entered into the
Indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, and the
Representative shall have received a counterpart of the Indenture that shall have been executed and
delivered by the Trustee and a duly authorized officer of the Company and each of the Guarantors.
(m) DTC. The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
(n) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantors
shall have furnished to the Representative such further certificates and documents as the
Representative may reasonably request.
All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company and each of the Guarantors jointly and
severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates who have, or who
are alleged to have, participated in the distribution of Securities, directors and officers and
each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such Underwriter, and the successors and assigns of all the
foregoing persons, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including,
without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or
proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that
arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or any
22
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) or any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in or incorporated by reference in the
Preliminary Prospectus, any of the other Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication
or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any
information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter
through the Representative expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only
such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in
paragraph (b) below.
(b) Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of the Guarantors, each of their respective directors
and officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the
Company or any of the Guarantors (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act) to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a)
above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or
are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the
Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in the
Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any of the other Time of Sale Information, any
Issuer Written Communication or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being
understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the following: the information
contained in the third and fourth sentences of the seventh and ninth paragraphs, respectively,
under the captions “Underwriting” in the Preliminary Prospectus and “Underwriting” in the
Prospectus.
(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in
respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or
(b) above, such person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing;
provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any
liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent
that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses)
by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying
Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise
than under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or
asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof,
the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who
shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to
represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Section 7 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the
fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to
such proceeding, as incurred. In any such
23
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the
Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed in writing to the
contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have
reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in
addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such
proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the
Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate
due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the
Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonably incurred fees and expenses of more than one separate
firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and
expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any
Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter
shall be designated in writing by the Representative and any such separate firm for the Company,
the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers who signed the Registration Statement and
any control persons of the Company and the Guarantors shall be designated in writing by the
Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected
without its written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to
indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified
Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees
and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph (c), the Indemnifying Person
shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i)
such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such
request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in
accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall,
without the written consent of the Indemnified Person (which shall not be unreasonably withheld),
effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified
Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such
Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from
all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any
statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any
Indemnified Person.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and
(b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such
paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by
the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering
of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted
by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above
24
but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before
deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Securities and the total
underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in
each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus as provided in this Agreement,
bear to the aggregate offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company and the
Guarantors on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company or any Guarantor or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access
to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e) Limitation on Liability. The Company, the Guarantors and the Underwriters agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined
by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by
any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result
of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be
deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred
by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions
received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Securities exceeds the amount of
any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in
proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.
(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not
exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any
Indemnified Person at law or in equity.
8. Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the
execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.
9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the
Representative, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
on or prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially
limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices
have been required, on or by any of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or
the over-the-counter market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed
25
by the Company or any of the Guarantors shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any
over-the-counter market; (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance
services in the United States shall have occurred; (iv) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; (v) there shall have
occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any
calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the
Representative, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with
the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by
this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; or (vi) there has been, since the
time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus, any change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, that, in
the judgment of the Representative, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in
the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
10. Defaulting Underwriter.
(a) If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the
Securities that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their
discretion arrange for the purchase of such Securities by other persons satisfactory to the Company
on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any
Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Securities,
then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other
persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Securities on such terms.
If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter,
either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date for up to five
full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or
counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale
Information, the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to
promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale
Information or the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term
“Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise
requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section
10, purchases Securities that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as
provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities that
remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the
Securities, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to
purchase the principal amount of Securities that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder plus
such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the principal amount of Securities that such
Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.
26
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as
provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities that
remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities,
or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this
Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any
termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the
part of the Company or the Guarantors, except that the Company and each of the Guarantors will
continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 11 hereof and
except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in
effect.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may
have to the Company, the Guarantors or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its
default.
11. Payment of Expenses.
(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this
Agreement is terminated, the Company and each of the Guarantors jointly and severally agree to pay
or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of their respective
obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization,
issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any transfer fees or taxes payable
in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the
Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any other Time of Sale
Information, any Issuer Written Communication and the Prospectus (including any exhibit, amendment
or supplement thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and
distributing each of the Transaction Documents; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Company’s and the
Guarantors’ counsel, the independent accountants and reserve engineers; (v) the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for
investment of the Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may
designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the
related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (vi) any fees charged by rating
agencies for rating the Securities; (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent
(including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties); (viii) all expenses and
application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by,
FINRA; (ix) the approval of the Securities for book-entry transfer by DTC; and (x) all expenses
incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors
(including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any
electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics,
fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with
the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers
of the Company and any such consultants; provided that notwithstanding clause (x) above,
the Underwriters shall pay one-half of the lease expenses associated with any airplane which is
used in connection with such “road show” presentations.
27
(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to clauses (ii) or (vi) of
Section 9, (ii) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Securities for delivery to
the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Securities for any reason
permitted under this Agreement, the Company and each of the Guarantors jointly and severally agrees
to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and
expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this
Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.
12. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and any
controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates, officers and directors of each
Underwriter referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall
be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in
respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Securities from any
Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.
13. Survival. The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations,
warranties and agreements of the Company, the Guarantors and the Underwriters contained in this
Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company, the Guarantors or the Underwriters pursuant to
this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and
payment for the Securities and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination
of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company, the Guarantors or the
Underwriters.
14. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise
expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities
Act; (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are
permitted or required to be closed in New York City; and (c) except where otherwise expressly
provided, the term “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
15. Miscellaneous.
(a) Authority of the Representative. Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by X.X. Xxxxxx
Securities LLC shall be binding upon the Underwriters.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of
telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representative c/o X.X. Xxxxxx
Securities LLC, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (fax: (000) 000-0000); Attention:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx. Notices to the Company and the Guarantors shall be given to them at 0000 Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx (fax: (000) 000-0000).
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or
related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York.
28
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts
delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any
consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same
shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
(f) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not
intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
[Signature pages to follow]
29
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your
acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.
Very truly yours, OASIS PETROLEUM INC. |
||||
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
OASIS PETROLEUM LLC OASIS PETROLEUM NORTH AMERICA LLC OASIS PETROLEUM MARKETING LLC OASIS WELL SERVICES LLC |
||||
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
SIGNATURE PAGE TO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Accepted: October 27, 2011
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES LLC
On behalf of itself and each of the several
Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Authorized Signatory | ||||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Schedule 1
Underwriter | Principal Amount | |||
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC |
$ | 172,000,000 | ||
Xxxxx Fargo Securities, LLC |
63,200,000 | |||
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. |
46,800,000 | |||
Xxxxxxx Rice & Company L.L.C. |
21,200,000 | |||
RBS Securities Inc. |
21,200,000 | |||
Xxxxxxx & Company International |
21,200,000 | |||
Tudor, Pickering, Xxxx & Co. Securities, Inc. |
21,200,000 | |||
UBS Securities LLC |
21,200,000 | |||
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. |
12,000,000 | |||
TOTAL: |
$ | 400,000,000 |
Schedule 1
Schedule 2
Guarantors | ||
Name of Subsidiary | Jurisdiction of Organization | |
OASIS PETROLEUM LLC |
Delaware | |
OASIS PETROLEUM NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
Delaware | |
OASIS PETROLEUM MARKETING LLC |
Delaware | |
OASIS WELL SERVICES LLC |
Delaware |
Schedule 2
Schedule 3
Beneficial | ||||||||
Jurisdiction of | Foreign | Ownership by the | ||||||
Subsidiary | Organization | Qualifications | Company | |||||
Oasis Petroleum LLC |
Delaware | Texas | 100 | % | ||||
Oasis Petroleum Xxxxx |
Xxxxxxxx | Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx | 000 | % | ||||
America LLC |
Dakota, South | |||||||
Dakota and Texas | ||||||||
Oasis Petroleum |
Delaware | None | 100 | % | ||||
International LLC |
||||||||
Oasis Petroleum |
Delaware | None | 100 | % | ||||
Columbia LLC |
||||||||
Oasis Petroleum |
Delaware | Montana, North | 100 | % | ||||
Marketing LLC |
Dakota, South | |||||||
Dakota and Texas | ||||||||
Oasis Well Services LLC |
Delaware | Montana, North | 100 | % | ||||
Dakota, South | ||||||||
Dakota and Texas | ||||||||
(assumed name- | ||||||||
Oasis Pumping | ||||||||
Company LLC) |
Schedule 3
ANNEX A
Additional Time of Sale Information
1. Term sheet containing the terms of the Securities, substantially in the form of Annex
B.
Annex A-1
ANNEX B
Pricing Term Sheet
(see attached)
Annex B-1
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus
Filed by: Oasis Petroleum Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act of 1933
Registration Statement on Form S-3: No. 333-175603
Filed by: Oasis Petroleum Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act of 1933
Registration Statement on Form S-3: No. 333-175603
Pricing Term Sheet
Issuer: |
Oasis Petroleum Inc. | |
Security Description: |
Senior Notes | |
Distribution: |
SEC Registered | |
Size: |
$400,000,000 | |
Maturity: |
November 1, 2021 | |
Gross Proceeds: |
$400,000,000 | |
Net Proceeds (before expenses): |
$393,400,000 | |
Coupon: |
6.500% | |
Price: |
100% of face amount | |
Yield to Maturity: |
6.500% | |
Spread to Benchmark Treasury: |
+ 415 bps | |
Benchmark Treasury: |
UST 2.125% due August 15, 2021 | |
Interest Payment Dates: |
November 1 and May 1, beginning May 1, 2012 | |
Change of Control put: |
Putable at 101% of principal, plus accrued | |
and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. | ||
Redemption Provisions: |
||
First call date: |
November 1, 2016 | |
Make-whole call: |
Before the first call date at a discount | |
rate of Treasury plus 50 basis points | ||
Redemption prices: |
Commencing November 1, 2016: 103.250% | |
Commencing November 1, 2017: 102.167% | ||
Commencing November 1, 2018: 101.083% | ||
Commencing November 1, 2019 and thereafter: 100.000% | ||
Redemption with proceeds of |
Prior to November 1, 2014 up to 35% may be redeemed at 106.500% | |
equity offering: |
||
Change of Control call: |
On or prior to January 1, 2013, call at 110% of principal plus accrued interest |
Annex B-2
CUSIP/ISIN Numbers:
|
000000XX0 / US674215AD08 | |
Ratings*:
|
* | |
Denominations/Multiple:
|
$2,000 x 1,000 | |
Trade Date:
|
October 27, 2011 | |
Settlement Date**:
|
(T+10) on November 10, 2011 | |
Underwriters of Senior Notes:
|
Joint Book-Running Managers: | |
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC | ||
Xxxxx Fargo Securities, LLC | ||
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. | ||
Co-Managers: | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Company L.L.C. | ||
RBS Securities Inc. | ||
Xxxxxxx & Company International | ||
Tudor, Pickering, Xxxx & Co. Securities, Inc. | ||
UBS Securities LLC | ||
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. |
* | Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time. | |
** | We expect delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about November 10, 2011, which is the tenth business day following the date of pricing of the notes (such settlement being referred to as “T+10”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on the date of pricing of the notes or the next succeeding six business days will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+10, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement and should consult their own advisers. |
The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and preliminary
prospectus supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before
you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement for this offering, the prospectus
in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more
complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by
visiting XXXXX on the SEC Web site at xxx.xxx.xxx. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or
any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus and prospectus
supplement if you request it by contacting X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC at (000) 000-0000; Xxxxx
Fargo Securities at (000) 000-0000; or BNP PARIBAS at (000) 000-0000.
Additional Information
Offering Size
Oasis Petroleum Inc. has increased the offering of the 6.500% senior notes due 2021 from $300.0
million aggregate principal amount to $400.0 million aggregate principal amount. Corresponding
changes will be made wherever applicable to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, including as
discussed below.
Annex B-3
Summary—Our business strategy
The following disclosure under “Summary—Our business strategy—Maintain financial flexibility and
conservative financial position” on page S-4 of the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and each
other location where such disclosure appears in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement is amended to
read as follows:
“As a result of this offering, we expect to have $1,031.3 million of liquidity available, including
approximately $681.3 million in cash and short-term investments and $350.0 million available under
our revolving credit facility.”
Use of proceeds
The following disclosure under “Use of proceeds” on page S-46 of the Preliminary Prospectus
Supplement and each other location where such disclosure may appear in the Preliminary Prospectus
Supplement is amended to read as follows:
“We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $392.8 million after
deducting the underwriters’ discount and our estimated offering expenses.”
Capitalization
The following numbers in the “As adjusted for this offering” column of the table under
“Capitalization” on page S-47 of the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and each other location
where such disclosure may appear in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement are amended to read as
follows:
As adjusted | ||||
for | ||||
this offering | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments(1) |
$ | 817,744 | ||
Long-term debt: |
||||
Revolving credit facility(2) |
— | |||
7.250% Senior Notes due 2019 |
400,000 | |||
6.500% Senior Notes due 2021 |
400,000 | |||
Total long-term debt |
800,000 | |||
Stockholders’ equity: |
||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares
authorized; 92,450,195 issued and 92,429,600 outstanding
at June 30, 2011 |
921 | |||
Treasury stock, at cost; 20,595 shares |
(559 | ) | ||
Additional paid-in-capital |
645,289 | |||
Retained deficit |
(66,343 | ) | ||
Total stockholders’ equity |
579,308 | |||
Total capitalization |
$ | 1,379,308 | ||
(1) | As of September 30, 2011, we had total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $288.5 million. | |
(2) | On October 6, 2011, we entered into an amendment to our revolving credit facility in order to, among other things, increase the size of the facility from $600 million to $1 billion and increase our borrowing base from $137.5 to $350 million. As of October 25, 2011, we had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility and no outstanding letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility. Please read “Description of other indebtedness.” |
Annex B-4
Underwriting
The following disclosure under “Underwriting” on page S-119 of the Preliminary Prospectus
Supplement is amended to read as follows:
“We estimate that our expenses in connection with the sale of the notes, other than underwriting
discounts and commissions, will be approximately $600,000.”
discounts and commissions, will be approximately $600,000.”
Annex B-5
Exhibit A
Form of Company Counsel Opinion
The following legal opinion points shall be limited to (a) the General Corporation Law and the
Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware and (b) the laws of (i) the State of New
York, (ii) the State of Texas and (iii) the United States of America.
1. The Company is validly existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware. Each of the Guarantors is validly existing as a limited liability company and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. The Company has the corporate power and corporate authority under the laws of the State of
Delaware to (i) execute and deliver, and incur and perform all of its obligations under, the
Underwriting Agreement, the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities
(collectively the “Transaction Documents”) and (ii) carry on its business and own its
properties as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the
Prospectus. Each of the Guarantors has the limited liability company power and authority under the
laws of the State of Delaware to (i) execute and deliver, and to incur and perform all of its
obligations under, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (ii) carry on its business
and own its properties as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and
the Prospectus.
3. Each of the Transaction Documents has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company. Each of the Underwriting Agreement and the Supplemental Indenture has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Guarantors.
4. None of the execution and delivery of, or the incurrence or performance by the Company and
the Guarantors (collectively, the “Obligors”) of their respective obligations under, each
of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, each in accordance with its terms, (A)
constituted, constitutes or will constitute a violation under any provision of the Delaware Limited
Liability Company Act, Delaware General Corporation Law, Regulation T, U or X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the applicable laws of the State of Texas, State of New
York or U. S. federal law, (B) constituted, constitutes or will constitute a violation under the
certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, bylaws, operating agreement or limited
liability company agreement or any other formation or governing document of the Company or the
Guarantors, (C) constituted, constitutes, or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default
(or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under
any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of the Subsidiaries filed as an
exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-175603) or any periodic
or current report filed by the Company prior to Closing (the “Applicable Agreements”), (D)
resulted, results or will result in the creation of any security interest in, or lien upon, any of
the property or assets of any Obligor pursuant to any of the Applicable Agreements, or (E) to such
counsel’s knowledge, resulted, results or will result in the contravention of any judgment, order
or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any
Subsidiary, except for any contravention described in clauses (A) or (C) which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Exhibit A-1
5. No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification or filing with, any
governmental body or agency is required for the execution and delivery by each of the Company and
the Guarantors of, or the performance or incurrence by the Company or the Guarantors of their
respective obligations under, the Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions
thereunder, except (A) as have been or will be obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date,
(B) registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, and qualification of the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”) or (C) where
the failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization, order or qualification would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the
Company and Guarantors to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
6. The statements under the captions “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of
notes” in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, insofar as such statements purport to
summarize the Indenture and the Notes, fairly summarize in all material respects, subject to the
qualifications and assumptions stated therein.
7. The statements in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the caption
“Certain United States federal income tax considerations,” insofar as they refer to statements of
law or legal conclusions, fairly summarize the matters referred to therein in all material
respects, subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated therein.
8. The Indenture constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of the Obligors,
enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, under the laws of the State of New
York, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions; and the
Indenture conforms in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission applicable to an indenture that is qualified
thereunder.
9. When authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided in the Indenture and delivered to
and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, the Securities will
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture
and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, under the laws of the State of
New York, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.
10. When the Securities have been authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided in the
Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the Underwriting
Agreement, the guarantee of the Securities included in the Indenture will constitute a valid and
binding obligation of the Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, under the laws of the State of New York, except as such enforceability may
be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.
11. The Obligors are not, and immediately after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the
Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and the application of proceeds therefrom as
described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, will
Exhibit A-2
not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of said term as used in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
12. In a case properly argued and presented, a Texas court or a United States federal court
sitting in Texas and applying Texas conflict of law principles as set out in Chapter 271 of the
Texas Business and Commerce Code, would give effect to the provisions of the Securities and the
provisions of the Indenture that purport to require that the rights and obligations of the parties
thereto are to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
13. Each of the Registration Statement, as of its most recent effective date, the Preliminary
Prospectus, as of its date, and the Prospectus, as of its date (in each case, other than (i) the
financial statements and related schedules, including the notes and schedules thereto and the
auditor’s report thereon (and any other financial or accounting data derived therefrom) and (ii)
oil and natural gas reserve estimates, in each case included or incorporated or deemed incorporated
by reference in, or excluded from, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or
Prospectus, as to which we express no opinion), appeared on its face to be appropriately responsive
in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of
the Commission thereunder (except that we express no statement or belief as to Regulation S-T).
In addition, we have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of
the Obligors, the independent registered public accounting firm and the reserve engineer for the
Obligors, your counsel and your representatives at which the contents of the Registration
Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed and,
although we have not independently verified and are not passing upon, and do not assume any
responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (except as and to the
extent set forth in paragraphs 6 and 7 above), on the basis of the foregoing (relying as to factual
matters to the extent we deem reasonable upon statements of fact made to us by representatives of
the Obligors), no facts have come to our attention that have led us to believe that (i) the
Registration Statement (including the Incorporated Documents), as of its most recent effective
date, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the
Time of Sale Information (including the Incorporated Documents), as of 3:20 p.m. (Eastern Standard
Time) on October 27, 2011 contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) the Prospectus (including the Incorporated
Documents), as of its date and as of the date hereof, contained or contains an untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, it being
understood that we express no statement or belief with respect to (i) the financial statements and
related schedules, including the notes and schedules thereto and the auditor’s report thereon (and
any other financial or accounting data derived therefrom), (ii) oil and natural gas reserve
estimates, in each case included or incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in, or
excluded from, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or Prospectus and (iii) the
Form T-1 included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Exhibit A-3
Furthermore, we advise you that (i) the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, (ii) the Registration Statement became effective upon filing under Rule
462(e) under the Securities Act on July 15, 2011 and (iii) each of the Preliminary Prospectus and
the Prospectus was filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. In
addition, we have been orally advised by the SEC that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued. To our
knowledge based solely upon such oral communication with the SEC, no proceedings for that purpose
or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act have been instituted or are pending or threatened
by the SEC.
Exhibit A-4