1
EXHIBIT 10.2
[CHASE LOGO]
$500,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of
April 24, 1998
among
R&B FALCON CORPORATION
The Lenders Party Hereto
and
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Administrative Agent
---------------------------
CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,
BANQUE PARIBAS and
CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
as Co-Arrangers
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
ARTICLE II The Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 2.01. Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 2.04. Letters of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 2.05. Funding of Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 2.06. Interest Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 2.07. Termination and Reduction of Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SECTION 2.08. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SECTION 2.09. Prepayment of Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 2.10. Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 2.11. Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
SECTION 2.12. Alternate Rate of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SECTION 2.13. Increased Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SECTION 2.14. Break Funding Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 2.15. Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 2.16. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SECTION 2.17. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.05. Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 3.09. Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 3.10. ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 3.11. Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
ARTICLE IV Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 4.01. Effective Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
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SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 5.09 Subsidiary Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 5.10 L/C Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 6.02. Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 6.05. Hedging Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 6.06. Restricted Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 6.07. Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 6.08. Restrictive Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 6.09 Tangible Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 6.10 EBITDA Leverage Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 6.11 Sale of Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 6.12 Amendments to Material Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
ARTICLE VII Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SECTION 9.01. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 9.05. Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 9.07. Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 9.11. Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SCHEDULES:
Schedule 2.01 -- Commitments
Schedule 3.06 -- Disclosed Matters
Schedule 6.01 -- Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 -- Existing Liens
Schedule 6.08 -- Existing Restrictions
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EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A -- Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B -- Form of Opinion of Borrower's Counsel
Exhibit C -- Form of Note
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CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of April 24, 1998, among R&B FALCON
CORPORATION, the LENDERS party hereto, and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
Administrative Agent.
The parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings specified below:
"ABR", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers
to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
"Adjusted LIBO Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar
Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards,
if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such
Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
"Administrative Agent" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, in its
capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
"Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative
Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, another
Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person
specified.
"Agreement" means this Credit Agreement as the same may from
time to time be amended or supplemented.
"Alternate Base Rate" means, for any day, a rate per annum
equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day or (b) the
Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. Any change
in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal
Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date
of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate,
respectively.
"Applicable Percentage" means, with respect to any Lender, the
percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender's Commitment.
If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall
be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect
to any assignments.
"Applicable Rate" means, for any day, with respect to any ABR
Loan, Eurodollar Revolving Loan, or with respect to the facility fees payable
hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below
under the caption "ABR Spread", "Eurodollar Spread" or "Facility Fee Rate", as
the case may be, based upon the ratings by Xxxxx'x and S&P, respectively,
applicable on such date to the Index Debt:
6
===========================================================================================
ABR Eurodollar Facility Fee
--- ---------- ------------
Index Debt Ratings: Spread Spread Rate
------------------ ------ ------ ----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 1 0.0 0.200 0.175
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 2 0.0 0.300 0.200
----------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 3 0.0 0.400 0.225
----------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 4 0.0 0.500 0.250
----------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 5 0.0 0.750 0.250
----------
===========================================================================================
For purposes of the foregoing, (i) if either Xxxxx'x or S&P
shall not have in effect a rating for the Index Debt (other than by reason of
the circumstances referred to in the last sentence of this definition), then
such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a rating in Category 5;
(ii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by Xxxxx'x
and S&P for the Index Debt shall fall within different Categories, the
Applicable Rate shall be based on the lower of the two ratings; and (iii) if
the ratings established or deemed to have been established by Xxxxx'x and S&P
for the Index Debt shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the
rating system of Xxxxx'x or S&P), such change shall be effective as of the date
on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency. Each change in
the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective
date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective
date of the next such change. If the rating system of Xxxxx'x or S&P shall
change, or if either such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of
rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate
in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or
the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the
effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by
reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or
cessation.
"Category 1" means BBB+ or higher by S&P and Baa1 or higher by
Xxxxx'x.
"Category 2" means BBB by S&P and Baa2 by Xxxxx'x.
"Category 3" means BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Xxxxx'x.
"Category 4" means BB+ by S&P and Ba1 by Xxxxx'x.
"Category 5" means BB or lower by S&P and Ba2 or lower by
Xxxxx'x.
"Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance
entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose
consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent,
in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative
Agent.
"Availability Period" means the period from and including the
Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date
of termination of the Commitments.
"Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System of the United States of America.
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"Bonds" means the Senior Unsecured Notes issued pursuant to
the Indenture.
"Borrower" means R&B Falcon Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.
"Borrowing" means Revolving Loans of the same Type, made,
converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans,
as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
"Borrowing Request" means a request by the Borrower for a
Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required
by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a
Eurodollar Loan, the term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which
banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank
market.
"Capital Lease Obligations" of any Person means the
obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or
other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP,
and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof
determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Change in Control" means (a) the acquisition of ownership,
directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group
(within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof)
of shares representing more than 30% of the aggregate ordinary voting power
represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower; (b)
occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of
directors of the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the
board of directors of the Borrower nor (ii) appointed by directors so
nominated; or (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Borrower
by any Person or group.
"Change in Law" means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or
regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or
regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or
the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.13(b), by any lending office of
such Lender or by such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company, if any)
with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this
Agreement.
"Co-Arranger" means any of Chase Securities Inc., Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation, Banque Paribas, and Christiania Bank.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time.
"Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the
commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations
in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum
aggregate amount that such Lender's Revolving Credit Exposure could be
hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to
Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to
assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount
of each Lender's Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment
and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment,
as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders' Commitments is
$500,000,000.
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"Consolidated Net Income" shall mean with respect to the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of
the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
after allowances for taxes for such period, determined on a consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net
income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (i) the net
income of any Person in which the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary has
an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person
to be consolidated with the net income of the Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of
dividends or distributions actually paid in such period by such other Person to
the Borrower or to a Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be; (ii) the net
income (but not loss) of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the extent that the
declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or
loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation
of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental
Requirement applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary, or is otherwise
restricted or prohibited in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (iii)
the net income (or loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling-of-interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such transaction; (iv) any
extraordinary gains, including gains attributable to property sales not in the
ordinary course of business; and (v) the cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principles and any gains or losses attributable to writeups or
writedowns of assets; and further provided that there shall be added to such
net income (to the extent otherwise deducted therefrom) any extraordinary
losses.
"Consolidated Subsidiaries" shall mean each Subsidiary of the
Borrower (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial
statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the
financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.
"Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise. "Controlling" and "Controlled" have meanings correlative thereto.
"Default" means any event or condition which constitutes an
Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless
cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
"Deepwater Pathfinder" means the drillship being constructed
for a joint venture on the date of this Agreement in which the Borrower
indirectly owns a 50% interest.
"Deepwater Frontier" means the drillship being constructed for
a joint venture on the date of this Agreement in which the Borrower indirectly
owns a 60% interest.
"Disclosed Matters" means the actions, suits and proceedings
and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.
"dollars" or "$" refers to lawful money of the United States
of America.
"Drillship III" means the drillship being constructed for a
wholly-owned subsidiary on the date of this Agreement.
"EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, the sum of Consolidated
Net Income for such period plus the following expenses or charges to the extent
deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion and amortization.
"Effective Date" means the date on which the conditions
specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section
9.02).
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"Environmental Laws" means all laws, rules, regulations,
codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding
agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority,
relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural
resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Material or to health and safety matters.
"Environmental Liability" means any liability, contingent or
otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental
remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of
any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation,
storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any
Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other
consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with
respect to any of the foregoing.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer
under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302
of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under
Section 414 of the Code.
"ERISA Event" means (a) any "reportable event", as defined in
Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a
Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b)
the existence with respect to any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency"
(as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not
waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d)
of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with
respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA
Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the
termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to
terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f)
the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability
with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or
Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal
Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to
be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
"Eurodollar", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing,
refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are
bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
"Event of Default" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Article VII.
"Excluded Taxes" means, with respect to the Administrative
Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be
made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income
or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United
States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such
recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the
case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any
branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax
imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in
the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by
the Borrower under Section 2.17(b) unless such assignee so agrees in writing),
any
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withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at
the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a
new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender's failure to
comply with Section 2.15(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or
its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending
office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with
respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.15(a).
"Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any day, the
weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of
the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next
succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such
rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for
such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three
Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
"Financial Officer" means the chief financial officer,
principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
"Financing Documents" shall mean this Agreement, together with
any other note, document, instrument or agreement (other than participation,
agency or similar agreements among the Lenders or between any Lender and any
other bank or creditor with respect to any indebtedness or obligations of the
Borrower hereunder) now or hereafter entered into in connection with the Loans
or the Indebtedness incurred hereunder, as such documents, instruments or
agreements may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
"Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the
laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For
purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof
and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single
jurisdiction.
"Funded Debt" of any Person means, without duplication, (a)
all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all
Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (d) all Hedging Obligations of such
Person, (e) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an
account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (f) all
obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers'
acceptances and (g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
guaranteeing, indemnifying or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any of
the above described Funded Debt of another Person. The Funded Debt of any
Person shall include the Funded Debt of any other entity (including any
partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such
Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person's ownership interest in or
other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such
Funded Debt provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Funded Debt shall
expressly exclude Permitted Project Debt.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America.
"Governmental Authority" means the government of the United
States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof,
whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory
body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or
pertaining to government.
"Governmental Requirement" shall mean any law, statute, code,
ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree,
injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other
directive or requirement (whether or not having the force of law), including,
without
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limitation, Environmental Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and
health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.
"Guarantee" of or by any Person (the "guarantor") means any
obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having
the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect,
(a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or
supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to
purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring
the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c)
to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement
condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party
in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such
Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
"Hazardous Materials" means all explosive or radioactive
substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other
pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos
containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or
medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated
pursuant to any Environmental Law.
"Hedging Agreement" means any interest rate protection
agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection
agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price
hedging arrangement.
"Hedging Obligations" of any person means the net obligation
(not the notional amount) of such Person pursuant to any Hedging Agreement.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a)
all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits
or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person
upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such
Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to
property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect
of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current
accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all
Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness
has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on
property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness
secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of
Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i)
all Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person, (j) all Hedging Obligations of
such Persons, (k) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as
an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and
(j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of
bankers' acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the
Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such
Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a
result of such Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such
entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such
Person is not liable therefor.
"Indemnified Taxes" means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture dated April __, 1998,
between the Borrower, as Issuer, and Chase Bank of Texas, National Association,
as Trustee, providing for the issuance of
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$1,100,000,000 of Senior Unsecured Notes and all renewals, extensions and
modifications permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
"Index Debt" means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness
for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other Person
or subject to any other credit enhancement.
"Information Memorandum" means the Confidential Information
Memorandum dated March, 1998, relating to the Borrower and the Transactions.
"Interest Election Request" means a request by the Borrower to
convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06.
"Interest Payment Date" means (a) with respect to any ABR
Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December, and (b) with
respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable
to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar
Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months' duration, each day
prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three
months' duration after the first day of such Interest Period.
"Interest Period" means with respect to any Eurodollar
Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on
the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three
or, as available, six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided,
that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day,
such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month,
in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day
and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a
calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day
in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last
Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes
hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such
Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent
conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
"Issuing Bank" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, in its capacity
as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such
capacity as provided in Section 2.04(i). The Issuing Bank may, in its
discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by
Affiliates of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term "Issuing Bank" shall
include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such
Affiliate.
"LC Disbursement" means a payment made by the Issuing Bank
pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
"LC Exposure" means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the
aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by
or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at
any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such
time.
"Lenders" means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any
other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment
and Acceptance, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto
pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.
"Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit issued pursuant
to this Agreement.
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"LIBO Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing
for any Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate
Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any
successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as
determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of
providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the
London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business
Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar
deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that
such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the "LIBO Rate"
with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the
rate at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to
such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the
Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank
market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage,
deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security
interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor
under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention
agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect
as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of
securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with
respect to such securities.
"Loans" means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower
pursuant to this Agreement.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on
(a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or
otherwise, of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the
ability of the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement.
"Material Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (other than the
Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging
Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an
aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining
Material Indebtedness, the "principal amount" of the obligations of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time
shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements)
that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging
Agreement were terminated at such time.
"Maturity Date" means April 24, 2002 or such later date as
such date may be extended pursuant to Section 2.07(d).
"Moody's" means Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a multiemployer plan as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"Other Taxes" means any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred
to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
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"Permitted Encumbrances" means:
(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet due or are
being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
repairmen's, maritime and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the
ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by
more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of
business in compliance with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and
other social security laws or regulations;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance
bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary
course of business;
(e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not
constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII;
(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar
encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course
of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially
detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary
conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and
(g) any interest or title of a lessor or charterer under any
lease or charter between the Borrower and any Subsidiary or between any of its
Subsidiaries or as otherwise permitted hereunder;
provided that the term "Permitted Encumbrances" shall not include any Lien
securing Indebtedness.
"Permitted Investments" means:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of
and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of
America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days
from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition,
the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody's;
(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker's
acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of
acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market
deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial
bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State
thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not
less than $500,000,000; and
(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of
not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered
into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause
(c) above.
"Permitted Project Debt" means Indebtedness (including,
without limitation or duplication, the Guarantee of any such Indebtedness by
the Borrower) incurred in connection with the construction of Deepwater
Pathfinder, Deepwater Frontier and Drillship III by the respective joint
venture or Subsidiary
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owning such vessel not to exceed $375,000,000 in the aggregate and all
extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness by the primary
obligor thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof.
"Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited
liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership,
Governmental Authority or other entity.
"Plan" means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section
412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under
Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5)
of ERISA.
"Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly
announced from time to time by The Chase Manhattan Bank as its prime rate in
effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate
shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly
announced as being effective.
"Prior Indebtedness" means the Funded Debt of the Borrower on
the date of this Agreement, excluding the Indebtedness created under this
Agreement and the Indebtedness evidenced by the Bonds.
"Register" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
"Related Parties" means, with respect to any specified Person,
such Person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.
"Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having
Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing at least 51% of
the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such
time.
"Restricted Payment" means any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any shares of
any class of capital stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment
(whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or
similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement,
acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such shares of capital stock of
the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares
of capital stock of the Borrower.
"Revolving Credit Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender
at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender's
Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure at such time.
"Revolving Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.03.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's.
"Statutory Reserve Rate" means a fraction (expressed as a
decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which
is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages
(including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed
as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is
subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for Eurocurrency funding
(currently referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in Regulation D of the
Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such
Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency
funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or
credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time
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to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation.
The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the
effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
"subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person (the "parent")
at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with
those of the parent in the parent's consolidated financial statements if such
financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as
well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership
interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the
ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the
general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held,
or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or
more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries
of the parent.
"Subsidiary" means any subsidiary of the Borrower.
"Synthetic Lease Obligations" of any Person means the
aggregate obligations of such Person under each lease or a guaranty of such
lease which requires such Person to make payments of rent or other amounts over
the term of such lease, including payments at termination, which are more than
seventy percent (70%) but less than ninety percent (90%) of the purchase price
of the Property subject to such lease but excluding interest at an imputed rate
of interest.
"Tangible Net Worth" means without duplication in accordance
with GAAP the sum of (i) the total amount of capital stock of the Borrower,
(ii) preferred stock, (iii) paid-in capital, and (iv) retained earnings minus
the sum of (i) patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks,
copyrights, and trade names and (ii) goodwill and all other intangibles.
"Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any
Governmental Authority.
"Transactions" means the execution, delivery and performance
by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents, the
borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters
of Credit hereunder.
"Type", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing,
refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising
such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the
Alternate Base Rate.
"Withdrawal Liability" means liability to a Multiemployer Plan
as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan,
as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For
purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type
(e.g., a "Eurodollar Loan"). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to
by Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Borrowing").
SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms
herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the
corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words "include",
"includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase
"without limitation". The word "will" shall be construed to have the same
meaning and effect as the word "shall". Unless the context requires otherwise
(a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other
document herein shall be construed
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as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to
time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions
on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any
reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's
successors and assigns, (c) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder", and
words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its
entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein
to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to
Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e)
the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to have the same meaning
and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and
properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall
be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided
that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower
requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any
change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on
the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the
Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof
for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or
after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision
shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately
before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have
been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE II
The Credits
SECTION 2.01. Commitments. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the
Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate
principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender's Revolving Credit
Exposure exceeding such Lender's Commitment or (b) the sum of the total
Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Commitments. Within the
foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the
Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.
SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Revolving Loan
shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans made by the
Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure
of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any
other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the
Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender's
failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Subject to Section 2.12, each Borrowing shall be
comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request
in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan
by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make
such Loan in accordance with this Agreement; provided that any exercise of such
option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any
Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000 At the time that
each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that
is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000; provided
that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire
unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance the
reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(e).
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Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided
that there shall not at any time be more than a total of nine (9) Eurodollar
Borrowings outstanding.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or
continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto
would end after the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings. To request a
Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request
by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00
a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed
Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the Business Day of the proposed Borrowing. Each such
telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed
promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written
Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by
the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify
the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar
Borrowing;
(iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be
applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of
the term "Interest Period"; and
(v) the location and number of the Borrower's account to which funds are to
be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested
Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with
respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be
deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month's duration. Promptly
following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the
Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the
amount of such Lender's Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
SECTION 2.04. Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to
the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the
issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account, in a form reasonably
acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and
from time to time during the Availability Period. In the event of any
inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms
and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement
submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the Issuing
Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this
Agreement shall control.
(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension;
Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the
amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the
Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic
communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing
Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance
of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice
requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of
Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension
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(which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to
expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of
such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such
other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such
Letter of Credit. If requested by the Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall
submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank's standard form in
connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall
be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment,
renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to
represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment,
renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $50,000,000 and (ii)
the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total Commitments.
(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at
or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after
the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any
renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and
(ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.
(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit
(or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and
without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the
Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from
the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such
Lender's Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn
under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the
foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to
the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender's
Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not
reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this
Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the
Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its
obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of
Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by
any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of
any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or
reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall
be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
(e) Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC
Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse
such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to
such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date
that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice
of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date,
or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on
such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on (i) the
Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received
prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the
Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such
notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of
receipt; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than $5,000,000 the
Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request
in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR
Borrowing in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the
Borrower's obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by
the resulting ABR Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when
due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC
Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and
such Lender's Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of
such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable
Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as
provided in Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section
2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders),
and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts
so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the
Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this
paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such
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payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments
pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders
and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a
Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC
Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans as contemplated
above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its
obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligation to
reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall
be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances
whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of
any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii)
any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be
forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being
untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a
Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does
not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or
circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that
might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable
discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower's obligations
hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Bank,
nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by
reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of
Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective
of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any
error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any
draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit
(including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in
interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond
the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be
construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the
extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in
respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by
applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank's
failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents
presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties
hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or wilful
misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised
care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without
limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to
documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance
with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole
discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without
responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or
information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such
documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such
Letter of Credit.
(g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall,
promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to
represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank
shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone
(confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank
has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure
to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its
obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any
such LC Disbursement.
(h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC
Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in
full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall
bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is
made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC
Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans;
provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due
pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.11(c) shall apply.
Interest
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accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing
Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any
Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank
shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(i) Replacement of the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank may be
replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of
the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the
Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced
Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.10(b). From and after the effective date of
any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights
and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to
Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the
term "Issuing Bank" shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any
previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as
the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder,
the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to
have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement
with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but
shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
(j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall
occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice
from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of
the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing at least
51% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant
to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the
Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the
benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such
date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation
to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such
deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other
notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to
the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. Such deposit shall
be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and
performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The
Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the
exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest
earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at
the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the
Borrower's risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest
or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.
Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to
reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been
reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the
satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC
Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated
(but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing at least
51% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the
Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an
amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event
of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be
returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default
have been cured or waived.
SECTION 2.05. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall
make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire
transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to
the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such
purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans
available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in
like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative
Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrower in the applicable
Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the
reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.04(e) shall be
remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank.
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(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received
notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such
Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's share
of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has
made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this
Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact
made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative
Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to
the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with
interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made
available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the
Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the
Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent
in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in
the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such
Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall
constitute such Lender's Loan included in such Borrowing.
SECTION 2.06. Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing
initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request
and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest
Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may
elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such
Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest
Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect
different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing,
in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders
holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such
portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the
Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by
the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the
Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election
to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic
Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly
by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest
Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by
the Borrower.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request
shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if
different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof,
the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case
the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall
be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest
Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a
Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period
to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a
period contemplated by the definition of the term "Interest Period".
If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does
not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have
selected an Interest Period of one month's duration.
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(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election
Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details
thereof and of such Lender's portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest
Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid
as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be
converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof,
if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative
Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then,
so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may
be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid,
each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of
the Interest Period applicable thereto.
SECTION 2.07. Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a)
Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity
Date.
(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to
time reduce, the Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the
Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $10,000,000
and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after
giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with
Section 2.09, the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total
Commitments.
(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any
election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this
Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such
termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date
thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent
shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the
Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice
of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such
notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in
which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the
Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such
condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments
shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably
among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.
(d) The Borrower may request up to three (3) one-year
extensions of the Maturity Date by requesting such extension in writing and
delivering such request to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders not sooner
than 120 days nor later than 60 days before each yearly anniversary of the date
of this Agreement, commencing with the first such anniversary date occurring in
the year 2001. To be effective, all of the Lenders must consent to such
extension by not later than 30 days after receipt of such extension request,
which consent may be withheld in each Lender's sole discretion. If any Lender
has not responded to such request in writing within 30 days after receipt of
the written request of the Borrower, such failure shall be deemed a denial of
said request.
SECTION 2.08. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The
Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving
Loan on the Maturity Date.
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual
practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to
such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts
of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time
hereunder.
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(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which
it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof
and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or
interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each
Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative
Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender's share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to
paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the
existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the
failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or
any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower
to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced
by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and
deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender
(or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns)
and in a form substantially in accordance with Exhibit C. Thereafter, the
Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times
(including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or
more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named
therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and
its registered assigns).
SECTION 2.09. Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall
have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in
whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this Section.
(b) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by
telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case
of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York
City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the
case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable
and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each
Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of
prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of
the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.07, then such notice of prepayment
may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with
Section 2.07. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a
Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents
thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that
would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type
as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied
ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be
accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.11.
Prepayments of Eurodollar Borrowings are subject to Section 2.14 for break
funding payments.
SECTION 2.10. Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee, which shall
accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the Commitment of such
Lender (whether used or unused) during the period from and including the date
of this Agreement to but excluding the date on which such Commitment
terminates; provided that, if such Lender continues to have any Revolving
Credit Exposure after its Commitment terminates, then such facility fee shall
continue to accrue on the daily amount of such Lender's Revolving Credit
Exposure from and including the date on which its Commitment terminates to but
excluding the date on which such Lender ceases to have any Revolving Credit
Exposure. Accrued facility fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of
March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the
Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the
date hereof; provided that any facility fees accruing after the date on which
the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. All facility fees shall
be
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computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual
number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative
Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its
participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable
Rate as interest on Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of
such Lender's LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to
unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the
Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender's
Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC
Exposure; provided that the participation fee with respect to all Lenders for
any Letter of Credit shall not be less than $500, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank
a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 1/8 of 1% per annum on the
average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof
attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and
including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of
termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC
Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank's standard fees with respect to the
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing
of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through
and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year
shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing
on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all
such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and
any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall
be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to
this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation
fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and
shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day
but excluding the last day).
(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent,
for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately
agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates
due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the
Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case
of facility fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not
be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 2.11. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR
Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable
Rate.
(b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear
interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such
Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or
interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower
hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration
or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before
judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of
any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in
the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other
amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a)
of this Section.
(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears
on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, upon termination of the
Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of
this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or
prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior
to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal
amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment
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or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar
Revolving Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor,
accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such
conversion.
(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of
a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate
Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate
shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap
year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate
Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the
Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent
manifest error.
SECTION 2.12. Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the
commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and
reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate
or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required
Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not
adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of
making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such
Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the
Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and,
until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the
circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest
Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or
continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective
and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such
Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances
giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other
Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.
SECTION 2.13. Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law
shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special
deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for
the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such
reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or the
Issuing Bank; or
(ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London
interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or
Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or
participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such
Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its
obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or the
Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit
or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the
Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the
Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing
Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction
suffered.
(b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any
Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or the Issuing
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Bank's capital or on the capital of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding
company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or
participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of
Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or
the Issuing Bank or such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company could
have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such
Lender's or the Issuing Bank's policies and the policies of such Lender's or
the Issuing Bank's holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from
time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the
case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender
or the Issuing Bank or such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company for
any such reduction suffered.
(c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting
forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing
Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a)
or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be
conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the
Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing
Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a
waiver of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's right to demand such
compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a
Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or
reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or
the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in
Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's or
the Issuing Bank's intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further
that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is
retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to
include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
SECTION 2.14. Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a)
the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day
of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of
Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day
of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert,
continue or prepay any Revolving Loan on the date specified in any notice
delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked
under Section 2.09(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the
assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 2.17, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each
Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case
of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed
to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i)
the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such
Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have
been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the
last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a
failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the
Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would
accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such
Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar
deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar
market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that
such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered
to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower
shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10
days after receipt thereof.
SECTION 2.15. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by or on
account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and
clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes;
provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes
or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased
as necessary so that after making all
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required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable
under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the
case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no
such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and
(iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant
Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to
the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent,
each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor,
for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on
or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the
Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or
asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any
penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or
legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the
Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its
own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive
absent manifest error.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower
shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a
receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy
of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from
or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the
Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with
respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a
copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by
applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed
by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such
payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.
SECTION 2.16. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing
of Set-offs. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by
it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC
Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.13, 2.14 or 2.15, or
otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due, in
immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts
received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the
Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding
Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments
shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank as
expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.13,
2.14, 2.15 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.
The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for
the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following
receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a
Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest
thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments
hereunder shall be made in dollars.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and
available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal,
unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due
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hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest
and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in
accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and
(ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements
then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance
with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to
such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off
or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or
interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements
resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the
aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements
and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender,
then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at
face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC
Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of
all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the
aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective
Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements; provided that (i) if
any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment
giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and
the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest,
and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to
any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express
terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration
for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or
participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than
to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the
provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the
foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable
law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing
arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and
counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were
a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received
notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank
hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative
Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in
accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to
the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such
event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the
Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to
the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such
Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including
the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment
to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate
and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking
industry rules on interbank compensation.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to
be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(d) or (e), 2.05(b) or 2.16(d), then the
Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary
provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative
Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender's obligations under
such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
SECTION 2.17. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if the Borrower
is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental
Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such
Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for
funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations
hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the
judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or
reduce amounts
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payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future and
(ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and
would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby
agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in
connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13,
or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or
any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section
2.15, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then
the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender
and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate,
without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained
in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this
Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may
be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the
Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent (and, if a Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank), which consent
shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received
payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and
participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and
all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of
such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in
the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment
resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13 or payments required
to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will result in a reduction
in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any
such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by
such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require
such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. Each of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the
failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business
in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is
required.
SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The
Transactions are within the Borrower's corporate powers and have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable
in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally
and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law.
SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The
Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or
filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as
have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not
violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other
organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a
default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
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its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be
made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse
Change. (a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its
consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and
cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, reported on
by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP, independent public accountants. Such financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and
results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP.
(b) Since December 31, 1997, there has been no material
adverse change in the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition,
financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
SECTION 3.05. Properties. (a) Each of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real
and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in
title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as
currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.
(b) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is
licensed to use, all trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and other
intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other
Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a)
There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or
Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower,
threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as
to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and
that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in
the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed
Matters) or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.
(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect
to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any
Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or
other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to
any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with
respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any
Environmental Liability.
(c) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no
change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the
aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations
and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and
all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its
property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No
Default has occurred and is continuing.
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SECTION 3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status. Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an "investment company" as
defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940
or (b) a "holding company" as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
SECTION 3.09. Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports
required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes
required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b)
to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is
reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such
ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present
value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the
assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements
reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value
of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all accumulated benefit
obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for
purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of
the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts,
exceed by more than $10,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of all such
underfunded Plans.
SECTION 3.11. Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the
Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to
which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to
it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Information Memorandum nor
any of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other
information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative
Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or
delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so
furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact 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; provided that, with
respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that
such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to
be reasonable at the time.
ARTICLE IV
Conditions
SECTION 4.01. Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders
to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder
shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following
conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have
received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement
signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed
signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of
this Agreement.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable
written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and
dated the Effective Date) of Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxx or
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, counsel for the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit
B, and covering such other matters relating to the Borrower, this Agreement or
the Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request. The
Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received such
documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may
reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of
the Borrower, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters
relating to the Borrower, this Agreement or the Transactions, all in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a
certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice
President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with
the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and
other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to
the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses
required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.
(f) The Bonds shall have been or shall be concurrently issued
in an amount of one billion one hundred million dollars ($1,100,000,000). All
Prior Indebtedness, except for the Prior Indebtedness set forth on Schedule
6.01, shall be concurrently refinanced with the proceeds of the initial Loans
and the Bonds and releases of the Liens securing the Prior Indebtedness shall
have been executed by the appropriate Persons and delivered to the
Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the
Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and
of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become
effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived
pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on May
31, 1998 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the
Commitments shall terminate at such time).
SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each
Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank
to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower set
forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such
Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such
Letter of Credit, as applicable.
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to
such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter
of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter
of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the
Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this Section.
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ARTICLE V
Affirmative Covenants
Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall
have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or
terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower
covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information.
The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such
year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of
recognized national standing (without a "going concern" or like qualification
or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such
audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly
in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
(b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three
fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its consolidated balance
sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows
as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of
the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for
the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet,
as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its
Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial
condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of
footnotes;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements
under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the
Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default
has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed
to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed
calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.09, 6.10 and 6.11 and
(iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has
occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in
Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of
such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;
(d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements
under clause (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on
such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the
course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default (which
certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or
guidelines);
(e) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies
of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said
Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the
Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;
(f) as soon as available and in any event within 60 days
after the end of the first three fiscal quarters of the Borrower and within 90
days after the end of the fourth fiscal quarter, a report (in form
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satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) detailing (i)(A) the then current
location of each of the offshore drilling rigs owned or leased by the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, (B) the then current term of and parties to any contract
of any such offshore drilling rig, and (C) the then current day rate with
respect to any such contract and (ii) for the previous fiscal quarter, the
average day rates and utilization for each such offshore drilling rig;
(g) not more than 60 days after the commencement of each
fiscal year of the Borrower, a forecast which includes an income statement,
balance sheet and cash flow statement of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
each of the four fiscal quarters of such fiscal year, including, a breakdown of
revenues, operating expenses, utilizations and consolidated capital expenditure
assumptions for each offshore drilling rig owned or leased by the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries; and
(h) promptly following any request therefor, such other
information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this
Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will
furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of
the following:
(a) the occurrence of any Default;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or
affecting the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined,
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together
with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to
result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount
exceeding $10,000,000;
(d) any notices sent to the holders of the Bonds or to the
trustee under the Indenture, including without limitation, any notice of a
default under the Indenture; and
(e) any other development that results in, or could
reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth
the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action
taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal
existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material
to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit
any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section
6.03.
SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax
liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect
before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the
validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books
adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and
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(c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and
maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working
order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with
financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts
and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in
the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.
SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of
record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any
representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon
reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and
make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances
and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such
reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules,
regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its
property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The
proceeds of the Loans will be used only for working capital and general
corporate requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. No part of the
proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any
purpose that entails a violation of any law, rule or regulation of any
Governmental Authority, including the Regulations of the Board, including
Regulations G, U and X. Letters of Credit will be issued only to support the
general corporate requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 5.09 Subsidiary Guarantee. If any Subsidiary is
required to Guarantee any Indebtedness other than the existing Guarantees
described in Schedule 6.01, the Borrower shall promptly cause such Subsidiary
to execute a guaranty agreement guaranteeing the Indebtedness under this
Agreement for the benefit of the Lenders in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent; provided that the Borrower shall cause the Guarantees
described as items 17, 18, 19 and 20 on Schedule 6.01 to be released or
Guarantees of the Borrower to be substituted for such Guarantees on or before
June 30, 1998.
SECTION 5.10 L/C Facility. The Borrower shall cause the
letter of credit facility described as item 11 on Schedule 6.01 to be
transferred to the Borrower and all Subsidiaries released from any obligation
thereunder on or before June 30, 1998.
ARTICLE VI
Negative Covenants
Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been
paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated and all LC
Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees
with the Lenders that:
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SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any
Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness created hereunder;
(b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in
Schedule 6.01 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such
Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;
(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any
Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;
(d) Permitted Project Debt: and
(e) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding $30,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that the aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower's Subsidiaries permitted by
this clause (d) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.
SECTION 6.02. Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on
any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell
any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of
any thereof, except:
(a) Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided
that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those
obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and
replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount
thereof;
(c) any Lien on the Deepwater Pathfinder, Deepwater Frontier,
and Drillship III and on the equity of the entity that owns such vessel to
secure the respective Permitted Project Debt incurred to construct such vessel;
and
(d) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, leased,
constructed or improved by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i)
such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section
6.01 but the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness secured shall not
exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding, (ii) such security interests and
the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 90 days after
such acquisition or lease or the completion of such construction or
improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the
cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and
(iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of
the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes. (a) The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any
other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it,
or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a
series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets, or any of the
stock of or voting rights with respect to any of its Subsidiaries (in each
case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve,
except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto
no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Subsidiary may merge
into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the
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surviving corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary may merge into any Subsidiary in a
transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary, (iii) any Subsidiary
may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to the Borrower or
to another Subsidiary, (iv) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the
Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in
the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the
Lenders; provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly
owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted and
(v) the Borrower may merge with another Person if (A) the Borrower is the
successor or survivor of such merger transaction and (B) Xxxxx'x and S&P shall
have affirmed in writing that such transaction will not impair the Borrower's
implied senior debt rating as such debt rating is in effect immediately prior
to the announcement of such merger transaction.
(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than
businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the
date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.
SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and
Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire any capital stock, evidences of
indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right
to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or
advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any
investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise
acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any
other Person constituting a business unit, except:
(a) Permitted Investments;
(b) investments by the Borrower or by any Subsidiary in the
capital stock of its Subsidiaries;
(c) loans or advances made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary
and made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; and
(d) investments by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary, in the
aggregate not to exceed 10% of the Borrower's consolidated Tangible Net Worth.
SECTION 6.05. Hedging Agreements. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedging Agreement,
other than Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business
to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is exposed
in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.
SECTION 6.06. Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to
pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (a) the
Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its capital stock
payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, (b) Subsidiaries may
declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their capital stock and (c)
the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with
stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 6.07. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or
otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise
acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other
transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of
business at prices and on terms and conditions not less
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favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an
arm's-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or
among the Borrower and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries not involving any other
Affiliate and (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.06.
SECTION 6.08. Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter
into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that
prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon
any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay
dividends or other distributions with respect to any shares of its capital
stock or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and
conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement, (ii) the foregoing shall not
apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof and contained
in the Indenture or identified on Schedule 6.08 (but shall apply to any
extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope
of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to
customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the
sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and
conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is
permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to
restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured
Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions
apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness and (v) clause
(a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and
other contracts restricting the assignment thereof.
SECTION 6.09 Tangible Net Worth. The Borrower will not
permit at any time its Tangible Net Worth to be less than $600,000,000 plus (i)
50% of its cumulative Consolidated Net Income, if positive, for the period from
April 1, 1998 through the date of calculation, plus (ii) 100% of any equity
issued by the Borrower after the date of this Agreement.
SECTION 6.10 EBITDA Leverage Ratio. The Borrower will not
permit its EBITDA Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the
Borrower (calculated quarterly at the end of each fiscal quarter) to be greater
than the amount set forth in the table below on the applicable date. For the
purposes of this Section 6.10, "EBITDA Leverage Ratio" shall mean the ratio of
(i) difference of Funded Debt minus cash and cash equivalents of the Borrower
on a consolidated basis to (i) EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters ending on
such date; provided that (A) EBITDA for the period ending on June 30, 1998
shall equal the product of EBITDA for the six-month period ending on such date
times 2 and (B) EBITDA for the period ending on September 30, 1998 shall equal
the product of EBITDA for the nine-month period ending on such date times 1.33.
------------------------------------------------------
Period EBITDA Leverage Ratio
------------------------------------------------------
6/30/98 thru 6/30/99 3.00x
------------------------------------------------------
7/1/99 thru 12/31/99 2.50x
------------------------------------------------------
1/1/00 and thereafter 2.00x
------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 6.11 Sale of Properties. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, assign, convey or otherwise transfer
any properties or assets except for (i) the sale of inventory in the ordinary
course of business; (ii) the sale or transfer of equipment or other property or
assets that is no longer necessary for the business of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary or is replaced by equipment
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or other property or assets of at least comparable value and use and (iii)
sales of properties and assets which shall not exceed $50,000,000 in the
aggregate in any fiscal year.
SECTION 6.12 Amendments to Material Agreements. The Borrower
will not modify or amend the terms of the Indenture as in existence on the date
of this Agreement or any documents described on Schedule 6.12 without the
consent of the Required Lenders, if the effect of such modification or
amendment would be to the material detriment of the Lenders.
ARTICLE VII
Events of Default
If any of the following events ("Events of Default") shall
occur:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan
or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as
the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a
date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan
or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a)
of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall
become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period
of three (3) Business Days;
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or
on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this
Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, or in
any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or
modification hereof or waiver hereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in
any material respect when made or deemed made;
(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03 (with respect
to the Borrower's existence) or 5.08 or in Article VI;
(e) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those
specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall
continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the
Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request
of any Lender);
(f) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any
payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect
of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable
(taking into account any applicable grace period);
(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any
Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that
enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or
both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or
agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due,
or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof,
prior to its scheduled maturity;
(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an
involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or
other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or its debts, or of a
substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect
or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator,
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conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a
substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or
petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving
or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily
commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation,
reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii)
consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate
manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article,
(iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or
any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer
admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such
proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi)
take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
(j) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall become unable, admit
in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an
aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000 shall be rendered against the
Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain
undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall
not be effectively stayed; or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment
creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to
enforce any such judgment;
(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion
of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that
have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding (i) $10,000,000
in any year or (ii) $20,000,000 for all periods;
(m) a Change in Control shall occur;
(n) the Company or any Subsidiary, individually or in the
aggregate, incurs any uninsured loss or destruction of its property or assets
in one or more occurrence during any 12-month period for which the aggregate
value of the properties and assets lost or destroyed exceeds $50,000,000; or
(o) the material terms of the Financing Documents shall for
any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in
full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable (except as
enforceability may be limited as stated in Section 3.02) in accordance with
their terms;
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower
described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter
during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the
request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or
both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate
the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and
(ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in
part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may
thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of
the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest
thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder,
shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest
or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and
in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i)
of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal
of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all
fees and other obligations of
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the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby waived by the Borrower.
All proceeds received after maturity of the Indebtedness hereunder,
whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied first to reimbursement
of expenses and indemnities provided for in this Agreement; second to accrued
interest on the Loans; third to fees; fourth pro rata to principal outstanding
on the Loans and other Indebtedness hereunder; fifth to serve as cash
collateral to be held by the Administrative Agent to secure the LC Exposure;
and any excess shall be paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any
applicable law, rule, order or regulation of a Governmental Authority.
ARTICLE VIII
The Administrative Agent
Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably
appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the
Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such
powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof,
together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall
have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender
and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and
such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and
generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or
obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject
to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has
occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any
duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers,
except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the
Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders
(or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under
the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set
forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and
shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by
the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any
capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or
not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or
such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the
circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross
negligence or wilful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not
to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is
given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the
Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain
or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in
connection with this Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or
other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (iii) the
performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or
conditions set forth herein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness
or genuineness of this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or
document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or
elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to
be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and
shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request,
certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing
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believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper
Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it
orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and
shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent
may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower),
independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be
liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of
any such counsel, accountants or experts.
The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties
and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents
appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such
sub- agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and
powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of
the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related
Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to
their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor
Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent
may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the
Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the
right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor. If no
successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have
accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative
Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent
may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New
York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment
as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed
to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the
Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable
to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such
successor. After the Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder, the
provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the
benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their
respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be
taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and
information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make
its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this
Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or
thereunder. Each Lender acknowledges that Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P. is acting in
the Transactions as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only. Each
Lender will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems
necessary in connection with the Transactions.
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ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous
SECTION 9.01. Notices. Except in the case of notices and
other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices
and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be
delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or
registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Borrower, to:
R&B Falcon Corporation
000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention of Chief Financial Officer
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000;
(b) if to the Administrative Agent, to:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx Floor
Agency Services
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx or XxXxx XxXxxxxxx
Phone No.: (000) 000-0000/(000) 000-0000
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000
with copy to:
Chase Bank of Texas, National Association
000 Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxx
Phone No.: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
(c) if to the Issuing Bank, to:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Phone No.: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000 or 8201; and
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(d) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or
telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and
other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All
notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date
of receipt.
SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay
by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any
right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The
rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the
Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this
Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this
Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of
Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether
the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or
knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be
waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in
writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders;
provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender
without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of
any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce
any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected
thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount
of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable
hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or
postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the
written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.16(b) or
(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required
thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, or (v) change any of the
provisions of this Section or the definition of "Required Lenders" or any other
provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to
waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant
any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; provided
further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the
rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank hereunder
without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing
Bank, as the case may be.
SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The
Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges
and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with
the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation
and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or
waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for
payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees,
charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of
its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this
Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued
hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket
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expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect
of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent,
the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the
foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an "Indemnitee") against, and
hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements
of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any
Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the
execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument
contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective
obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other
transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use
of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a
demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in
connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such
Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous
Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim,
litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,
whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether
any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as
to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the
gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount
required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank under
paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to
the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender's
Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable
unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount;
provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage,
liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted
against the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.
(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower
shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any
theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages
(as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or
as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the
proceeds thereof.
(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable
promptly after written demand therefor.
SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including
any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except
that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any
attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be
null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be
construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of
the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly
contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent,
the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or by reason of this Agreement.
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(b) Any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that
(i) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a
Lender, each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of
an assignment of all or a portion of a Commitment or any Lender's obligations
in respect of its LC Exposure, the Issuing Bank) must give their prior written
consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
(ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a
Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning
Lender's Commitment, the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender
subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and
Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative
Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 (or $2,500,000 when any Co-Arranger
is the assigning Lender, but only until July 31, 1998) unless each of the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, (iii) each partial
assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the
assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, (iv) the
parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation
fee of $3,500, and (v) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver
to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and provided
further that any consent of the Borrower otherwise required under this
paragraph shall not be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph
(d) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each
Assignment and Acceptance the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and,
to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have
the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning
Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such
Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this
Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the
assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender
shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the
benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by
a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply
with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale
by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance
with paragraph (e) of this Section.
(c) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an
agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New
York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register
for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the
Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to,
each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register").
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the
contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the
Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.
(d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and
Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee's
completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a
Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph
(b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by
paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such
Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the
Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement
unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(e) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities (a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender's
obligations under this Agreement shall remain
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unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower,
the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue
to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such
Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any
amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided
that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not,
without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or
waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such
Participant. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section, the Borrower agrees
that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14
and 2.15 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its
interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the
extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the
benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant
agrees to be subject to Section 2.16(c) as though it were a Lender.
(f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any
greater payment under Section 2.13 or 2.15 than the applicable Lender would
have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such
Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made
with the Borrower's prior written consent. A Participant that would be a
Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of
Section 2.15 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such
Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to
comply with Section 2.15(e) as though it were a Lender.
(g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure
obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure
obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any
such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge
or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its
obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such
Lender as a party hereto.
SECTION 9.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the
certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to
this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other
parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless
of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and
notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender
may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or
warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in
full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on
any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is
outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as
the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections
2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full
force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination
of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this
Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement
and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the
Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and
understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except
as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it
shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the
Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken
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together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and
thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed
counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be
effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.07. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to
such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality
or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular
provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in
any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is
hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or
special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other
obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit
or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the
Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender,
irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under
this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of
each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies
(including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.
SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service
of Process. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the law of the State of New York.
(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the
Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the
United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any
appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment,
and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees
that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and
determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such
Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any
such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent,
the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Borrower or its properties in
the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any
suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any
court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto
hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense
of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any
such court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to
service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing
in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law.
SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY
HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING
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OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY
(WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A)
CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS
REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE
EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS
AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS
SECTION.
SECTION 9.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the
Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not
part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken
into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality
of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed
(a) to its and its Affiliates' directors, officers, employees and agents,
including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood
that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the
confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information
confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to
the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or
similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in
connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder,
(f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as
those of this Section, to any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective
assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such
Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach
of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than
the Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, "Information" means all
information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its
business, other than any such information that is available to the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis
prior to disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of information
received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly
identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to
maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall
be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has
exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such
Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.
BORROWER: R&B FALCON CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, individually and
AND LENDER: as Administrative Agent,
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Vice President
SYNDICATION AGENT CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
AND LENDER
By: /s/ J. Xxxxx Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: J. Xxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Associate
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
DOCUMENT AGENT BANQUE PARIBAS
AND LENDER:
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Director
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
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52
CO-SYNDICATION AGENT CHRISTIANA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
AND LENDER: NEW YORK BRANCH
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: First Vice President
MANAGING AGENT THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
AND LENDER:
By: /s/ F.C.H. Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: F.C.H. Xxxxx
Title: Senior Manager Loan Operations
MANAGING AGENT BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.
AND LENDER:
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President & Manager
MANAGING AGENT XXXXX FARGO BANK (TEXAS), N.A.
AND LENDER:
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Shageman
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Shageman
Title: Vice President -
Senior Relationship Manager
OTHER LENDERS: BANK AUSTRIA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
By: /s/ J. Xxxxxxx Xxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Title: First Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
S-2
53
CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ
By: /s/ Bjorn Hundevendt Xxxxxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Bjorn Hundevendt Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Man. Dir.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx, III
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx, III
Title: Vice President and Manager
SKANDINA VISKA ENSKILDA BANKERN (AB (PUBL)
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxx
Title: Managing Director
By: /s/ Per X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Per X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Head of Administration
X-0
00
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
GIROZENTRALE, NEW YORK BRANCH
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Managing Director
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
By: /s/ W. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: W. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Group Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
SAVINGS ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Claire Lice
---------------------------------------
Name: Claire Lice
Title: Managing Director
X-0
00
XX XXXX XXXXXXXX GENOSSENSCHAFTSBANK,
CAYMAN ISLAND BRANCH
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxx XxXxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx XxXxxxxx
Title: Asst. Vice President
THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx
Title: Vice President and Manager
KREDIETBANK N.V.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
S-5
56
NATEXIS BANQUE
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
S-6
57
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF]
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of April
24, 1998 (as amended and in effect on the date hereof, the "Credit Agreement"),
among R&B Falcon Corporation, the Lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders. Terms defined in the Credit
Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.
The Assignor named on the reverse hereof hereby sells and
assigns, without recourse, to the Assignee named on the reverse hereof, and the
Assignee hereby purchases and assumes, without recourse, from the Assignor,
effective as of the Assignment Date set forth on the reverse hereof, the
interests set forth on the reverse hereof (the "Assigned Interest") in the
Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement, including,
without limitation, the interests set forth on the reverse hereof in the
Commitment of the Assignor on the Assignment Date and Revolving Loans owing to
the Assignor which are outstanding on the Assignment Date, together with the
participations in Letters of Credit and LC Disbursements held by the Assignor
on the Assignment Date, but excluding accrued interest and fees to and
excluding the Assignment Date. The Assignee hereby acknowledges receipt of a
copy of the Credit Agreement. From and after the Assignment Date (i) the
Assignee shall be a party to and be bound by the provisions of the Credit
Agreement and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, have the rights and
obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent
of the Assigned Interest, relinquish its rights and be released from its
obligations under the Credit Agreement.
This Assignment and Acceptance is being delivered to the
Administrative Agent together with (i) if the Assignee is a Foreign Lender, any
documentation required to be delivered by the Assignee pursuant to Section
2.15(e) of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee,
and (ii) if the Assignee is not already a Lender under the Credit Agreement, an
Administrative Questionnaire in the form supplied by the Administrative Agent,
duly completed by the Assignee. The Assignee/Assignor shall pay the fee
payable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.04(b) of the Credit
Agreement.
This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Date of Assignment:
Legal Name of Assignor:
Legal Name of Assignee:
Assignee's Address for Notices:
Effective Date of Assignment
("Assignment Date"):
A-1
58
============================================================================================================
Percentage Assigned of
Facility/Commitment (set
forth, to at least 8 decimals,
Principal Amount Assigned as a percentage of the
Facility and the aggregate
Commitments of all Lenders
thereunder)
-----------
Facility
--------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitment Assigned: $ %
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revolving Loans:
============================================================================================================
The terms set forth above and on the reverse side hereof are hereby agreed to:
[Name of Assignor] , as Assignor
---------------------
By:
Name:
Title:
[Name of Assignee] , as Assignee
---------------------
By:
Name:
Title:
A-1
59
The undersigned hereby consent to the within assignment:(1/)
[Name of Borrower], The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Administrative Agent,
By: By:
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Issuing Bank
By:
Name:
Title:
----------------
(1/) Consents to be included to the extent required by Section 9.04(b) of the
Credit Agreement.
A-1
60
EXHIBIT B
OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE BORROWER
[Effective Date]
To the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent Referred to Below
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Dear Sirs:
I have acted as counsel for R&B Falcon Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), in connection with the Credit Agreement dated as
of April 24, 1998 (the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the banks and
other financial institutions identified therein as Lenders, and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement
are used herein with the same meanings.
I, or individuals under my direction, have examined originals
or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such
documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other
instruments and have conducted such other investigations of fact and law as I
have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion.
Upon the basis of the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:
1. The Borrower (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and (b) has all
requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted.
2. The Transactions are within the Borrower's corporate
powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if
required, stockholder action. The Credit Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Borrower and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general principles of
equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
3. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or
approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any
Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in
full force and effect, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or
the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not
violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other
instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets,
or give rise to a right thereunder to require
B-1
61
any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) will
not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
4. There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before
any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to [my/our]
knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (a) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse
determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect (other than
the Disclosed Matters) or (b) that involve the Credit Agreement or the
Transactions.
5. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an
"investment company" as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) a "holding company" as defined in, or
subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
I am a member of the bar of the State of Texas and the
foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Texas, the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Federal laws of the United
States of America. I note that the Credit Agreement is governed by the laws of
the State of New York and, for purposes of the opinion expressed in paragraph 2
above, I have assumed that the laws of the State of New York do not differ from
the laws of Texas in any manner that would render such opinion incorrect.](2/)
This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection with the above matter.
This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or relied upon
by any other Person (other than your successors and assigns as Lenders and
Persons that acquire participations in your Loans) without our prior written
consent.
Very truly yours,
-------------------------------------
(2/) To be included only when Borrower's counsel cannot give an opinion
regarding New York law.
B-2
62
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF NOTE
$_____________________________ ___________________, 199__
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, R&B FALCON CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
(the "Borrower") hereby promises to pay to the order of
______________________________ (the "Lender"), at the Principal Office of THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (the "Administrative Agent"), at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, the principal sum of _____________ Dollars
($____________) (or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the
Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined), in lawful money of the United States
of America and in immediately available funds, on the dates and in the
principal amounts provided in the Credit Agreement, and to pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount of each such Loan, at such office, in like money and
funds, for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall
be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit
Agreement.
The date, amount, Type, interest rate, Interest Period and maturity of
each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account
of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender on its books and,
prior to any transfer of this Note, endorsed by the Lender on the scheduleS
attached hereto or any continuation thereof or on any separate record
maintained by the Lender.
This Note is one of the notes referred to in Section 2.08(e) of the
Credit Agreement dated as of April 24, 1998 among the Borrower, the Lenders
which are or become parties thereto (including the Lender) and the
Administrative Agent, and evidences Loans made by the Lender thereunder (such
Credit Agreement as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
the "Credit Agreement"). Capitalized terms used in this Note have the
respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement and is entitled
to the benefits provided for in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement
provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence
of certain events, for prepayments of Loans upon the terms and conditions
specified therein and other provisions relevant to this Note.
This Note (including, but not limited to, the validity and
enforceability hereof) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of New York.
R&B FALCON CORPORATION
By:
Name:
Title:
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