EXHIBIT 4.1
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EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY,
as Company
and
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee
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INDENTURE
Dated as of July 21, 2003
Series A and Series B
7 5/8% Notes due 2010
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
PAGE
Section 1.01 Definitions.................................................. 1
Section 1.02 Other Definitions............................................ 14
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act............ 14
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction........................................ 14
ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.............................................. 15
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication................................. 16
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent................................... 17
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.......................... 18
Section 2.05 Holder Lists................................................. 18
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange........................................ 18
Section 2.07 Certificated Securities...................................... 23
Section 2.08 Replacement Securities....................................... 24
Section 2.09 Outstanding Securities....................................... 24
Section 2.10 Treasury Securities.......................................... 25
Section 2.11 Temporary Securities......................................... 25
Section 2.12 Cancellation................................................. 25
Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest........................................... 26
Section 2.14 Persons Deemed Owners........................................ 26
Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers................................................ 26
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
Section 3.01 Payment of Securities........................................ 26
Section 3.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.............................. 27
Section 3.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements............................ 27
Section 3.04 Compliance Certificate....................................... 28
Section 3.05 Limitation on Liens.......................................... 28
Section 3.06 Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.................... 30
Section 3.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments............................ 31
Section 3.08 Limitation on Incurrence of Debt............................. 34
Section 3.09 Limitation on Participation in El Paso's Cash
Management Program.......................................... 36
Section 3.10 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates................... 36
Section 3.11 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws...................... 38
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ARTICLE IV
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE
PAGE
Section 4.01 Limitation on Mergers and Consolidations..................... 38
Section 4.02 Successors Substituted....................................... 39
ARTICLE V
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 5.01 Events of Default............................................ 39
Section 5.02 Acceleration................................................. 40
Section 5.03 Other Remedies............................................... 41
Section 5.04 Waiver of Existing Defaults.................................. 41
Section 5.05 Control by Majority.......................................... 42
Section 5.06 Limitations on Suits......................................... 42
Section 5.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment......................... 43
Section 5.08 Collection Suit by Trustee................................... 43
Section 5.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim............................. 43
Section 5.10 Priorities................................................... 44
Section 5.11 Undertaking for Costs........................................ 44
ARTICLE VI
TRUSTEE
Section 6.01 Duties of Trustee............................................ 44
Section 6.02 Rights of Trustee............................................ 45
Section 6.03 Individual Rights of Trustee................................. 47
Section 6.04 Trustee's Disclaimer......................................... 47
Section 6.05 Notice of Defaults........................................... 47
Section 6.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders................................ 47
Section 6.07 Compensation and Indemnity................................... 48
Section 6.08 Replacement of Trustee....................................... 48
Section 6.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc............................. 49
Section 6.10 Eligibility; Disqualification................................ 50
Section 6.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company............ 50
ARTICLE VII
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
Section 7.01 Discharge of Indenture....................................... 50
Section 7.02 Legal Defeasance............................................. 51
Section 7.03 Covenant Defeasance.......................................... 52
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PAGE
Section 7.04 Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance........ 52
Section 7.05 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be
Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.............. 54
Section 7.06 Reinstatement................................................ 54
Section 7.07 Moneys Held by Paying Agent.................................. 54
Section 7.08 Moneys Held by Trustee....................................... 55
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 8.01 Without Consent of Holders................................... 55
Section 8.02 With Consent of Holders...................................... 56
Section 8.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.......................... 57
Section 8.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents............................ 57
Section 8.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities........................ 58
Section 8.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.............................. 58
ARTICLE IX
REDEMPTION
Section 9.01 Notices to Trustee........................................... 59
Section 9.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed....................... 59
Section 9.03 Notices to Holders........................................... 59
Section 9.04 Effect of Notices of Redemption.............................. 60
Section 9.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.................................. 60
Section 9.06 Securities Redeemed in Part.................................. 61
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls................................. 61
Section 10.02 Notices...................................................... 61
Section 10.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.................. 62
Section 10.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent........... 62
Section 10.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion................ 63
Section 10.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.................................. 63
Section 10.07 Legal Holidays............................................... 63
Section 10.08 No Recourse Against Others................................... 63
Section 10.09 Governing Law................................................ 63
Section 10.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements................ 64
Section 10.11 Successors................................................... 64
Section 10.12 Severability................................................. 64
Section 10.13 Counterpart Originals........................................ 64
Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc............................. 65
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EXHIBITS
Page
EXHIBIT A - Form of Security............................................. A-1
iv
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
----------------------
Indenture
TIA Section Section
------------------------ ---------------
310 (a)(1).................................................. Section 6.10
(a)(2).................................................. Section 6.10
(a)(3).................................................. N.A.
(a)(4).................................................. N.A.
(a)(5).................................................. Section 6.10
(b)..................................................... Section 6.10,
Section 7.01(b)
(c)..................................................... N.A.
311 (a)..................................................... Section 6.11
(b)..................................................... Section 6.11
(c)..................................................... N.A.
312 (a)..................................................... Section 2.05
(b)..................................................... Section 10.03
(c)..................................................... Section 10.03
313 (a)..................................................... Section 6.06
(b)..................................................... Section 6.06
(c)..................................................... Section 6.06
(d)..................................................... Section 6.06
314 (a)..................................................... Section 3.03
(b)..................................................... N.A.
(c)(1).................................................. Section 10.04
(c)(2).................................................. Section 10.04
(c)(3).................................................. N.A.
(d)..................................................... N.A.
(e)..................................................... Section 10.05
(f)..................................................... N.A.
315 (a)..................................................... Section 6.01(b)
(b)..................................................... Section 6.05
(c)..................................................... Section 6.01(a)
(d)..................................................... Section 6.01(3)
(e)..................................................... Section 5.11
316 (a) (last sentence)..................................... Section 2.09
(a)(1)(A)............................................... Section 5.05
(a)(1)(B)............................................... Section 5.04
(a)(2).................................................. N.A.
(b)..................................................... Section 5.07
(c)..................................................... Section 8.04
317 (a)(1).................................................. Section 5.08
(a)(2).................................................. Section 5.09
318 (a)..................................................... Section 9.01
318 (c)..................................................... Section 9.01
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N.A. means not applicable
* This Cross-Reference Table is not part of this
Indenture
v
INDENTURE dated as of July 21, 2003 between
El Paso Natural Gas
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Wilmington Trust Company, a
New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee").
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's 7 5/8% Series
A Notes due 2010 (the "Series A Securities") and 7 5/8% Series B Notes due 2010
(the "Series B Securities", and together with the Series A Securities and any
Additional Securities that may be issued in the future in accordance with
Article II, the "Securities").
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (a) Debt
of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or
into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including,
without limitation, Debt incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of,
such other Person merging with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of
such specified Person, and (b) Debt secured by a Lien encumbering any asset
acquired by such specified Person.
"Additional Securities" means Securities issued pursuant to Article II
and in compliance with Section 3.08 after the Initial Issue Date.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management
and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" shall have meanings correlative to the preceding.
The Trustee may request and may conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate
to determine whether any Person is an Affiliate of any specified Person.
"Agent" means any Registrar, co-Registrar, Paying Agent or
Authenticating Agent.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal,
state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
"Board of Directors" of any Person means the board of directors of such
Person or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular
matter, to act by or on behalf of the board of directors of such Person.
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.
"Capital Stock" means:
(a) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and
all shares of corporate stock of that Person;
(b) with respect to any Person that is an association or
business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights
or other equivalents, however designated, of capital stock of that
Person;
(c) with respect to any Person that is a partnership or
limited liability company, any and all partnership or membership
interests, whether general or limited, of that Person; and
(d) with respect to any other Person, any other interest or
participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of
the profits and losses of or distributions of assets of, the issuing
Person.
"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means Debt represented by obligations
under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting
purposes in accordance with GAAP and the amount of such Debt shall be the
capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Clearstream" means Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, Luxembourg.
"Commodity Agreement" means, in respect to any Person, any forward
contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar
agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in
commodity prices.
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become
such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor corporation.
"Consolidated Debt" means, as of any date of determination, the total,
without duplication, of all of the Company's Debt and all Debt of its Restricted
Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, after eliminating all offsetting debits
and credits between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary and all other
items required to be eliminated in the course of the preparation of consolidated
financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Debt to EBITDA Ratio" means, with respect to any
incurrence of Debt on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Debt as of such
date to (b) the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for its most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which
internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of
such incurrence of Debt. Notwithstanding any other provision, for purposes of
making the computation referred to above, acquisitions that have been made by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including all mergers and
consolidations, subsequent to the commencement of such period shall be
calculated on a pro
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forma basis, assuming that all such acquisitions, mergers and consolidations had
occurred on the first day of such period.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person (the referent
Person) for any period, Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period,
determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (to the extent such amounts are
deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such
period, and without duplication) (a) Consolidated Interest Expense of such
Person for such period, (b) any provision for taxes based on income or profits
of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such income or
profits were included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income of such Person
for such period, and (c) amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges
(including, without limitation, amortization of goodwill, deferred financing
fees and other intangibles but excluding (i) cash payments against such non-cash
charges during such period, (ii) cash payments against non-cash charges from a
prior period but subsequent to the date of this Indenture and (iii) normally
recurring accruals such as reserves against accounts receivable); provided,
however, if there is an event of default (as therein defined) under any Debt of
El Paso or one or more Subsidiaries of El Paso (other than the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries) guaranteed by one or more of the Company's
Restricted Subsidiaries, or a default, and, if applicable, after the passage of
time or the giving of notice or both, which in either event could cause such
Debt to become due prior to its stated maturity, then the Company's Consolidated
EBITDA shall not include the Consolidated EBITDA of such Restricted Subsidiary
until such default is cured or waived.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total
interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any
period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP; provided that (a) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is
not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of
accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or
distributions paid in cash to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary
thereof, (b) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to
the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions
by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of
determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not
been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its
charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its
stockholders, (c) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of
interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall
be excluded and (d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles
shall be excluded; provided, further, if there is an event of default (as
therein defined) under any Debt of El Paso or one or more Subsidiaries of El
Paso (other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) guaranteed
by one or more of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries, or a default, and, if
applicable, after the passage of time or the giving of notice or
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both, which in either event could cause such Debt to become due prior to its
stated maturity, then the Company's Consolidated Net Income shall not include
the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary until such default is cured or
waived.
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, at any date of determination,
the total amount of assets after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities
(excluding (i) any current liabilities that by their terms are extendable or
renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more than 12 months
after the time as of which the amount thereof is being computed, and (ii)
current maturities of long-term debt), and (b) the value (net of any applicable
reserves) of all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents and other like
intangible assets, all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the Company's most recently
completed fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with GAAP.
"Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee" means the office of the Trustee
at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall be principally
administered, which office shall initially be located at the address of the
Trustee specified in Section 10.02 hereof and may be located at such other
address as the Trustee may give notice to the Company and the Holders or such
other address as a successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice
to the Holders and the Company.
"Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange
contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such
Person is a party or a beneficiary.
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Debt" means (a) any liability of any Person (i) for borrowed money,
(ii) evidenced by a note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase
money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any property or
assets (other than inventory or similar property acquired in the ordinary course
of business), including securities, or (iii) for the payment of money relating
to a Capitalized Lease Obligation; (b) any guarantee by any Person of any
liability of others described in the preceding clause (a); and (c) any
amendment, renewal, extension or refunding of any liability of the types
referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in the foregoing, Debt shall not include: (x) any liability of or any
guarantee or similar arrangement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of El
Paso's or El Paso Merchant Energy's obligations in connection with, related to
or arising out of the Western Energy Settlement, (y) any of the Company's or any
of its Subsidiaries' Debt incurred pursuant to a cash management program of El
Paso and its Subsidiaries or (z) in order to avoid double counting, a guarantee
described in clause (b) above of any liability described in clause (a) above if
such liability has been included in the determination of Debt.
"Default" means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or
the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
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"Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their
respective successors.
"Disqualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms
or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event,
(a) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an
optional redemption by the issuer of that Capital Stock);
(b) is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise; or
(c) is redeemable at the sole option of its holder,
in whole or in part, on or prior to the final maturity date of the Securities;
provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock that so matures or is
mandatorily redeemable or is so redeemable at the sole option of its holder
prior to the final maturity date of the Securities will be deemed Disqualified
Capital Stock.
"El Paso" means El Paso Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
"El Paso's $3 Billion Facility" means the $3 billion Revolving Credit
Agreement dated as of April 16, 2003, among El Paso, the Company, Tennessee Gas
Pipeline Company, ANR Pipeline Company, the several banks and other financial
institutions from time to time parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as
administrative agent for the Lenders thereunder, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Citicorp
North America, Inc., as co-document agents for the Lenders, and Bank of America,
N.A. and Credit Suisse First Boston, as co-syndication agents for the Lenders.
"El Paso Merchant Energy" means El Paso Merchant Energy, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership.
"El Paso's Other Financings" means the $1 billion of other financing
arrangements existing on the date hereof, including leases, letters of credit
and other facilities, secured by Sabine River Investors V, L.L.C.'s equity
interests in EPNG Mojave, Inc. and El Paso Mojave Pipeline Co.
"Equity Interests" means Qualified Capital Stock and all warrants,
options or other rights to acquire Qualified Capital Stock, but excluding any
debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Qualified Capital
Stock.
"Euroclear" means Euroclear Bank S.A./NV, as operator of the Euroclear
System.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and any successor statute.
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"Exchange Offer" means the offer that may be made by the Company
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to exchange the Series B
Securities for the Series A Securities.
"Funded Debt" means all Indebtedness maturing one year or more from
the date of the creation thereof, all Indebtedness directly or indirectly
renewable or extendible, at the option of the debtor, by its terms or by the
terms of any instrument or agreement relating thereto, to a date one year or
more from the date of the creation thereof, and all Indebtedness under a
revolving credit or similar agreement obligating the lender or lenders to extend
credit over a period of one year or more.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect from time to time.
"guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt of any other Person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Debt of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership
arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods,
securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Debt of the payment thereof or to protect such
obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided,
however, that the term "guarantee" shall not include endorsements for collection
of deposit in the ordinary course of business or any guarantee, direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, in connection with the Western Energy
Settlement.
"Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such
Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Commodity Agreement or Currency
Agreement.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.
"Indebtedness" means any obligation created or assumed by any Person
for the repayment of money borrowed and any purchase money obligation created or
assumed by such Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not
include any of the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' Indebtedness incurred
pursuant to a cash management program of El Paso and its Subsidiaries.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time
to time.
"Independent Financial Advisor" means an investment banking firm of
national standing or any third party appraiser that is determined by the
Company's Board of Directors to be reasonably competent to issue an opinion or
valuation with respect to the
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matter for which it has been engaged; provided that such firm or appraiser is
not an Affiliate of the Company.
"Initial Issue Date" means the first date on which the Series A
Securities are issued under this Indenture.
"Initial Purchasers" means any initial purchasers of Series A
Securities issued in connection with an offering under Rule 144A and/or
Regulation S, including without limitation, the Original Initial Purchasers, as
such in the Original Offering.
"Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
the Securities.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means with respect to any Person any interest
rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option
agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest
rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement
or arrangement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
(other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business) or other
extension of credit (including by way of guarantee or similar arrangement, but
excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other
than a time deposit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of
cash or other property to other Persons or any payment for property or services
for the account or use of other Persons), or any purchase or acquisition of
Capital Stock, Debt or other similar instruments issued by such Person.
"Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions in any of Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx or a place of payment
are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain
closed.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge, lien, or
other encumbrance of any kind, whether or not filed, recorded or perfected under
applicable law.
"Liquidated Damages" has the meaning given to such term in any
Registration Rights Agreement.
"Maturity," when used with respect to any Security, means the date on
which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due
and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
"Moody's" means Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the
rating agency business of Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.
"Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss)
of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in
respect of dividends on Preferred Stock, excluding, however, (a) any gain (but
not loss), together
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with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in
connection with (i) any asset sale (except in the ordinary course of business)
(including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to Sale-Leaseback
Transactions) or (ii) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of
its Subsidiaries, (b) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss),
together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or
nonrecurring gain (but not loss) and (c) the settlement expense related to the
Western Energy Settlement, together with any related provision for taxes.
"Officer" means the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer,
the president, any vice chairman of the board, any vice president, the principal
financial officer, the principal accounting officer, the treasurer, any
assistant treasurer, the controller, the secretary or any assistant secretary of
a Person.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers of a
Person, one of whom must be the Person's chief executive officer, principal
financial officer or principal accounting officer.
"Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period, less aggregate
maintenance capital expenditures of such Person, and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period determined in accordance with GAAP, less any taxes paid in cash
by such Person based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries to the extent such income or profits were included in calculating
Consolidated Net Income for purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA of such
Person for such period, less Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for
such period; provided, however, if there is an event of default (as therein
defined) under any Debt of El Paso or one or more subsidiaries of El Paso (other
than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) guaranteed by one or
more of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries, or a default, and, if applicable,
after the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, which in either event
could cause such Debt to become due prior to its stated maturity, then the
Company's Operating Cash Flow shall not include the Operating Cash Flow of such
Restricted Subsidiary until such default is cured or waived.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
acceptable to the Trustee. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the
Company, its parent corporation or the Trustee.
"Original Initial Purchasers" means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, as initial purchasers of the Series A Securities
in the Original Offering.
"Original Offering" means the offering of the Series A Securities
pursuant to the Original Offering Memorandum.
"Original Offering Memorandum" means the Offering Memorandum of the
Company, dated July 16 2003, relating to the offering of the Series A
Securities.
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"Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in:
(a) cash or cash equivalents;
(b) an Investment existing on the Initial Issue Date,
including any Investment in connection with, related to or arising out
of the Western Energy Settlement;
(c) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business
and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;
(d) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that
are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as
expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary
course of business;
(e) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of
debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or
claims or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement
upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor;
(f) Hedging Obligations;
(g) prepayments and other credits made in the ordinary course
of business;
(h) Investments in connection with pledges, deposits, payments
or performance bonds made or given in the ordinary course of business
in connection with or to secure statutory, regulatory or similar
obligations, including obligations under health, safety or
environmental obligations;
(i) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, including
guarantees of Debt of a Subsidiary of the Company;
(j) another Person if as a result of such Investment such
other Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or is merged or
consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially
all its assets to, the Company or one of its subsidiaries; and
(k) any Person engaged in the business of transportation,
storage, gathering, marketing or sale of natural gas and/or petroleum
products and/or any businesses reasonably related thereto.
"Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens upon rights-of-way for pipeline
purposes; (b) any governmental Lien, mechanics', materialmen's, carriers' or
similar Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business which is not yet due or
which is being contested in good
-9-
faith by appropriate proceedings and any undetermined Lien which is incidental
to construction; (c) the right reserved to, or vested in, any municipality or
public authority by the terms of any right, power, franchise, grant, license,
permit or by any provision of law, to purchase or recapture or to designate a
purchaser of, any property; (d) Liens of taxes and assessments which are (i) for
the then current year, (ii) not at the time delinquent, or (iii) delinquent but
the validity of which is being contested at the time by the Company or any
Subsidiary in good faith; (e) Liens of, or to secure performance of, leases; (f)
any Lien upon, or deposits of, any assets in favor of any surety company or
clerk of court for the purpose of obtaining indemnity or stay of judicial
proceedings; (g) any Lien upon property or assets acquired or sold by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary resulting from the exercise of any rights
arising out of defaults on receivables; (h) any Lien incurred in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workmen's compensation, unemployment
insurance, temporary disability, social security, retiree health or similar laws
or regulations or to secure obligations imposed by statute or governmental
regulations; (i) any Lien upon any property or assets in accordance with
customary banking practice to secure any Indebtedness incurred by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the exporting of goods to, or
between, or the marketing of goods in, or the importing of goods from, foreign
countries; (j) any Lien in favor of the United States of America or any state
thereof, or any other country, or any political subdivision of any of the
foregoing, to secure partial, progress, advance, or other payments pursuant to
any contract or statute, or any Lien securing industrial development, pollution
control, or similar revenue bonds; (k) any Lien in connection with, related to
or arising out of the Western Energy Settlement; or (l) any Lien in connection
with, related to or arising out of El Paso's $3 Billion Facility and any
Refinancing thereof.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, other
entity, unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Stock" means any capital stock or other equity interests of
a Person, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference
with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person,
over shares of any other class of capital stock or other equity interests issued
by such Person.
"Principal Property" means (a) any pipeline assets of the Company or
any Subsidiary, including any related facilities employed in the transportation,
distribution or marketing of natural gas, that is located in the United States
or Canada, and (b) any processing or manufacturing plant owned or leased by the
Company or any Subsidiary and located within the United States or Canada,
except, in the case of either clause (a) or (b), any such assets or plant which,
in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is not material in relation to the
activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole.
"Private Exchange" means the offer by the Company to any of the Initial
Purchasers to issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser, in exchange for the
Series A Securities held by such Initial Purchaser as part of its initial
distribution, a like aggregate principal amount of Private Exchange Securities.
-10-
"Private Exchange Securities" means the Series B Securities to be
issued pursuant to this Indenture to an Initial Purchaser in a Private Exchange.
"Qualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock that is not
Disqualified Capital Stock.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Redemption Price" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Securities.
"Refinance" means, with respect to any Debt or Indebtedness, to extend,
refinance, renew, replace, or refund such Debt or Indebtedness.
"Refinancing" means, with respect to any Debt or Indebtedness, any
extension, refinancing, renewal, replacement or refunding of such Debt or
Indebtedness (or successive extensions, refinancings, renewals, replacements or
refundings of such Debt or Indebtedness).
"Registration Rights Agreement" means any registration rights agreement
entered into by the Company relating to any Securities issued hereunder,
including without limitation, the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
July 21, 2003, among the Company and the Original Initial Purchasers.
"Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee means any
vice president, (whether or not designated by numbers or words added before or
after the title "vice president") , any assistant vice president, or any other
officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those
performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively,
or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct
responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
"Restricted Payment" means:
(a) the declaration or payment of any dividend or the making
of any other distribution (other than dividends or distributions
payable solely in Qualified Capital Stock or in options, rights or
warrants to acquire Qualified Capital Stock) on shares of Capital Stock
of the Company;
(b) the declaration or payment of any dividend or the making
of any other distribution on shares of the Capital Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary to any Person (other than (i) to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) dividends or distributions made by a
Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis to all stockholders of such
Restricted Subsidiary (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case
of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a corporation) or (iii)
dividends or distributions
-11-
payable solely in its Qualified Capital Stock or in options, rights or
warrants to acquire Qualified Capital Stock);
(c) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition
for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by Persons other
than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (other than in exchange for
Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or options, rights or warrants
to acquire Qualified Capital Stock of the Company); or
(d) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted
Investment) in any Person.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company owning or
leasing any Principal Property.
"Sale-Leaseback Transaction" means the sale or transfer by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property to a Person (other than
the Company or a Subsidiary) and the taking back by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, of a lease of such Principal
Property.
"Securities" means the Series A Securities, Series B Securities and any
Additional Securities.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any
successor statute.
"Securities Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to
the Securities in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
"Series A Securities" means the Company's 7 5/8% Series A Notes due
2010, to be issued pursuant to this Indenture.
"Series B Securities" means the Company's 7 5/8% Series B Notes due
2010, to be issued pursuant to this Indenture in the Exchange Offer.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means the registration statement to be
filed by the Company, in connection with the offer and sale of Series A
Securities or Private Exchange Securities, pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement.
"Standard & Poor's" means Standard & Poor's, a division of The
XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc. and its successors.
"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date
specified in such security as the fixed date on which the principal of such
security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision (but excluding any provision
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providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder
thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has
occurred).
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (a) a corporation a majority of whose
capital stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect
directors is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such referent Person,
by such referent Person and a Subsidiary (or Subsidiaries) of such referent
Person or by a Subsidiary (or Subsidiaries) of such referent Person or (b) any
Person (other than a corporation) in which such referent Person, a Subsidiary
(or Subsidiaries) of such referent Person, or such referent Person and a
Subsidiary (or Subsidiaries) of such referent Person, directly or indirectly, at
the date of determination thereof has at least a majority ownership interest;
provided that no corporation shall be deemed a Subsidiary until such referent
Person, a Subsidiary (or Subsidiaries) of such referent Person or such referent
Person and a Subsidiary (or Subsidiaries) of such referent Person acquires more
than 50% of the outstanding voting stock thereof and has elected a majority of
its Board of Directors.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C.
Sections 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the Initial Issue Date, except as
provided in Section 8.03 hereof.
"Transfer Restricted Securities" with respect to any Securities, means
Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement
applicable to such Securities).
"Trustee" means the party named as such above until a successor
replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and
thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations of the United
States for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States
is pledged.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Debt at
any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products
obtained by multiplying (1) the amount of each then remaining installment,
sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including
payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (2) the number of years
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and
the making of such payment, by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such
Debt.
"Western Energy Settlement" means the agreement in principle, dated
March 20, 2003, by and among El Paso, its Affiliates and various public and
private claimants, including the states of California, Washington, Oregon and
Nevada, and the definitive settlement agreements entered into on June 23, 2003
in connection therewith, to resolve the principal litigation, claims and
regulatory proceedings against El Paso and its Affiliates relating to the sale
or delivery of natural gas and electricity from September 1996 to the date of
such settlement, (a) as in effect on the Initial Issue Date and (b) any
amendment, supplement or modification thereof.
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Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
Term Defined in Section
----------------------------------------------- ------------------
"Affiliate Transaction"........................ Section 3.10(a)
"Agent Members"................................ Section 2.01(c)
"Authenticating Agent"......................... Section 2.02
"Covenant Defeasance".......................... Section 7.03
"DTC".......................................... Section 2.03
"Event of Default"............................. Section 5.01
"Global Security".............................. Section 2.01(b)
"incur"........................................ Section 3.08(a)
"Legal Defeasance"............................. Section 7.02
"Paying Agent"................................. Section 2.03
"Payment Default".............................. Section 3.09(a)(1)
"Refinancing Debt"............................. Section 3.08(b)(5)
"Registrar".................................... Section 2.03
"Regulation S"................................. Section 2.01(b)
"Rule 144A".................................... Section 2.01(b)
"Security Register"............................ Section 2.03
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
"commission" means the SEC;
"indenture securities" means the Securities;
"indenture security holder" means a Holder;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company.
All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined
by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA
have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
-14-
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) "or" is not exclusive;
(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the
plural include the singular; and
(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.
ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of
authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this
Indenture, the terms of which are hereby incorporated into this
Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements
required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company's certificate of
incorporation, memorandum of association, articles of association,
other organizational documents, agreements to which the Company is
subject, if any, or usage; provided that any such notation, legend or
endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company. Each Security shall
be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities shall be in
registered form without coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiples thereof. The terms and provisions contained in
the Securities shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part
of this Indenture and to the extent applicable, the Company and the
Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly
agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
(b) Global Securities. Series A Securities offered and sold to
a QIB in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A")
or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation
S") shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent
global Securities in definitive, fully registered form without interest
coupons with the global securities legend and restricted securities
legend set forth in Section 2.06 (each, a "Global Security"), which
shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Series A
Securities represented thereby with the Trustee, at its
New York
office, as custodian for the Depositary (or with such other custodian
as the Depositary may direct), and registered in the name of the
Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company
and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate
principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be
increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the
Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
(c) Book-entry Provisions. This Section 2.01(c) shall apply
only to a Global Security deposited with or on behalf of the
Depositary.
-15-
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance
with this Section 2.01(c), authenticate and deliver initially one or
more Global Securities that (i) shall initially be registered in the
name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities or
the nominee of such Depositary and (ii) shall be delivered by the
Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary's
instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary.
Members of, or participants in ("Agent Members"), the
Depositary (including Euroclear and Clearstream) shall have no rights
under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their
behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as the custodian of the
Depositary or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be
treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the
Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes
whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent
the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee
from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the
Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices
of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of
a beneficial interest in any Global Security.
(d) Certificated Securities. Except as provided in this
Section 2.01 or Section 2.06, owners of beneficial interests in Global
Securities will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated Securities.
(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The
provisions of the "Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and
"Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear" and the equivalent
procedures of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of
beneficial interests in Global Securities that are held by Agent
Members (as defined below) through Euroclear or Clearstream.
(f) Additional Securities. Subject to compliance with the
provisions of Section 3.08, the Company may issue Additional Securities
under this Indenture after the Initial Issue Date in an unlimited
aggregate principal amount.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.
One Officer of the Company shall sign the Securities on behalf of the
Company by manual or facsimile signature. The Company's seal may be (but shall
not be required to be) impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the
Securities and may be in facsimile form.
If an Officer of the Company whose signature is on a Security no longer
holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall
be valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual
signature of an authorized
-16-
signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the
Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall authenticate (a) for original issue on the Initial
Issue Date, Series A Securities in the aggregate principal amount of
$355,000,000, (b) Series B Securities for original issue, pursuant to any
Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, for a like principal amount of Series A
Securities and (c) subject to Section 3.08 hereof, any amount of Additional
Securities specified by the Company, in each case, upon a written order of the
Company signed by one Officer of the Company. Such order shall specify (i) the
amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date of original issue
thereof, and (ii) whether the Securities are Series A Securities or Series B
Securities. The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series
outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of
Securities of such series authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one
or more written orders of the Company, except as provided in Section 2.08
hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent (the "Authenticating
Agent") reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. Unless
limited by the terms of such appointment, an Authenticating Agent may
authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this
Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such
Authenticating Agent. An Authenticating Agent has the same rights as an Agent to
deal with the Company, or an Affiliate of the Company.
The Series A Securities and the Series B Securities shall be considered
collectively to be a single class for all purposes of this Indenture, including,
without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained an office or
agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or
exchange ("Registrar") and an office or agency located in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of
New York, State of
New York where Securities may be
presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The Registrar shall keep a register of
the Securities and of their transfer and exchange (the "Security Register"). The
Company may appoint one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying
Agents. The term "Registrar" includes any co-Registrar and the term "Paying
Agent" includes any additional Paying Agents.
The Company may enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent.
The Company may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without
notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity
as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any
of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
-17-
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying
Agent.
The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to
act as Depositary with respect to each Global Security.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of
Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of
principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, whether such
money shall have been paid to it by the Company and will notify the Trustee of
any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default
continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to
the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Company at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account
for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting
for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the
Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held
by it as Paying Agent.
Section 2.05 Holder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is
not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven
Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders, and the
Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities.
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Securities or
beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary,
in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on
transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary
therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Security
shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with
the Depositary's procedures containing information regarding the
participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial
interest in the Global Security. The Registrar shall, in accordance
with such instructions, instruct the Depositary to credit to the
account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial
interest in the Global Security and to debit the account of the Person
making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Security
being transferred.
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(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture
(other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.07), a Global
Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to
a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the
Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or
any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary.
Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and
the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer,
exchange or assignment of such Holder's Security in violation of any
provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or
state securities law.
(iii) If a Global Security is exchanged for Securities in
definitive registered form pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section
2.07, prior to the consummation of an Exchange Offer or prior to or in
a transfer made pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration Statement
with respect to such Securities, such Securities may be exchanged only
in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with
the provisions of this Section 2.06 (including the certification and
other requirements set forth on the reverse of the Series A Securities
intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or
Regulation S, as the case may be, or are otherwise in compliance with
the requirements of the Securities Act) and such other procedures as
may from time to time be adopted by the Company.
(b) Legend.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii),
(iii) and (iv), each Security certificate evidencing the Global
Securities (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or in
substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the
following form:
[(1) THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED
IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY
NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF
THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY
BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE
SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
(2) THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM
THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
-19-
TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE
UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER
(IF AVAILABLE), (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (V) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION
D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER
OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B)
THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY
PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED
TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE.
(3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
SECURITY OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO
THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND; AND
(4) AGREES THAT, BEFORE THE HOLDER OFFERS, SELLS OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERS THIS SECURITY,
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY MAY REQUIRE THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY TO DELIVER A WRITTEN OPINION, CERTIFICATIONS
AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION THAT IT REASONABLY REQUIRES TO CONFIRM THAT
SUCH PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
AS USED IN THIS SECURITY, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,"
"U.S. PERSON" AND "UNITED STATES" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY
RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.](1)
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted
Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a
Global Security) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, in the
case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is represented by a
Global Security, the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to
exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated Security
----------
(1) These paragraphs should be included only if the Security is a Transfer
Restricted Security
-20-
that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any
restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if
the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for
such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to
be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security).
(iii) After a transfer of any Series A Securities or Private
Exchange Securities during the period of the effectiveness of and
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Series
A Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, but
nevertheless subject to Section 2.07(a), all requirements pertaining to
legends on such Series A Security or such Private Exchange Security
will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Series A
Security or such Private Exchange Security issued to certain Holders be
issued in global form will cease to apply, and a certificated Series A
Security or Private Exchange Security without legends will be available
to the transferee of the Holder of such Series A Securities or Private
Exchange Securities upon exchange of such transferring Holder's
certificated Series A Security or Private Exchange Security or
directions to transfer such Holder's interest in the Global Security,
as applicable.
(iv) Upon the consummation of an Exchange Offer with respect
to the Series A Securities pursuant to which Holders of such Series A
Securities are offered Series B Securities in exchange for their Series
A Securities, but nevertheless subject to Section 2.07(a), all
requirements pertaining to such Series A Securities that Series A
Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will
cease to apply and certificated Series A Securities with the restricted
securities legend set forth in Section 2.06(b)(i) will be available to
Holders of such Series A Securities that do not exchange their Series A
Securities, and Series B Securities in certificated or global form will
be available to Holders that exchange such Series A Securities in such
Exchange Offer.
(v) Upon the consummation of a Private Exchange with respect
to the Series A Securities pursuant to which Holders of such Series A
Securities are offered Private Exchange Securities in exchange for
their Series A Securities, all requirements pertaining to such Series A
Securities that Series A Securities issued to certain Holders be issued
in global form will still apply, and Private Exchange Securities in
global form with the restricted securities legend set forth in Section
2.06(b)(i) will be available to Holders that exchange such Series A
Securities in such Private Exchange.
(c) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Security. At such
time as all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been
exchanged for certificated Securities, redeemed, repurchased or
canceled, such Global Security shall be returned to the Depositary for
cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior
to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security
is exchanged for certificated Securities, redeemed, repurchased or
canceled, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global
Security shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books
and records of the
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Trustee (if it is then the Securities Custodian for such Global
Security) with respect to such Global Security, by the Trustee or the
Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(d) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of
Securities.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate certificated
Securities and Global Securities at the Registrar's or co-Registrar's
request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar
governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any
such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable
upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Section 8.05 and Section 9.06).
(ii) The Registrar or co-Registrar shall not be required to
register the transfer of or exchange of (1) any certificated Security
selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article IX,
except the unredeemed portion of any certificated Security being
redeemed in part, or (2) any Security for a period beginning 15
Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase
or redeem Securities or 15 Business Days before an interest payment
date.
(iii) Prior to the due presentation for registration of
transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent,
the Registrar or any co-Registrar may deem and treat the Person in
whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium,
if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Security
and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is
overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the
Registrar or any co-Registrar shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.
(iv) All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange
pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt
and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the
Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(e) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to
any beneficial owner of a Global Security, any Agent Member or other
Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or
its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to
any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the
delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person
(other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of
redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such
Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders
and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be
given or made only to or upon the
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order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its
nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial
owners in any Global Security shall be exercised only through the
Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the
Depositary. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be fully
protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with
respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor,
determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer
imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to
any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers
between or among Agent Members or beneficial owners in any Global
Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other
documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if
and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to
examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with
the express requirements hereof.
Section 2.07 Certificated Securities.
(a) A Global Security deposited with the Depositary or with
the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary pursuant to Section 2.01
shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of
certificated Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of such Global Security, in exchange for such Global
Security, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.06 and (i) the
Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such
Depositary ceases to be a "clearing agency" registered under the
Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company
within 90 days of such notice, or (ii) the Company, in its sole
discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the
issuance of certificated Securities under this Indenture.
(b) Any Global Security that is transferred to the beneficial
owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be surrendered by
the Depositary to the Trustee at its office located in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of
New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from
time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such
Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of certificated
Securities of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global
Security transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed,
authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $1,000 and any
integral multiple thereof and registered in such names as the
Depositary shall direct. Any certificated Series A Security delivered
in exchange for an interest in the Global Security shall, except as
otherwise provided by Section 2.06(d), bear the restricted securities
legend set forth in Section 2.06(b).
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(b), the
registered Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize any Person,
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including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through
Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take
under this Indenture or the Securities.
(d) If either of the events specified in Section 2.07(a)
occurs, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a
reasonable supply of certificated Securities in definitive, fully
registered form without interest coupons.
(e) If a certificated Security issued pursuant to this Section
2.07 is exchanged for another certificated Security prior to the
consummation of an Exchange Offer or prior to or in a transfer made
pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration Statement with respect to
such Securities, such Securities may be exchanged only in accordance
with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the
provisions of (i) Section 2.06(a)(iii) (including the certification and
other requirements set forth on the reverse of the Series A Securities
intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or
Regulation S, as the case may be, or are otherwise in compliance with
the requirements of the Securities Act) and such other procedures as
may from time to time be adopted by the Company and (ii) Section
2.06(b).
Section 2.08 Replacement Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company
and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss
or theft of any Security, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate a replacement Security, but only if the Trustee's requirements are
met. Such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the
judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any
Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if
a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge for their
expenses in replacing a Security. If, after the delivery of such replacement
Security, a bona fide purchaser of the original Security in lieu of which such
replacement Security was issued presents for payment or registration such
original Security, the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such replacement
Security from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking
therefrom, except a bona fide purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon
the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage,
cost or expense incurred by the Trustee or the Company in connection therewith.
Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.
Section 2.09 Outstanding Securities.
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities
authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to
it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security
effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.09 as
not outstanding; provided, however, that in determining whether the holders of
the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities are present at a
meeting of holders of Securities for quorum purposes or have consented to or
voted
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in favor of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver, amendment or modification hereunder, Securities held for the account of
the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates shall
be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that in determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such a determination or relying
upon any such quorum, consent or vote, only Securities which a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof, it ceases to
be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
A Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance or
covenant defeasance ceases to be outstanding except to the extent provided in
Sections 7.02 and 7.03.
If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under
Section 3.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to
accrue.
Except as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof, a Security does not cease
to be outstanding because the Company or any of its Affiliates holds the
Security.
Section 2.10 Treasury Securities.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned
by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be disregarded, except that for
the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on
any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.11 Temporary Securities.
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may
prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary
Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may
have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall
authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until
so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the
same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.
Section 2.12 Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee
any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of
transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation. All canceled
Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance
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with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee. The Company may not issue new
Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it
shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent
lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in
the Securities and in Section 3.01 hereof. The Company may pay the defaulted
interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At
least 15 days before any special record date, the Company (or the Trustee, in
the name of and at the expense of the Company) shall mail to Holders a notice
that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of
such interest to be paid.
Section 2.14 Persons Deemed Owners.
The Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may
treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, or premium, if
any, or interest on such Security and for all other purposes. None of the
Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by
any notice to the contrary.
Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices
of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may
state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers
either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a
redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected
by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify
the Trustee of any change in the "CUSIP" numbers.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
Section 3.01 Payment of Securities.
The Company shall pay the principal of and premium, if any, Liquidated
Damages, if any, and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner
provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any,
Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date
due if the Paying Agent, other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company,
holds by 11:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on that date money deposited by the
Company designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any,
Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest then due.
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To the extent lawful, the Company shall pay interest (including
post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue
principal, premium, if any, Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest payments
(without regard to any applicable grace period) at a rate equal to the then
applicable interest rate on the Securities.
Section 3.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company shall maintain, in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the
Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities may be presented for
payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Securities and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the
Company by written notice to the Trustee, such office or agency shall be the
principal office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New
York, which, on the date hereof, is located at the address set forth in Section
10.02 hereof. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any
or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations;
provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner
relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York for such purposes. The Company shall
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission
and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The
Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such
office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 3.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.
(a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to
remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the
Trustee with, and the Trustee shall mail to any Holder requesting
copies of, such annual and quarterly reports and such information,
documents and other reports specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act within 15 days after the date it is required (or would
otherwise have been required) to file such reports, information and
documents.
(b) In addition, whether or not required by the rules and
regulations of the SEC, the Company shall file a copy of all such
information and reports with the SEC for public availability (unless
the SEC will not accept such filing). In addition, the Company shall
furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon the requests
of Holders, any information required to be delivered pursuant to
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Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Securities are
not freely transferable under the Securities Act.
(c) The Company shall provide the Trustee with a sufficient
number of copies of all reports and other documents and information
that the Trustee may be required to deliver to Holders under clause (a)
of this Section 3.03.
(d) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the
Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of
such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information
contained therein or determinable from information contained therein,
including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder
(as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).
Section 3.04 Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a statement signed by
two Officers of the Company (one of whom shall be the principal
financial, principal accounting or principal executive officer of the
Company), which statement need not constitute an Officers' Certificate,
complying with TIA Section 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of
performance by the signing Officers of the Company of their duties as
such Officers, they would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping,
observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company, of its obligations
under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer
signing such statement, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the
Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every
covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and
conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which
such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking
or proposes to take with respect thereto).
(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Securities are
outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer of the
Company becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this
Indenture, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event of
Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto.
Section 3.05 Limitation on Liens.
The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Principal Property,
whether owned or leased on the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired, to
secure any Indebtedness of the Company or any other Person (other than the
Securities issued hereunder), without in any such case making effective
provision whereby all of the Securities outstanding hereunder shall be secured
equally and ratably with, or prior to, such Indebtedness so long as such
Indebtedness shall be so secured. This restriction shall not apply to:
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(a) any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in existence on the date of this Indenture or
created pursuant to an "after-acquired property" clause or similar term
in existence on the date of this Indenture or any mortgage, pledge
agreement, security agreement or other similar instrument in existence
on the date of this Indenture;
(b) any Lien upon any property or assets created at the time
of acquisition of such property or assets by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary or within one year after such time to secure all
or a portion of the purchase price for such property or assets or
Indebtedness incurred to finance such purchase price, whether such
Indebtedness was incurred prior to, at the time of or within one year
of such acquisition;
(c) any Lien upon any property or assets existing thereon at
the time of the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (whether or not the obligations secured thereby are assumed
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary);
(d) any Lien upon any property or assets of a Person existing
thereon at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary by
acquisition, merger or otherwise;
(e) the assumption by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of obligations secured by any Lien existing at the time of the
acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the property
or assets subject to such Lien or at the time of the acquisition of the
Person which owns such property or assets;
(f) any Lien on property to secure all or part of the cost of
construction or improvements thereon or to secure Indebtedness incurred
prior to, at the time of, or within one year after completion of such
construction or making of such improvements, to provide funds for any
such purpose;
(g) any Lien on any oil, gas, mineral and processing and other
plant properties to secure the payment of costs, expenses or
liabilities incurred under any lease or grant or operating or other
similar agreement in connection with or incident to the exploration,
development, maintenance or operation of such properties;
(h) any Lien arising from or in connection with a conveyance
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any production payment
with respect to oil, gas, natural gas, carbon dioxide, sulphur, helium,
coal, metals, minerals, steam, timber or other natural resources;
(i) any Lien in favor of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary;
(j) any Lien created or assumed by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness
the interest on which
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is excludable from gross income of the holder of such Indebtedness
pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor statute, for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part,
the acquisition or construction of property or assets to be used by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(k) any Lien upon property or assets of any foreign Restricted
Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness of that foreign Restricted
Subsidiary;
(l) Permitted Liens;
(m) any Lien upon any additions, improvements, replacements,
repairs, fixtures, appurtenances or component parts thereof attaching
to or required to be attached to property or assets pursuant to the
terms of any mortgage, pledge agreement, security agreement or other
similar instrument, creating a Lien upon such property or assets
permitted by clauses (a) through (l), inclusive, of this Section; or
(n) any Refinancing of any Lien, in whole or in part, that is
referred to in clauses (a) through (m), inclusive, of this Section, or
of any Indebtedness secured thereby; provided, however, that the
principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the
greater of the principal amount of Indebtedness so secured at the time
of such Refinancing and the original principal amount of Indebtedness
so secured (plus in each case the aggregate amount of premiums, other
payments, costs and expenses required to be paid or incurred in
connection with such Refinancing); provided, further, however, that
such Refinancing shall be limited to all or a part of the property
(including improvements, alterations and repairs on such property)
subject to the encumbrance so Refinanced (plus improvements,
alterations and repairs on such property).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Company
may, and may permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or
suffer to exist any other Lien upon any Principal Property to secure any
Indebtedness of the Company or any other Person (other than the Securities) that
is not excepted by clauses (a) through (n), inclusive, of this Section without
securing the Securities issued hereunder; provided that the aggregate principal
amount of all Indebtedness then outstanding secured by such other Lien and all
other similar Liens, together with all net sale proceeds from Sale-Leaseback
Transactions (excluding Sale-Leaseback Transactions permitted by clauses (a)
through (d), inclusive, of Section 3.06), does not exceed 15% of Consolidated
Net Tangible Assets.
Section 3.06 Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.
The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
engage in a Sale-Leaseback Transaction unless:
(a) such Sale-Leaseback Transaction occurs within one year
from the date of acquisition of the Principal Property subject thereto
or the date of the
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completion of construction or commencement of full operations on such
Principal Property, whichever is later;
(b) the Sale-Leaseback Transaction involves a lease for a
period, including renewals, of not more than three years;
(c) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be
entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the Principal
Property subject thereto in a principal amount equal to or exceeding
the net sale proceeds from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction without
securing the Securities; or
(d) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, within a
one-year period after such Sale-Leaseback Transaction, applies or
causes to be applied an amount not less than the net sale proceeds from
such Sale-Leaseback Transaction to (i) the repayment, redemption or
retirement of Funded Debt of the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary, or (ii) investment in another Principal Property.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Company
may, and may permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, effect any other
Sale-Leaseback Transaction that is not excepted by clauses (a) through (d),
inclusive, of this Section; provided that the net sale proceeds from such other
Sale-Leaseback Transaction, together with the aggregate principal amount of then
outstanding Indebtedness (other than the Securities) secured by Liens upon
Principal Properties not excepted by clauses (a) through (n), inclusive, of
Section 3.05, do not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
Section 3.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not cause or permit any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any
Restricted Payment if at the time of that Restricted Payment and
immediately after giving effect to that Restricted Payment:
(i) a Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be
continuing or would result from that Restricted Payment;
(ii) the Company is not able to incur an additional $1.00 of
Debt pursuant to the Consolidated Debt to EBITDA Ratio under Section
3.08; or
(iii) the aggregate amount of the Restricted Payment and all
other Restricted Payments declared or made subsequent to the date the
Securities are first issued would exceed the sum of:
(1) 100% of the Company's Operating Cash Flow accrued
subsequent to January 1, 2003 to the most recent date for
which financial information is available to the Company, taken
as one accounting period (or if the aggregate amount of
Operating Cash Flow for such period shall be a deficit, minus
100% of such deficit); plus
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(2) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including the
net fair market value of property or securities other than
cash as determined by the Company's Board of Directors in good
faith, received subsequent to the date the Securities are
first issued from any Person, other than one of the Company's
Subsidiaries, from (x) the issue or sale of the Company's
Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock)
(including, without limitation, in a merger, consolidation,
acquisition of property or any other form of transaction to
the extent the consideration involved consists of Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock)) or (y) the
issue or sale of the Company's Disqualified Capital Stock or
debt securities of the Company or those of any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries that have been converted into or
exchanged for the Company's Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Capital Stock) (including, without limitation, in
a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or any other
form of transaction to the extent the consideration involved
consists of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital
Stock)) subsequent to the date the Securities are first
issued; plus
(3) an amount equal to the sum, without duplication,
of:
a. the net reduction in Investments (other
than Permitted Investments) made by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person
resulting from repurchases, repayments or redemptions
of that Investment by that Person;
b. proceeds realized on the sale of that
Investment to an unaffiliated purchaser; and
c. proceeds representing the return of
capital (excluding dividends and distributions),
in each case received by the Company or any
of the Company's Subsidiaries; plus
(4) an amount equal to the sum without limitation, of
any amounts, including the net fair market value of property
other than cash as determined by the Company's Board of
Directors in good faith, received by the Company or any of the
Company's Subsidiaries as a capital contribution (including,
without limitation, in a merger, consolidation, acquisition of
property or any other form of transaction to the extent the
consideration involved consists of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Capital Stock)) subsequent to the date the
Securities are first issued; plus
(5) $150 million.
(b) The provisions of Section 3.07(a) shall not prohibit:
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(i) the payment of any dividend or the making of any
distribution within 60 days after the date of its declaration if the
dividend or distribution would have been permitted on the date it is
declared;
(ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement of any of the Company's Capital Stock or any warrants,
options or other rights to acquire shares of any of that Capital Stock
either:
(1) solely in exchange for shares of Qualified
Capital Stock or other warrants, options or rights to acquire
Qualified Capital Stock,
(2) through the application of the net proceeds of a
substantially concurrent sale for cash, other than to one of
the Company's Subsidiaries, of shares of Qualified Capital
Stock or warrants, options or other rights to acquire
Qualified Capital Stock, or
(3) in the case of Disqualified Capital Stock, solely
in exchange for, or through the application of the net
proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale for cash, other
than to one of the Company's Subsidiaries, of Disqualified
Capital Stock;
(iii) repurchases of Capital Stock, warrants, options or
rights to acquire Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise of
warrants, options or rights to acquire Capital Stock if such Capital
Stock, warrants, options or rights represent a portion of the exercise
price of such warrants, options or rights;
(iv) payments or distributions, directly or indirectly through
any direct or indirect parent of the Company, to dissenting
stockholders pursuant to applicable law or in connection with the
settlement or other satisfaction of legal claims made pursuant to or in
connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets;
(v) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional
shares;
(vi) payments of dividends, distributions or other amounts by
the Company to fund the payment by any of the Company's direct or
indirect parent companies or other Affiliates of administrative, legal,
financial, accounting or other similar expenses relating to such
parent's direct or indirect ownership of the Company and to pay other
corporate overhead expenses relating to such ownership interest,
including directors' fees, indemnifications and similar arrangements,
so long as such payments are fair and reasonable and are paid as and
when needed by any such direct or indirect parent company;
(vii) any transfers by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to the cash management program of El Paso and its
Subsidiaries consistent with past practices;
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(viii) any payment, guarantee or other similar arrangement by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with, related to
or arising from the Western Energy Settlement; and
(ix) any payment, guarantee or other similar arrangement by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with, related to
or arising from El Paso's $3 Billion Facility and any Refinancing
thereof and/or El Paso's Other Financings and any Refinancing thereof;
provided, however, that the Company shall not make any payment,
guarantee or other similar arrangement jointly and severally with El
Paso in connection with a Refinancing of El Paso's $3 Billion Facility
subsequent to the date that is the later of (1) August 19, 2003 and (2)
the date on which the Company is no longer jointly and severally liable
for any amounts outstanding under El Paso's $3 Billion Facility.
In determining the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made
subsequent to the date the Securities are first issued, amounts expended
pursuant to clauses (i) and (v) of Section 3.07(b) shall be included in such
calculation.
(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash)
shall be the fair market value on the date of such Restricted Payment
of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or
issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the
case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The fair market value
of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined conclusively by
the Company's Board of Directors acting in good faith.
(d) This Section 3.07 shall be of no force or effect from and
after the time the Securities are first rated at least Baa3 by Moody's
and at least BBB- by Standard & Poor's.
Section 3.08 Limitation on Incurrence of Debt.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur,
issue, assume, guaranty or otherwise become directly or indirectly
liable with respect to, contingently or otherwise (collectively,
"incur"), any Debt (including Acquired Debt), unless (x) no Default or
Event of Default would occur after giving effect on a pro forma basis
to such incurrence, and (y) the Consolidated Debt to EBITDA Ratio on
the date on which such additional Debt is incurred would have been less
than 6.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis giving effect to such
incurrence (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds
therefrom).
(b) The limitation in Section 3.08(a) shall not prohibit the
incurrence of:
(i) performance bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, insurance
obligations or bonds and other similar bonds or obligations incurred in
the ordinary course of business;
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(ii) Hedging Obligations;
(iii) Debt owed by (1) any Restricted Subsidiaries to the
Company or to any of the Company's other Subsidiaries or (2) the
Company to any of the Company's Subsidiaries;
(iv) Debt outstanding on the date of this Indenture, including
the Securities issued on the Initial Issue Date and Debt in connection
with, related to or arising from El Paso's $3 Billion Facility and any
Refinancing thereof and/or El Paso's Other Financings and any
Refinancing thereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not
incur any Debt jointly and severally with El Paso in connection with a
Refinancing of El Paso's $3 Billion Facility subsequent to the date
that is the later of (1) August 19, 2003 and (2) the date on which the
Company is no longer jointly and severally liable for any amounts
outstanding under El Paso's $3 Billion Facility;
(v) Debt issued in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are
used to Refinance Debt including, without limitation, Acquired Debt,
incurred pursuant to the Consolidated Debt to EBITDA Ratio set forth
above or under clause (iv) above or this clause (v) (collectively,
"Refinancing Debt"); provided that (1) the principal amount of such
Refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of Debt so
Refinanced (plus the premiums and other amounts to be paid, and the
out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred, in connection therewith)
and (2) the Refinancing Debt has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity
that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity
of the Debt being Refinanced;
(vi) the guarantee by the Company or one or more of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Debt of the Company or one or more of its
Restricted Subsidiaries that is not prohibited by another provision of
this Indenture; or
(vii) other Debt in an aggregate principal amount at any one
time outstanding not to exceed $150 million.
(c) (i) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, incur
any guarantee with respect to any Debt of any of its Affiliates (other
than Debt of the Company, one or more Subsidiaries of the Company or of
the Company and one or more of its Subsidiaries) and (ii) the Company
shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, incur any guarantee with respect to any Debt of any of the
Company's Affiliates (other than Debt of the Company, one or more
Subsidiaries of the Company, of the Company and one or more of its
Subsidiaries, Debt in connection with, related to or arising from El
Paso's $3 Billion Facility and any Refinancing thereof, or Debt
outstanding on the date hereof in connection with El Paso's Other
Financings and any Refinancing thereof).
(d) This Section 3.08 shall be of no force or effect from and
after the time the Securities are first rated at least Baa3 by Moody's
and at least BBB- by Standard & Poor's.
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Section 3.09 Limitation on Participation in El Paso's Cash Management
Program.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, participate in El
Paso's and its Subsidiaries' cash management program if any default
occurs or exists under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
Debt for money borrowed or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any Debt for money borrowed, in each case, by El Paso or any
of its Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by El Paso
or any of its Subsidiaries) whether such Debt or guarantee now exists,
or is created after the date of this Indenture, if such default:
(i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or
premium, if any, on such Debt of El Paso prior to the expiration of the
grace period provided in such Debt of El Paso on the date of such
default (a "Payment Default"); or
(ii) results in the acceleration (without cure or revocation
within five Business Days) of Debt of El Paso prior to its express
maturity
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Debt of
El Paso, together with the principal amount of any other such
Debt of El Paso under which there has been a Payment Default
or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$50 million or more, until such acceleration has been cured or
revoked or such payment of such Debt of El Paso has been made
in full.
(b) This Section 3.09 shall be of no force or effect from and
after the time the Securities are first rated at least Baa3 by Moody's
and at least BBB- by Standard & Poor's.
Section 3.10 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist
any transaction or series of related transactions (including the
purchase, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or exchange of
any property or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit
of, any of the Company's Affiliates (an "Affiliate Transaction"),
unless:
(i) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are:
(1) set forth in writing and
(2) no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that
could be obtained in a comparable arm's-length transaction
with a Person that is not one of the
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Company's Affiliates or, if there is no such comparable
transaction, on terms that are fair and reasonable to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
(ii) if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments
or value in excess of $25 million, the Company's Board of Directors
approves such Affiliate Transaction and, in its good faith judgment,
believes that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i)(2) of
this Section 3.10(a), and
(iii) if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate
payments or value in excess of $100 million, the Company shall obtain a
written opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor to the effect
that the consideration to be paid or received in connection with such
Affiliate Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be.
(b) Notwithstanding the preceding limitation, the following
shall not be Affiliate Transactions:
(i) any transaction or series of related transactions between
the Company and one or more of its Subsidiaries or between two or more
of its Subsidiaries;
(ii) any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to
Section 3.07 or any Permitted Investment;
(iii) any employment agreement or other employee compensation
plan or arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(iv) indemnities of the Company's or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries' officers, directors and employees permitted by bylaw or
statutory provisions;
(v) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to
the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' directors;
(vi) Affiliate Transactions and arrangements in effect on the
Initial Issue Date of the Securities, including any modifications,
extensions or renewals thereof that do not adversely affect the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(vii) Affiliate Transactions in connection with, related to or
arising from the Western Energy Settlement, provided, that the
Company's Board of Directors shall approve any amendment, supplement or
modification of the Western Energy Settlement on terms that are fair
and reasonable to the Company; and
(viii) Affiliate Transactions in connection with, related to
or arising from El Paso's $3 Billion Facility and any Refinancing
thereof and/or El Paso's Other Financings and any Refinancing thereof.
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(c) This Section 3.10 shall be of no force or effect from and
after the time the Securities are first rated at least Baa3 by Moody's
and at least BBB- by Standard & Poor's.
Section 3.11 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
The Company covenants hereby (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, (as a defense or otherwise) or
in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or
extension law or any usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the
Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any,
Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on or with respect to the Securities as
contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or
which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the
extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all
benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder,
delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but
shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law
had been enacted.
ARTICLE IV
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE
Section 4.01 Limitation on Mergers and Consolidations.
(a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any
other Person or sell, lease or transfer all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any Person, unless:
(i) in the case of a merger, the Company is the surviving
entity, or the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or the Person which acquires by sale or transfer, or
which leases, all or substantially all of the properties and assets of
the Company shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental
hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the
performance or observance of every covenant and condition of this
Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists; and
(iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or lease and the supplemental
indenture required in connection with such transaction comply with this
Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating
to such transaction have been complied with.
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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary
may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its
properties and assets to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary.
Section 4.02 Successors Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into, any other Person or any sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially
all of the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 4.01,
the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is
merged or to which such sale, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named
originally as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease,
the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under
this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE V
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 5.01 Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of
any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected
by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest or Liquidated
Damages, if any, upon any Security of that series when it becomes due
and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any other term,
covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a
term, covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose
breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which
has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of
a series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given,
by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to
the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the outstanding Securities of that series a written notice
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and
stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
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(d) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any
Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the
entry of any order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii)
consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
substantially all of its property, or (iv) makes a general assignment
for the benefit of its creditors;
(e) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the
Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the
Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iii)
orders the liquidation of the Company; and the order or decree remains
unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or
(f) there shall be a default under any bond, debenture, note
or other evidence of debt for money borrowed or under any mortgage,
indenture or other instrument under which there may be issued or by
which there may be secured or evidenced any debt for money borrowed by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or under any
guarantee of payment by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of debt for money borrowed (other than a default under any
debt of El Paso or one or more Subsidiaries of El Paso (other than the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) guaranteed by one or
more of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such debt or
guarantee now exists or shall hereafter be created, and the effect of
such default is to result in such debt becoming due prior to its stated
maturity; provided, however, that no Event of Default under this clause
(f) shall exist if all such defaults do not relate to such debt or such
guarantees with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $25 million
at the time outstanding; and provided further, that if such default
under such bond, debenture, note or other evidence of debt for borrowed
money or any mortgage, indenture or other instrument shall be cured by
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary, or be waived by the holders
of such debt, in each case as may be permitted by such bond, debenture,
note or other evidence of debt for borrowed money or any mortgage,
indenture or other instrument, then the Event of Default under this
clause (f) by reason of such default shall be deemed likewise to have
been thereupon cured or waived.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01 and Section 6.02, the Trustee
shall not be charged with knowledge of an Event of Default unless written notice
thereof shall have been given to a Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee by the Company, the Paying Agent, any Holder or an agent
of any Holder.
Section 5.02 Acceleration.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series
(other than an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.01
hereof with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may by
notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
then outstanding Securities of that series may, by notice to the Company and the
Trustee, and the Trustee shall, upon the request of such Holders, declare the
principal of, premium, if any, on, accrued and unpaid
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interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all then outstanding Securities
of that series (if not then due and payable) to be due and payable, and upon any
such declaration the same shall become and be immediately due and payable. If an
Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.01 hereof with
respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, on, accrued
and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all Securities then
outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without
any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
the Securities of a series has been made and before a judgment for payment of
the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article V,
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of
that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and
annul such acceleration and its consequences if:
(a) all existing Events of Default, other than the non-payment
of the principal of the Securities of a series which has become due
solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived;
(b) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful,
interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal,
which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of
acceleration, has been paid; and
(c) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or
decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 5.03 Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue
any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any,
Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Securities of the affected series
or to enforce the performance of any provision of such Securities, this
Indenture or any Registration Rights Agreement.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing
upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a
waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative
to the extent permitted by law.
Section 5.04 Waiver of Existing Defaults.
Subject to Section 5.07 and Section 8.02, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the affected series by notice
to the Trustee may waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or
exchange offer for such Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of
such Securities, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made
to all Holders of such Securities then outstanding on equal terms),
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except (a) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
principal of, or premium, if any, or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on
such Securities or (b) a continuing Default in respect of a provision that under
Section 8.02 hereof cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder
affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.05 Control by Majority.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the
affected series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on it hereunder. However, the Trustee may refuse to
follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that
the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders,
or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that
the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not
inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the
Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole
discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such
action.
Section 5.06 Limitations on Suits.
Subject to Section 5.07 hereof, a Holder may pursue a remedy with
respect to this Indenture or the Securities only if:
(a) such Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Securities of the affected series then outstanding make a written
request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of such Securities do not give the Trustee a direction
inconsistent with the request.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another
Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.
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Section 5.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of, and premium, if any,
and interest on the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in
the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 5.01
hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment
in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the
amount of principal and premium, if any, and interest (and Liquidated Damages,
if any) remaining unpaid on the Securities of the affected series, and interest
on overdue principal, premium, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any and, to
the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest (and Liquidated Damages, if
any), and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 5.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers
or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member,
voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or
advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial
proceedings relative to the Company or its creditors or properties and shall be
entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Custodian in any such
judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to
the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to
it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 6.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof out of the estate in
any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall
be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions,
dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders may be
entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan
of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on
behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.
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Section 5.10 Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article V, it shall
pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 6.07
hereof;
Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the
Securities of the affected series for principal, premium, if any,
Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such
Securities for principal, premium, if any, Liquidated Damages, if any,
and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company.
The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record
date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article V.
Section 5.11 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as a trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due
regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party
litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a
Holder pursuant to Section 5.07 hereof, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more
than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of the affected series then
outstanding.
ARTICLE VI
TRUSTEE
Section 6.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by
this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such
exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are
specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the
Trustee; and
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(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
this Indenture. However, with respect to certificates or opinions
specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it,
the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine
whether or not, on their face, they appear to conform substantially to
the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its
own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own
willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b)
of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that
the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a
direction received by it pursuant to Section 5.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is
subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee
to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the
Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by
the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust
for the payment of the principal of, and premium if any, and Liquidated
Damages, if any, and interest on the Securities.
Section 6.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may rely conclusively on any document (whether
in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need
not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in
good faith in reliance on such
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Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult
with counsel of its own selection and the advice of such counsel or any
Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents or attorneys and shall
not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or
attorney appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or
within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture,
any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be
sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety
with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its
powers under this Indenture.
(g) The Trustee's immunities and protections from liability
and its right to indemnification in connection with the performance of
its duties under this Indenture shall extend and be enforceable by the
Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and shall extend to the
Trustee's officers, directors, agents and employees. Such immunities
and protections and right to indemnity, together with the Trustee's
right to compensation, shall survive the Trustee's resignation or
removal, the discharge of this Indenture and final payment of the
Securities.
(h) The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions
permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or
duty to do so.
(i) Except for information provided by the Trustee concerning
the Trustee, the Trustee shall have no responsibility for any
information in any offering memorandum or other disclosure material
distributed with respect to the Securities, and the Trustee shall have
no responsibility for compliance with any state or federal securities
laws in connection with the Securities.
(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an
Officers' Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or
titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions
pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers' Certificate may be signed
by any person authorized to sign an Officers' Certificate, including
any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate
previously delivered and not superseded.
(k) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request
or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs,
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expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance
with such request or direction.
Section 6.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any of
its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any
Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is subject to
Section 6.10 and Section 6.11 hereof.
Section 6.04 Trustee's Disclaimer.
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company's
use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or upon
the Company's direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible
for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than
the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein
or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 6.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and it is
actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail
to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it
occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of
principal of, or premium, if any, Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any
Security, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of
its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is
in the interests of Holders.
Section 6.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders.
On or before July 15 of each year, beginning with July 15, 2004, the
Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of a date convenient to
the Trustee no more than 60 nor less than 45 days prior thereto, that complies
with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA
Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting
date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA
Section 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required
by TIA Sections 313(c) and 313(d).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be
filed with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities
are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee if and when the
Securities are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.
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Section 6.07 Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time such
compensation as agreed to by the Company and the Trustee, for its acceptance of
this Indenture and its services hereunder. The Trustee's compensation shall not
be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. Subject
to the further provisions of this Section 6.07, the Company agrees to reimburse
the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses
incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation,
disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Company agrees to fully indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor
Trustee and their agents for and to hold them harmless against any and all loss,
liability, damage, claims, or expense (including taxes, other than taxes based
upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its
duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable costs and expenses of
defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder
or any other Person), except as set forth in the next paragraph. The Trustee
shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.
The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the
defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Company shall pay the
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any
settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or
indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its own
negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.
To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section 6.07,
the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property
held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of,
and premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Securities. Such lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 5.01(d) or Section 5.01(e) hereof occurs, the
expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute
expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section 6.07 shall survive the termination of
this Indenture.
Section 6.08 Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor
Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section 6.08.
The Trustee may resign and be discharged from the trust hereby created
by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the then outstanding
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Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company.
The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an
order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any
Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee
or its property; or
(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may appoint
a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the
Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding
may petition (at the expense of the Company) any court of competent jurisdiction
at the expense of the Company for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.10 hereof, any Holder may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and
the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property
held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for
in Section 6.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to
this Section 6.08 hereof, the obligations of the Company under Section 6.07
hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 6.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
Subject to Section 6.10 hereof, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or
converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust
business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further
act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not
delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or
consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and
deliver the Securities so
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authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such
Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the
successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the
full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided
that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
Section 6.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a
corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States,
any state thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to
exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination
by federal or state (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or
be a Subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual
report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is
subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) during the
period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall
prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the
penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).
Section 6.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA
Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section
311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA
Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE VII
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
Section 7.01 Discharge of Indenture.
Upon the request of the Company, this Indenture will cease to be of
further effect and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, will execute
proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the Securities
and this Indenture when:
(a) either:
(i) all the Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
(other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been
replaced or paid and Securities that have been subject to defeasance
pursuant to Section 7.02 or 7.03) have been delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation; or
(ii) all Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation:
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(1) have become due and payable by the mailing of a
notice of redemption or otherwise;
(2) will become due and payable within one year; or
(3) are to be called for redemption within 12 months
under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name,
and at the reasonable expense, of the Company;
and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee funds in trust for the purpose in
an amount sufficient to pay and discharge, the entire Debt on
the Securities, including, if any, Liquidated Damages with
respect to the Securities, not theretofore delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any)
and interest on the Securities to the date of such deposit (in
case of Securities that have become due and payable) or to the
Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(iii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums
payable under this Indenture by the Company; and
(iv) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided in this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and
discharge of the Securities and this Indenture have been complied with.
After such delivery, the Trustee upon request of the Company shall
acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company's obligations under the
Securities and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified
below.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company in Sections 6.07, 7.05 and 7.06 shall survive such
satisfaction and discharge.
Section 7.02 Legal Defeasance.
The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have its
obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding Securities on a date the
conditions set forth in Section 7.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal
Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company
will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the
outstanding Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under
such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and
the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, subject to Section 7.06,
execute instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee
and Company acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall
survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of
Holders of outstanding Securities to receive solely from the trust funds
described in Section 7.04 and as more fully set forth in
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such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (b) the Company's
obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04,
2.05, 2.06, 2,07, 2.08, 2.11 and 3.02, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties,
and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to,
the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.07) and the Company's obligations in
connection therewith and (d) this Article VII.
Subject to compliance with this Article VII, the Company may exercise
its option under this Section 7.02 with respect to the Securities
notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 7.03 below with
respect to the Securities.
Section 7.03 Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have its
obligations under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 3.07, 3.08, 3.09 and 3.10 released with
respect to the outstanding Securities on a date the conditions set forth in
Section 7.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"). For this
purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding
Securities, the Company may fail to comply with and shall have no liability in
respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant,
whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to
any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any
other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply
shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.01, but,
except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities
shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company's exercise of the
option in this Section 7.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Section 7.04, Sections 5.01(c), (d) and (e) shall not constitute Events
of Default.
Notwithstanding any discharge or release of any obligations under this
Indenture pursuant to Section 7.02 or this Section 7.03, the Company's
obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 6.07, 7.05, 7.06 and 7.08
shall survive until such time as the Securities have been paid in full.
Thereafter, the Company's obligations in Sections 6.07, 7.05 and 7.08 shall
survive.
Section 7.04 Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 7.02 or
Section 7.03 to the outstanding Securities:
(a) (i) the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be
deposited in trust for the benefit of the Holders with the Trustee or a
Paying Agent or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company,
under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance
satisfactory to the Trustee and any such Paying Agent, (x) money in an
amount sufficient, or (y) U.S. Government Obligations that shall be
payable as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times
as are sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants or Independent Financial Advisors
expressed
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in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (without
consideration of any reinvestment of such interest), or (z) a
combination thereof in an amount, sufficient to pay the principal of
(and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, to Stated Maturity (or
redemption) on such Securities, on the scheduled due dates therefor,
(ii) the trustee of the irrevocable trust has been irrevocably
instructed to pay such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government
Obligations to the Trustee and (iii) the Trustee or Paying Agent shall
have been irrevocably instructed in writing to apply the deposited
money and the proceeds from U.S. Government Obligations in accordance
with the terms of this Indenture and the terms of the Securities to the
payment of principal of and interest on the Securities;
(b) the deposit described in clause (a) above will not result
in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, any other
material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by
which it is bound;
(c) no Default has occurred and is continuing (i) as of the
date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing
of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien
securing such borrowing) or (ii) insofar as clause (d) or (e) of
Section 5.01 is concerned at any time during the period ending on the
91st day after the date of such deposit or, if longer, ending on the
day following the expiration of the longest preference period
applicable to the Company in respect of such deposit (it being
understood that the condition in this clause (c) is a condition
subsequent and will not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of
such period);
(d) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums
currently due and payable by the Company under this Indenture and under
the Securities;
(e) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the termination by
the Company of its obligations have been complied with;
(f) in the case of an election under Section 7.02 or 7.03, the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income,
gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result
of such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to
United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance had not occurred, and such opinion,
in the case of Legal Defeasance under Section 7.02, must refer to and
be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in
applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the
date of this Indenture. The defeasance would in each case be effective
when 91 days have passed since the date of the deposit in trust.
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Section 7.05 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held
in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
All money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds
thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.04 in respect of the
outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in
accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the
payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent, to the Holders of such
Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal,
premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 7.04 or the principal, premium, if any, and
interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding
Securities.
Anything in this Article VII to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon a request of
the Company any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in
Section 7.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.
Section 7.06 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with Section 7.01, 7.02 or 7.03 by reason
of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or
governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Securities
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
this Article VII until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to
apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section
7.01; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Securities because of the
reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the
rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money
or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Section 7.07 Moneys Held by Paying Agent.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture
shall, upon written demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee, or if
sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 7.04, to the Company
upon a written request of the Company,
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and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability
with respect to such moneys.
Section 7.08 Moneys Held by Trustee.
Any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held
by the Company in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any,
or interest on any Securities that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the
Holder of such Securities for two years after the date upon which the principal
of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Securities shall have respectively
become due and payable shall be repaid to the Company upon a written request of
the Company, or if such moneys are then held by the Company in trust, such
moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Securities
entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general
creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof, and all liability of
the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall
thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before
being required to make any such repayment, shall, at the expense of the Company,
either mail to each Holder affected, at the address shown in the register of the
Securities maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.03, or cause to be
published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the
English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general
circulation in the City of
New York, New York, a notice that such money remains
unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than
30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of
such moneys then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the
Company or the release of any money held in trust by the Company, Holders
entitled to the money must look only to the Company for payment as general
creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 8.01 Without Consent of Holders.
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or
any of the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the
consent of any Holder:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to comply with Section 4.01 and Section 4.02 hereof;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or
in place of certificated Securities;
(d) to add any additional Events of Default;
(e) to provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder of
a successor trustee in compliance with the provisions hereof;
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(f) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements
under this Indenture;
(g) to comply with any requirement in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(h) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection
with qualifying this Indenture under the TIA;
(i) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of
the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon
the Company; or
(j) to make any change that does not adversely affect the
rights hereunder of any Holder in any material respect.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution of any such
supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents
described in Section 8.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the
execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of
this Section 8.01 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of
each Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment,
supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any
defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of
any such supplemental indenture.
Section 8.02 With Consent of Holders.
Except as provided below in this Section 8.02, the Company and the
Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities with the
written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer
or exchange offer for the Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of
the Securities; provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to
all Holders of the Securities then outstanding on equal terms) of the Holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of the
Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution of any such
supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the
consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the
documents described in Section 8.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the
Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment,
supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the
substance thereof.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then
outstanding may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with
any provision of this Indenture or the Securities (including waivers obtained in
connection with a tender offer
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or exchange offer for the Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of
the Securities, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to
all Holders of the Securities then outstanding on equal terms).
Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement
or waiver under this Section may not:
(a) reduce the percentage of principal amount of the
Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or
waiver;
(b) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of
interest, including default interest, on any Security;
(c) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of
any Security or alter the premium or other provisions with respect to
redemption specified in the Securities;
(d) change the place of payment or make any Security payable
in money other than that stated in the Security;
(e) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any
Security pursuant to Section 5.07 and Section 5.08 hereof, except as
limited by Section 5.06 hereof;
(f) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of
the Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of
this Indenture pursuant to Section 5.04 or Section 5.07 hereof or this
clause of this Section 8.02; or
(g) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the
Securities.
The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or
sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the
Company to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be
subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record
of the Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of
a date identified by the Trustee in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance
with the terms of this Indenture.
Section 8.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in
form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 8.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
A consent to an amendment (which includes a supplement) or waiver by a
Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a
Security or portion
-57-
of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security,
even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such
Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Security or
portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation at
any time prior to (but not after) the date the Trustee receives an Officers'
Certificate certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Securities have consented (and not theretofore revoked such consent) to the
amendment, supplement or waiver. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes
effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment or
waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is
fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding
paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly
designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to
such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given,
whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No
consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date
unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of the Securities required
hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been
given and not revoked within such 90-day period.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall
bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a)
through (g) of Section 8.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment or waiver shall
bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.
Section 8.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may
require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may
place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and
return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so
determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee
shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to
make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the
validity of such amendment.
Section 8.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee shall sign any amendment, waiver or supplemental indenture
authorized pursuant to this Article VIII if the amendment, waiver or
supplemental indenture does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities
or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign
it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, waiver or supplemental
indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and subject to Section 6.01 hereof, shall
be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers'
Certificate, as conclusive evidence that such amendment, waiver or supplemental
-58-
indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not
inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company in
accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE IX
REDEMPTION
Section 9.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to the redemption
provisions specified in the Securities, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at
least 45 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date (unless the
Trustee consents in writing to a shorter period of at least 30 days prior to the
Redemption Date), an Officers' Certificate setting forth the Redemption Date,
the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed and the Redemption Price.
Section 9.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee
shall select the Securities to be redeemed on a pro rata basis, by lot or by any
other method that the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem fair and
appropriate. The particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected, unless
otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to
the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Securities not
previously called for redemption.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the
Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Security selected for
partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Securities and
portions of them selected shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of
$1,000. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this
Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions
of Securities called for redemption.
Section 9.03 Notices to Holders.
(a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a
Redemption Date, the Company shall mail in conformity with Section
10.02 a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Securities are to be
redeemed.
The Notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including
CUSIP numbers, if any) and shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion
of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after
the Redemption Date,
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upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued;
(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(v) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered
to the Paying Agent at the address specified in such notice to collect
the Redemption Price;
(vi) that unless the Company defaults in making the redemption
payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue
on and after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the
Holders is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to
the Paying Agent of the Securities; and
(vii) the aggregate principal amount of Securities being
redeemed.
If any of the Securities to be redeemed is in the form of a Global
Security, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to
accord with the procedures of the Depositary applicable to redemptions.
(b) At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the
notice required in Section 9.03(a) in the Company's name; provided,
however, that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, at least 45
days prior to the Redemption Date (unless the Trustee consents in
writing to a shorter period at least 30 days prior to the Redemption
Date), an Officers' Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such
notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as
provided in Section 9.03(a).
Section 9.04 Effect of Notices of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed pursuant to Section 9.03,
Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date
at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities
shall be paid out at the Redemption Price.
Section 9.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.
At or prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date,
the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all Securities to be redeemed on that
date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall return to the Company any money not
required for that purpose less the expenses of the Trustee as provided herein.
If the Company complies with the preceding paragraph, interest on the
Securities or portions thereof to be redeemed (whether or not such Securities
are presented for payment) will cease to accrue on the applicable Redemption
Date. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
because of the failure of the Company to
-60-
comply with the preceding paragraph, then interest will be paid on the unpaid
principal and premium, if any, from the Redemption Date until such principal and
premium are paid and, to the extent lawful, on any interest not paid on such
unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities and in
Section 3.01.
Section 9.06 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company
shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder, at the expense of
the Company, a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion
of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA,
the required provision shall control. If this Indenture excludes any provision
of the TIA that is required to be included, such provision shall be deemed
included herein.
Section 10.02 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other
is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class
mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or
overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other's address:
If to the Company:
El Paso Natural Gas Company
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
If to the Trustee:
Wilmington Trust Company
Xxxxxx Square North
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Each of the Company and the Trustee by notice to the other may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
-61-
All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given:
at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to
the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, notices to the Trustee shall be effective only
upon receipt.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder's address shown on the register kept by the
Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above
within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee
receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall
mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to
the Trustee or the Company by Holders, shall be in writing, except as set forth
below, and in the English language.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by
reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by
this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the
approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.
Section 10.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The
Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of
TIA Section 312(c).
Section 10.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee,
furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers' Certificate (which shall include the
statements set forth in Section 10.05 hereof) stating that, in the
opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any,
provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have
been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements
set forth in Section 10.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied
with.
-62-
Section 10.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has
made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 10.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of
Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set
reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 10.07 Legal Holidays.
If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may
be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday,
and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
Section 10.08 No Recourse Against Others.
A director, officer, employee or stockholder of the Company or of any
Affiliate as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the
Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation by reason of his,
her or its status as such. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and
releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 10.09 Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUCTED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT
MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE
-00-
XXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXX IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES AND
IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW,
TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING
OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT
AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT
HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO THE SERVICE
OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING
BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE
PREPAID, TO THE COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME
EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING
HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY HOLDER OF SECURITIES TO SERVE PROCESS IN
ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE
PROCEED AGAINST THE COMPANY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
Section 10.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or
debt agreement of the Company, or any other Subsidiary of the Company. Any such
indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 10.11 Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities
shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall
bind its successors.
Section 10.12 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.13 Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each
signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.
-64-
Section 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the
Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
-65-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Company:
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXX
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
Trustee:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ XXXXXX XXXXXXXX
---------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
-66-
EXHIBIT A
[FACE OF SECURITY]
[Global Securities Legend]
[UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN
DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE
DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO
THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY
SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR
DEPOSITARY. THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY SHALL ACT AS THE DEPOSITARY UNTIL A
SUCCESSOR SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTRAR. UNLESS THIS
CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY (55 XXXXX XXXXXX, XXX XXXX, XXX XXXX) ("XXX"), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.](1)
[Transfer Restricted Securities Legend]
[(1) THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF
1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE
EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE
SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF
SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
(2) THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY
THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED,
ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS
A QUALIFIED
----------
(1) This paragraph should be included only if the Security is a Global
Security.
A-1
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED
STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (IV) PURSUANT TO
AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (V) TO AN
INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR
(7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE
IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH
OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF
ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT
HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE
RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE.
(3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY OR
AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND; AND
(4) AGREES THAT, BEFORE THE HOLDER OFFERS, SELLS OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERS
THIS SECURITY,
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY MAY REQUIRE THE HOLDER OF THIS
SECURITY TO DELIVER A WRITTEN OPINION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION
THAT IT REASONABLY REQUIRES TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED
STATES.
AS USED IN THIS SECURITY, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "U.S.
PERSON" AND "UNITED STATES" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.(2)
----------
(2) These paragraphs should be included only if the Security is a Transfer
Restricted Security.
A-2
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
7 5/8% Series [A/B] Note due 2010
CUSIP [ ]
No. [ ] $[ ]
El Paso Natural Gas Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
for value received promises to pay to [ ] or registered
assigns, the principal sum of [ ] United States Dollars [or such
greater or lesser amount as is indicated on the Schedule of Exchanges of
Securities on the other side of this Security*] on August 1, 2010.
Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1
Record Dates: January 15 and July 15
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
----------
* This phrase should be included only if the Security is a Global
Security.
A-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be signed
manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------
Title:
----------------------------
Certificate of Authentication:
Dated:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the
Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
By:
--------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
A-4
[REVERSE OF SECURITY]
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
7 5/8% Series [A/B] Note due 2010
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of 7 5/8% Series [A/B]
Notes due August 1, 2010 (the "Securities") of El Paso Natural Gas Company, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company").
1. Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal
amount of this Security at 7 5/8% per annum from [ ] until maturity. The Company
will pay interest semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year (each an
"Interest Payment Date"), or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next
succeeding Business Day. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most
recent Interest Payment Date on which interest has been paid or, if no interest
has been paid, from [ ]; provided that if there is no existing Default in the
payment of interest, and if this Security is authenticated between a record date
referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date,
interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided,
further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be [ ] and interest accrued
from [ ] shall be payable on such date. Further, the Company shall pay interest
on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate
equal to the interest rate then in effect; it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from
time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. Method of Payment. The Company will pay interest on the Securities
(except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of
Securities at the close of business on the record date next preceding the
Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled after such record
date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender this
Security to a Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any.
The Company will pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the
Securities in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the
Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium, if
any, Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust
Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated
Security (including principal, premium, if any, Liquidated Damages, if any, and
interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof;
provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire
transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the
United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written
notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such
account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for
payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
A-5
3. Ranking. The Securities are senior unsecured obligations of the
Company.
4. Optional Redemption. The Securities may be redeemed, in whole or
part, at the Company's option at any time in whole, or from time to time in
part, prior to August 1, 2007, at the Make-Whole Price (as defined below) in
accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
"Make-Whole Price" means an amount equal to the greater of
(i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities then outstanding to
be redeemed, and
(ii) as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, the sum of the
present values of (A) the redemption price of the Securities at August 1, 2007
(as set forth below) and (B) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from
the Redemption Date to August 1, 2007 (not including any portion of such
payments of interest accrued as of the Redemption Date) discounted back to the
Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 75 basis points,
plus, in the case of both (i) and (ii), accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Redemption Date. Unless the Company defaults
in the payment of the Make-Whole Price, on and after the applicable Redemption
Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities to be redeemed.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the U.S. Treasury security selected
by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the
remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the
time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in
pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining term of the Securities.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any Redemption Date,
(i) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption
Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations, or (ii) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations.
"Independent Investment Banker" means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC and their respective successors at the Company's
option, or, if such firms or the successors, if any, to such firms, as the case
may be, are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an
independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the
Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, at the Company's option, and three additional
primary U.S. government securities dealers in New York City (each a "Primary
Treasury Dealer") selected by the Company, and their respective successors;
provided, however, that if any such firm or any such successor, as the case may
be, shall cease to be a primary U.S.
A-6
government securities dealer in New York City, the Company shall substitute
therefore another Primary Treasury Dealer.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by
the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (i) the
yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately
preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release
designated "H.15(519)" or any successor publication that is published weekly by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields
on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant
maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity
corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three
months before or after the Stated Maturity, yields for the two published
maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be
determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from
such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if
such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week
preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per
annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable
Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated
on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date.
The notice of redemption with respect to the foregoing redemption need
not set forth the Make-Whole Price but only the manner of calculation thereof.
The Company shall notify the Trustee of the Make-Whole Price with respect to any
redemption promptly after the calculation thereof, and the Trustee shall not be
responsible for such calculation.
Beginning on August 1, 2007, the Company may redeem the Securities, in
whole or in part, at the Company's option at any time or from time to time, at
the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount),
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
applicable Redemption Date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on
each August 1 of the years indicated below:
Year Percentage
---- ----------
2007 103.813%
2008 101.906%
2009 and thereafter 100.000%
A-7
5. Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wilmington Trust Company (the
"Trustee"), the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and
Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or
additional paying agent without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
6. Indenture. The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture
dated as of July 21, 2003 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified form
time to time, the "Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of
the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.
Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of execution of the
Indenture (the "TIA"). The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders
are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. The
Securities are unsecured general obligations of the Company. Capitalized terms
used but not defined in this Security have the respective meanings given to such
terms in the Indenture. The Company may issue Additional Securities under the
Indenture subject to compliance with Section 3.08 thereof, unlimited in
aggregate principal amount.
7. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Securities are in registered
form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000. The transfer of Securities may be registered and Securities may be
exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may
require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and
transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by
the Indenture. The Registrar need not exchange or register the transfer of any
Securities during the period between a record date and the corresponding
Interest Payment Date.
8. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Security shall be
treated as its owner for all purposes.
9. Amendments and Waivers. Subject to certain exceptions and
limitations, the Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with
the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding Securities, and compliance in a particular instance by the
Company with any provision of the Indenture may be waived (other than certain
provisions, including any continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment
of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities) by the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then
outstanding in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. Without the consent
of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture
or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; to
comply with the Indenture in the case of the merger, consolidation or sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; to
provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated
Securities; to add any additional Events of Default; to provide for the
acceptance under the Indenture of a successor trustee in compliance with the
provisions thereof; to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements under
the Indenture; to comply with any requirements in order to effect or maintain
the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; to comply with any
requirements of the SEC
A-8
of the Indenture under the TIA; to comply with any requirements of the SEC in
connection with qualifying the Indenture under the TIA; to add to the covenants
of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any power
conferred upon the Company; or to make any change that does not adversely affect
the rights of any Holder in any material respect.
The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or
sought pursuant to any provision of the Indenture (and the obligation of the
Company to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be
subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record
of any Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of
a date identified by the Trustee in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture.
Without the consent of each Holder affected, the Company may not (i)
reduce the percentage of principal amount of Securities whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver, (ii) reduce the rate of or change
the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security,
(iii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security or
alter the premium or other provisions with respect to redemption, (iv) change
the place of payment or make any Security payable in money other than that
stated in the Security, (v) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on
any Security, (vi) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of
Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the
Indenture or (vii) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment
of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities.
10. Defaults and Remedies. Generally, an Event of Default occurs if:
(i) the Company defaults in the payment of any interest or Liquidated Damages,
if any, on any Security when it becomes due and payable, and the default
continues for 30 days; (ii) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal
of, or premium, if any, on, any Security at its Maturity; (iii) the Company
defaults in the performance, or breach, of any other term, covenant or warranty
of the Company in the Indenture, and the default or breach continues for a
period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail,
to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series
a written notice specifying the default or breach and requiring it to be
remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; (iv)
certain events of bankruptcy or liquidation with respect to the Company occur;
or (v) the Company defaults under any debt or under any instrument under which
there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any debt for
money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or under any
guarantee of payment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of
debt for money borrowed (other than a default under any debt of El Paso or one
or more Subsidiaries of El Paso (other than the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) guaranteed by one or more of the Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries), whether such debt or guarantee now exists or shall hereafter be
created, and the effect of such default is
A-9
to result in such debt becoming due prior to its stated maturity; provided,
however, that no Event of Default under this clause (v) shall exist if all such
defaults do not relate to such debt or such guarantees with an aggregate
principal amount in excess of $25 million at the time outstanding; and provided
further, that if such default under such bond, debenture, note or other evidence
of debt for borrowed money or mortgage, indenture or other instrument shall be
cured by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary, or be waived by the holders
of such debt, in each case as may be permitted by such bond, debenture, note or
other evidence of debt for borrowed money or any mortgage, indenture or other
instrument, then the Event of Default under this clause (v) by reason of such
default shall be deemed likewise to have been thereupon cured or waived.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
clause (iv) above) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, by notice to the
Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Securities may declare by notice to the Company and the Trustee, and
the Trustee shall, upon the request of such Holders the principal of, premium,
if any, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all
then outstanding Securities (if not then due and payable) to be immediately due
and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and be
immediately due and payable. The amount due and payable upon the acceleration of
any Security is equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus premium, if
any, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date
of payment. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as
provided in the Indenture. If an Event of Default specified in clause (iv) above
with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, on,
accrued and unpaid interest on, and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all
Securities then outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and
payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee
or any Holder.
11. Discharge Prior to Maturity. The Indenture shall be discharged and
canceled upon the payment of all of the Securities and shall be discharged
except for certain obligations upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee of
funds or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient for such payment.
12. Trustee Dealings with the Company. The Trustee, in its individual
or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.
13. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or
stockholder, as such, of the Company or of any Affiliate shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the
Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation by reason of his, her or its status as such. Each
Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the
Securities.
A-10
14. Authentication. This Security shall not be valid until
authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
15. CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities as a convenience to the Holders of
the Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as
printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed thereon.
16. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).
17. Governing Law. THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN
THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN
THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION
OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES AND
IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW,
TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING
OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT
AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT
HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO THE SERVICE
OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING
BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE
PREPAID, TO THE COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME
EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NOTHING
HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY HOLDER OF SECURITIES TO SERVE PROCESS IN
ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE
PROCEED AGAINST THE COMPANY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
A-11
18. [Additional Rights and Obligations of Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of
Securities under the Indenture, Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall
have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement applicable to
such Securities. Each Holder of a Transfer Restricted Security , by his
acceptance thereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of such
Registration Rights Agreement, including without limitation the obligations of
the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the
Company to the extent provided therein.].**
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture. Request may be made to:
El Paso Natural Gas Company
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
----------
** This paragraph should be included only if the Security is a Transfer
Restricted Security.
A-12
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer
this Security to
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's social security or tax I.D. number)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint ___________________________________________________ as
agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him.
Date:
----------------------------
Your Signature:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Security)
Signature Guarantee:
------------------------------------------------------------
(Participant in a Recognized Signature Guaranty Medallion Program)
In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this
certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule
144(k) under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance
of such Securities and the last date, if any, on which such Securities were
owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms
that such Securities are being transferred as specified below:
CHECK ONE
(1) [ ] to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof; or
(2) [ ] to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for
its own account or for the account of a qualified
institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such
transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each
case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933; or
(3) [ ] outside the United States to a "foreign person" in
compliance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the
Securities Act of 1933; or
(4) [ ] to an institutional "accredited investor" (within the
meaning of subparagraph (a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule 501
under the Securities Act of 1933); or
A-13
(5) [ ] pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933; or
(6) [ ] pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, provided by Rule 144
thereunder.
and unless the box below is checked, the undersigned confirms that such Security
is not being transferred to an "affiliate" of the Company as defined in Rule 144
under the Securities Act of 1933 (an "Affiliate"):
[ ] The transferee is an Affiliate of the Company.
Unless one of items (1) through (6) above is checked, the Trustee will
refuse to register any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the
name of any person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however,
that if item (3), (4) or (5) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require,
prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, in their sole
discretion, such written legal opinions, certifications (including an investment
letter, and in the case of a transfer pursuant to item (3) or (4), a Regulation
S Letter or Transferee Letter, in each case, in substantially the form set forth
below) and other information as the Trustee or the Company have reasonably
requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption
from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933.
If none of the foregoing items are checked, the Trustee or Registrar
shall not be obligated to register this Security in the name of any person other
than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of
registration set forth herein and in Section 2.06 of the Indenture shall have
been satisfied.
Signed:
---------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name
appears on the other side of
this Security)
Signature Guarantee:
------------------------------------------------------------
A-14
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933 and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated:
------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Notice: to be executed by an executive officer***
----------
*** These paragraphs should be included only if the Security is a Transfer
Restricted Security.
A-15
FORM OF REGULATION S LETTER TO BE DELIVERED
IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S
[ ], [ ]
Wilmington Trust Company
Xxxxxx Square North
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Re: 7 5/8% Series A Notes due 2010 of El Paso Natural Gas Company
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of $[ ] principal
amount of the above referenced Securities (the "Securities"), we confirm that
such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and,
accordingly, we represent that:
(i) the offer of the Securities was not made to a person in
the United States;
(ii) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee
was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf
reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;
(iii) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the
United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or
Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and
(iv) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade
the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
A-16
You and El Paso Natural Gas Company are entitled to rely upon this
letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to
any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official
inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used but not defined
in this letter have the meanings set forth in Regulation S under the Securities
Act.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By:
---------------------------
Authorized Signature
A-17
FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER
TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH
TRANSFERS TO NON-QIB ACCREDITED INVESTORS
[ ], [ ]
Wilmington Trust Company
Xxxxxx Square North
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Re: 7 5/8% Series A Notes due 2010 of El Paso Natural Gas Company
In connection with our proposed purchase of $[ ] principal amount of
the above referenced Securities (the "Securities"), we confirm that:
(i) We have received such information as we deem necessary in
order to make our investment decision.
(ii) We understand that any subsequent transfer of the
Securities or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions
and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to
be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the
Securities or any interest therein except in compliance with, such
restrictions and conditions and the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
(iii) We understand that the offer and sale of the Securities
have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the
Securities and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except
as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and
on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter
stated, that if we should sell the Securities or any interest therein,
we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a "qualified
institutional buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional
"accredited investor" (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer,
furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to
you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of
this letter, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904
of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to
an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we
further agree to provide to any person purchasing the certificated
Security or beneficial interest in a Global Security from the Company
in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of
this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof
are restricted as stated herein.
A-18
(iv) We understand that, on any proposed resale of the
Security or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish
to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other
information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm
that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We
further understand that the Security purchased by the Company will bear
a legend to the foregoing effect.
(v) We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined
in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities
Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business
matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our
investment in the Security, and we and any accounts for which we are
acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its
investment.
(vi) We are acquiring the Security or beneficial interest
therein purchased by the Company for our own account or for one or more
accounts (each of which is an institutional "accredited investor") as
to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.
------------------------------------
[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
A-19
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF SECURITIES***
The following exchanges, redemptions or repurchases of a part of this Global
Security have been made:
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SIGNATURE OF
GLOBAL SECURITY AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
AMOUNT OF DECREASE AMOUNT OF INCREASE IN FOLLOWING SUCH OF TRUSTEE OR
DATE OF IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF DECREASE SECURITIES
TRANSACTION OF GLOBAL SECURITY GLOBAL SECURITY (OR INCREASE) CUSTODIAN
----------- ------------------- --------------------- ------------------- --------------------
----------
*** This Schedule should be included only if the Security is a Global Security.
A-20
