SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT
OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
|
||||
Section
1.1
|
Definitions.
|
2
|
||
Section
1.2
|
Construction.
|
21
|
||
ARTICLE
II
ORGANIZATION
|
||||
Section
2.1
|
Formation.
|
22
|
||
Section
2.2
|
Name.
|
22
|
||
Section
2.3
|
Registered
Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices
|
22
|
||
Section
2.4
|
Purpose
and Business.
|
23
|
||
Section
2.5
|
Powers.
|
23
|
||
Section
2.6
|
Power
of Attorney.
|
23
|
||
Section
2.7
|
Term.
|
24
|
||
Section
2.8
|
Title
to Partnership Assets.
|
25
|
||
ARTICLE
III
RIGHTS
OF LIMITED PARTNERS
|
||||
Section
3.1
|
Limitation
of Liability.
|
25
|
||
Section
3.2
|
Management
of Business.
|
25
|
||
Section
3.3
|
Outside
Activities of the Limited Partners.
|
26
|
||
Section
3.4
|
Rights
of Limited Partners.
|
26
|
||
|
||||
ARTICLE
IV
CERTIFICATES;
RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF
PARTNERSHIP
INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF
PARTNERSHIP
INTERESTS
|
||||
|
||||
Section
4.1
|
Certificates.
|
27
|
||
Section
4.2
|
Mutilated,
Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
|
27
|
||
Section
4.3
|
Record
Holders.
|
28
|
||
Section
4.4
|
Transfer
Generally.
|
28
|
||
Section
4.5
|
Registration
and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
|
29
|
||
Section
4.6
|
Transfer
of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest.
|
30
|
||
Section
4.7
|
Transfer
of Incentive Distribution Rights.
|
30
|
||
Section
4.8
|
Restrictions
on Transfers.
|
31
|
||
Section
4.9
|
Citizenship
Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees.
|
32
|
||
Section
4.10
|
Redemption
of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees.
|
33
|
i
ARTICLE
V
CAPITAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE
OF
PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
|
||||
Section
5.1
|
Organizational
Contributions.
|
34
|
||
Section
5.2
|
Contributions
by the General Partner and its Affiliates.
|
34
|
||
Section
5.3
|
Contributions
by Initial Limited Partners.
|
35
|
||
Section
5.4
|
Interest
and Withdrawal.
|
36
|
||
Section
5.5
|
Capital
Accounts.
|
36
|
||
Section
5.6
|
Issuances
of Additional Partnership Securities.
|
39
|
||
Section
5.7
|
Conversion
of Subordinated Units.
|
40
|
||
Section
5.8
|
Limited
Preemptive Right.
|
41
|
||
Section
5.9
|
Splits
and Combinations.
|
41
|
||
Section
5.10
|
Fully
Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner
Interests.
|
42
|
||
Section
5.11
|
Issuance
of Class B Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution
Rights.
|
42
|
||
Section
5.12
|
Establishment
of Terms of Class C Units.
|
44
|
||
|
||||
ARTICLE
VI
ALLOCATIONS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
|
||||
Section
6.1
|
Allocations
for Capital Account Purposes.
|
47
|
||
Section
6.2
|
Allocations
for Tax Purposes.
|
55
|
||
Section
6.3
|
Requirement
and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record
Holders.
|
57
|
||
Section
6.4
|
Distributions
of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.
|
58
|
||
Section
6.5
|
Distributions
of Available Cash from Capital Surplus.
|
60
|
||
Section
6.6
|
Adjustment
of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution
Levels.
|
60
|
||
Section
6.7
|
Special
Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units and Class B
Units.
|
61
|
||
Section
6.8
|
Special
Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution
Rights.
|
62
|
||
Section
6.9
|
Entity-Level
Taxation.
|
62
|
||
ARTICLE
VII
MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
|
||||
Section
7.1
|
Management.
|
63
|
||
Section
7.2
|
Certificate
of Limited Partnership.
|
65
|
||
Section
7.3
|
Restrictions
on the General Partner’s Authority.
|
65
|
||
Section
7.4
|
Reimbursement
of the General Partner.
|
66
|
||
Section
7.5
|
Outside
Activities.
|
67
|
ii
Section
7.6
|
Loans
from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership
or
Group Members.
|
68
|
||
Section
7.7
|
Indemnification.
|
68
|
||
Section
7.8
|
Liability
of Indemnitees.
|
70
|
||
Section
7.9
|
Resolution
of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of
Duties.
|
71
|
||
Section
7.10
|
Other
Matters Concerning the General Partner.
|
72
|
||
Section
7.11
|
Purchase
or Sale of Partnership Securities.
|
73
|
||
Section
7.12
|
Registration
Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
|
73
|
||
Section
7.13
|
Reliance
by Third Parties.
|
77
|
||
ARTICLE
VIII
BOOKS,
RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
|
||||
Section
8.1
|
Records
and Accounting.
|
77
|
||
Section
8.2
|
Fiscal
Year.
|
77
|
||
Section
8.3
|
Reports.
|
78
|
||
ARTICLE
IX
TAX
MATTERS
|
||||
|
||||
Section
9.1
|
Tax
Returns and Information.
|
78
|
||
Section
9.2
|
Tax
Elections.
|
78
|
||
Section
9.3
|
Tax
Controversies.
|
79
|
||
Section
9.4
|
|
Withholding.
|
|
79
|
ARTICLE
X
ADMISSION
OF PARTNERS
|
||||
Section
10.1
|
Admission
of Limited Partners.
|
79
|
||
Section
10.2
|
Admission
of Successor General Partner.
|
80
|
||
Section
10.3
|
Amendment
of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.
|
80
|
||
ARTICLE
XI
WITHDRAWAL
OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
|
||||
Section
11.1
|
Withdrawal
of the General Partner.
|
81
|
||
Section
11.2
|
Removal
of the General Partner.
|
82
|
||
Section
11.3
|
Interest
of Departing General Partner and Successor General
Partner.
|
83
|
||
Section
11.4
|
Termination
of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and
Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
|
84
|
||
Section
11.5
|
Withdrawal
of Limited Partners.
|
85
|
iii
ARTICLE
XII
DISSOLUTION
AND LIQUIDATION
|
||||
|
||||
Section
12.1
|
Dissolution.
|
85
|
||
Section
12.2
|
Continuation
of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.
|
85
|
||
Section
12.3
|
Liquidator.
|
86
|
||
Section
12.4
|
Liquidation.
|
87
|
||
Section
12.5
|
Cancellation
of Certificate of Limited Partnership.
|
87
|
||
Section
12.6
|
Return
of Contributions.
|
87
|
||
Section
12.7
|
Waiver
of Partition.
|
88
|
||
Section
12.8
|
Capital
Account Restoration.
|
88
|
||
ARTICLE
XIII
AMENDMENT
OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT;
MEETINGS;
RECORD DATE
|
||||
Section
13.1
|
Amendments
to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.
|
88
|
||
Section
13.2
|
Amendment
Procedures.
|
89
|
||
Section
13.3
|
Amendment
Requirements.
|
90
|
||
Section
13.4
|
Special
Meetings.
|
91
|
||
Section
13.5
|
Notice
of a Meeting.
|
91
|
||
Section
13.6
|
Record
Date.
|
91
|
||
Section
13.7
|
Adjournment.
|
92
|
||
Section
13.8
|
Waiver
of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes.
|
92
|
||
Section
13.9
|
Quorum
and Voting.
|
92
|
||
Section
13.10
|
Conduct
of a Meeting.
|
93
|
||
Section
13.11
|
Action
Without a Meeting.
|
93
|
||
Section
13.12
|
Right
to Vote and Related Matters.
|
94
|
||
ARTICLE
XIV
MERGER,
CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
|
||||
Section
14.1
|
Authority.
|
94
|
||
Section
14.2
|
Procedure
for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
|
94
|
||
Section
14.3
|
Approval
by Limited Partners.
|
96
|
||
Section
14.4
|
Certificate
of Merger.
|
97
|
||
Section
14.5
|
Effect
of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
|
97
|
||
ARTICLE
XV
RIGHT
TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
|
||||
Section
15.1
|
Right
to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.
|
99
|
iv
ARTICLE
XVI
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
|
||||
Section
16.1
|
Addresses
and Notices.
|
100
|
||
Section
16.2
|
Further
Action.
|
101
|
||
Section
16.3
|
Binding
Effect.
|
101
|
||
Section
16.4
|
Integration.
|
101
|
||
Section
16.5
|
Creditors.
|
101
|
||
Section
16.6
|
Waiver.
|
101
|
||
Section
16.7
|
Third-Party
Beneficiaries.
|
102
|
||
Section
16.8
|
Counterparts.
|
102
|
||
Section
16.9
|
Applicable
Law.
|
102
|
||
Section
16.10
|
Invalidity
of Provisions.
|
102
|
||
Section
16.11
|
Consent
of Partners.
|
102
|
||
Section
16.12
|
Facsimile
Signatures.
|
102
|
v
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS,
LP
THIS
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF DCP MIDSTREAM
PARTNERS, LP dated as of November 1, 2006, is entered into by and between DCP
Midstream GP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, as the General Partner, and
the Limited Partners, together with any other Persons who become Partners in
the
Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the
covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows:
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner entered into the
Agreement of Limited Partnership of DCP Midstream Partners, LP on August 5,
2005;
WHEREAS,
the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner entered into the
Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership on December 7, 2005 and
therefore admitted additional Limited Partners in connection with the Initial
Offering;
WHEREAS,
Section 5.6 of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner,
without the approval of any Limited Partner except as otherwise provided in
the
Partnership Agreement, may, for any Partnership purpose, at any time or from
time to time, issue additional Partnership Securities for such consideration
and
on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner
in
its sole discretion; and
WHEREAS,
Section 13.1(g) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner,
without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Partnership
Agreement to reflect an amendment that, in the discretion of the General
Partner, is necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization of
issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section
5.6; and
WHEREAS,
the Partnership has entered into a Contribution Agreement, dated as of October
9
2006, among the Partnership, DCP LP Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership
(a subsidiary of Duke Energy Field Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company), and the other parties named therein (the “Contribution
Agreement”);
and
WHEREAS,
the Contribution Agreement obligates the Partnership to issue limited partner
interests to be designated as Class C Units and having the terms set forth
in
this Agreement (the “Class
C Units”);
and
WHEREAS,
the General Partner has determined that the creation of this new class of
Partnership Securities will be in the best interests of the Partnership and
beneficial to the Limited Partners, including the holders of the Common Units;
and
WHEREAS,
the issuance of the Class C Units complies with the requirements of the
Partnership Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated as
follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
Section
1.1 Definitions.
The
following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly
indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this
Agreement.
“Acquisition”
means
any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset
acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control
over
all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for
the
purpose of increasing the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership
Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing
immediately prior to such transaction.
“Additional
Book Basis”
means
the portion of any remaining Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property that is
attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result
of
Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value
constitutes Additional Book Basis:
(a) Any
negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a
result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed
to
offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property
that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant
to
a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.
(b) If
Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result
of
a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as
a
result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in
Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided,
that
the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of
such
Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining
Net
Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional
Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such
Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause
(b)
to such Book-Down Event).
“Additional
Book Basis Derivative Items”
means
any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional
Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all
of
the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period
exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning
of
such period (the “Excess
Additional Book Basis”),
the
Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by
the
amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis
Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess
Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning
of
such period.
2
“Adjusted
Capital Account”
means
the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each fiscal
year of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is
obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under
Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased
by
(i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such fiscal
year, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent
years under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation
Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that,
as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be made to such
Partner in subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
or
otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Partner’s
Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to)
the
year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other
than
increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i)
or 6.1(d)(ii)). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended
to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The
“Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Unit, a
Common Unit, a Subordinated Unit, a Class B Unit or an Incentive Distribution
Right or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted
Capital Account would be if such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Subordinated
Unit, Class B Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest
were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after
the date on which such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Class B Unit,
Subordinated Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest
was first issued.
“Adjusted
Operating Surplus”
means,
with respect to any period, Operating Surplus generated with respect to such
period (a) less any net decrease in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures
with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with
respect to such period, and (b) plus (i) any net decrease made in subsequent
periods in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures initially established with
respect to such period and (ii) any net increase in cash reserves for Operating
Expenditures with respect to such period required by any debt instrument for
the
repayment of principal, interest or premium. Adjusted Operating Surplus does
not
include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the
definition of Operating Surplus.
“Adjusted
Property”
means
any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section
5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control
with, the Person in question; provided
that,
for the avoidance of doubt, the term “Affiliate” includes any Person that,
directly or indirectly, is the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the equity
interests in DEFS or has the right to appoint 25% or more of the members of
the
board of directors of DEFS. As used herein, the term “control” means the
possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction
of
the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Aggregate
Remaining Net Positive Adjustments”
means,
as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive
Adjustments of all the Partners.
3
“Agreed
Allocation”
means
any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain,
loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a
Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed
Allocation” is used).
“Agreed
Value”
of
any
Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or other
consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the General Partner.
The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate
to
allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to
the
Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property
on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed
Property.
“Agreement”
means
this Second Amended and Restated Agreement
of Limited Partnership of DCP Midstream Partners, LP, as it may be amended,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Associate”
means,
when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or
organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is,
directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock
or
other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has
at
least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee
or
in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person,
or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such
Person.
“Available
Cash”
means,
with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:
(a) the
sum
of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand at the
end
of such Quarter, and (ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any
portion of any additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group
on
hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such
Quarter, less
(b) the
amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner to (i) provide
for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including
reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit
needs
of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with
applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt
instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a
party
or by which it is bound or its assets are subject or (iii) provide funds for
distributions under Section 6.4 or 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the
next
four Quarters; provided,
however,
that
the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to (iii) above
if
the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to
distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units, plus any
Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all Common Units, with respect to such
Quarter; and, provided
further,
that
disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased
or
reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination
of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been
made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available
Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.
4
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, “Available
Cash”
with
respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent
Quarter shall equal zero.
“Board
of Directors”
means,
with respect to the Board of Directors of the General Partner, its board of
directors or managers, as applicable, if a corporation or limited liability
company, or if a limited partnership, the board of directors or board of
managers of the general partner of the General Partner.
“Book
Basis Derivative Items”
means
any item of income, deduction, gain or loss included in the determination of
Net
Income or Net Loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of
an
Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect
to an Adjusted Property).
“Book-Down
Event”
means
an event that triggers a negative adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the
Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
“Book-Tax
Disparity”
means
with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of
the
date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such
Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for
federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the
Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and
Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s
Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the
hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had
been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting
principles.
“Book-Up
Event”
means
an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the
Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
“Business
Day”
means
Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized
as
such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Colorado
shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
“Capital
Account”
means
the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5. The
“Capital
Account”
of
a
Partner in respect of a General Partner Unit, a Common Unit, a Subordinated
Unit, a Class B Unit, an Incentive Distribution Right or any Partnership
Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such General
Partner Unit, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Class B Unit, Incentive
Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in
the
Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such General
Partner Unit, Common Unit, Class B Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive
Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.
“Capital
Contribution”
means
any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property
that
a Partner contributes to the Partnership.
“Capital
Improvement”
means
any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member,
(b) acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets
(including, without limitation, gathering lines, treating facilities, processing
plants, fractionation facilities, pipelines, terminals, docks, truck racks,
tankage and other storage, distribution or transportation facilities and related
or similar midstream assets) or (c) capital contributions by a Group Member
to a
Person in which a Group Member has an equity interest to fund such Group
Member’s pro rata share of the cost of the acquisition of existing, or the
construction of new, capital assets (including, without limitation, gathering
lines, treating facilities, processing plants, fractionation facilities,
pipelines, terminals, docks, truck racks, tankage and other storage,
distribution or transportation facilities and related or similar midstream
assets) by such Person, in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition
or construction is made to increase the operating capacity or revenues of the
Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), or such Person, in the
case of clause (c), from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership
Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately prior to such
addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.
5
“Capital
Surplus”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(a).
“Carrying
Value”
means
(a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property
reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery
deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such
Contributed Property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property,
the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as
of
the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted
from time to time in accordance with Sections 5.5(d)(i) and 5.5(d)(ii) and
to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for
dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate
by the General Partner.
“Cause”
means
a
court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment
finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud or willful misconduct in
its
capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.
“Certificate”
means
(a) a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement,
(ii) issued in global form in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the
Depositary or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner,
issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units
or
(b) a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued
by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership
Securities.
“Certificate
of Limited Partnership”
means
the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.2,
as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or
restated from time to time.
“Citizenship
Certification”
means
a
properly completed certificate in such form as may be specified by the General
Partner by which a Limited Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee
holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge
such other Person) is an Eligible Citizen.
“claim”
(as
used in Section 7.12(d)) has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 7.12(d).
6
“Class
B Units”
means
a
Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests
of all Limited Partners, and having the rights and obligations specified with
respect to Class B Units in this Agreement.
“Class
C Units”
means
a
Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests
of all Limited Partners, and having the rights and obligations specified with
respect to Class C Units in this Agreement.
“Closing
Date”
means
the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the
Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting
Agreement.
“Closing
Price”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.
Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be
deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor
law.
“Combined
Interest”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).
“Commission”
means
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common
Unit”
means
a
Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests
of all Limited Partners and Assignees, and having the rights and obligations
specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit”
does not include a Subordinated Unit, Class B Unit or a Class C Unit prior
to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof except to
the
extent specified in Section 5.12 hereof.
“Common
Unit Arrearage”
means,
with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, as to any Quarter within
the
Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly
Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over
(b)
the sum of all Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in
respect of such Quarter pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i).
“Conflicts
Committee”
means
a
committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely
of
two or more directors, each of whom (a) is not a security holder, officer or
employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer, director or employee
of
any Affiliate of the General Partner, (c) is not a holder of any ownership
interest in the Partnership Group other than Common Units and (d) meets the
independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee
of
a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities
Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to
trading.
“Contributed
Property”
means
each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware
Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying
Value
of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property
shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an
Adjusted Property.
7
“Contribution
Agreement”
means
that certain Contribution and Conveyance Agreement, dated as of the Closing
Date, among the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Partnership
and
certain other parties, together with the additional conveyance documents and
instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Converted
Common Units”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(x)(B).
“Credit
Agreement”
means
the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2005, among the OLP, the MLP,
the
subsidiaries of the MLP, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as
administrative agent for the lenders named therein.
“Cumulative
Common Unit Arrearage”
means,
with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, and as of the end of any
Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum resulting from adding together
the
Common Unit Arrearage as to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters
within the Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter
over (b) the sum of any distributions theretofore made pursuant to Section
6.4(a)(ii) and the second sentence of Section 6.5 with respect to an Initial
Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of the last
of
such Quarters).
“Curative
Allocation”
means
any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant
to
the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).
“Current
Market Price”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
“DEFS”
means
Duke Energy Field Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company.
“Delaware
Act”
means
the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101,
et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any
successor to such statute.
“Departing
General Partner”
means
a
former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal
or
removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section
11.2.
“Depositary”
means,
with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company
and its successors and permitted assigns.
“Economic
Risk of Loss”
has
the
meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).
“Eligible
Citizen”
means
a
Person qualified to own interests in real property in jurisdictions in which
any
Group Member does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and
whose status as a Limited Partner the General Partner determines does not or
would not subject such Group Member to a significant risk of cancellation or
forfeiture of any of its properties or any interest therein.
8
“Estimated
Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.
“Event
of Withdrawal”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).
“Expansion
Capital Expenditures”
means
cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements, and shall not
include Maintenance Capital Expenditures.
“Final
Subordinated Units”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(x).
“First
Liquidation Target Amount”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(D).
“First
Target Distribution”
means
$0.4025 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on
the
Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2005, it means the product of
$0.4025 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days
in
such period, and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in
accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
“Fully
Diluted Basis”
means,
when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, a basis that
includes, in addition to the Outstanding Units, all Partnership Securities
and
options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest
in the Partnership (a) that are convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Units that are senior to or pari passu with the Subordinated
Units, (b) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price is less than the
Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (c) that may be
converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during
the
Quarter immediately following the end of the period for which the calculation
is
being made without the satisfaction of any contingency beyond the control of
the
holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with
administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange
and
(d) that were not converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during
the period for which the calculation is being made; provided,
however,
that for
purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Units on a Fully Diluted
Basis
when calculating whether the Subordination Period has ended or Subordinated
Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7,
such Partnership Securities, options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights
shall be deemed to have been Outstanding Units only for the four Quarters that
comprise the last four Quarters of the measurement period; provided,
further, that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection
with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included
in such calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between
(i) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange
and (ii) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the
Current Market Price.
“General
Partner”
means
DCP Midstream GP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and its successors and
permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of
the
Partnership, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except
as
the context otherwise requires).
9
“General
Partner Interest”
means
the ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its
capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest
held by it), which is evidenced by General Partner Units, and includes any
and
all benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this
Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with
the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
“General
Partner Unit”
means
a
fractional part of the General Partner Interest having the rights and
obligations specified with respect to the General Partner Interest. A General
Partner Unit is not a Unit.
“Group”
means
a
Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any
contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or
consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation
made
to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of any
Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose
Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership
Interests.
“Group
Member”
means
a
member of the Partnership Group.
“Group
Member Agreement”
means
the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership,
that
is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement
of
any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member
that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document
of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational
or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than
a
limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint
venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to
time.
“Holder”
as
used
in Section 7.12, has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 7.12(a).
“Incentive
Distribution Right”
means
a
non-voting Limited Partner Interest issued to the General Partner in connection
with the transfer of all of its interests in DCP Assets Holdings, LP to the
Partnership pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, which Limited Partner
Interest will confer upon the holder thereof only the rights and obligations
specifically provided in this Agreement with respect to Incentive Distribution
Rights (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of
a
holder of a Partnership Interest). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to
the contrary, the holder of an Incentive Distribution Right shall not be
entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any Partnership matter
except as may otherwise be required by law.
“Incentive
Distributions”
means
any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution
Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii) and 6.4(b)(iii), (iv)
and
(v).
“Indemnified
Persons”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(d).
10
“Indemnitee”
means
(a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person
who
is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner,
(d) any Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary
or
trustee of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General
Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any
Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the
request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate
of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner as an officer, director,
member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided
that a
Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services
basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (f) any Person the General
Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this
Agreement.
“Initial
Common Units”
means
the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.
“Initial
Limited Partner”
means
DEFS LP Holdings, LP (with respect to the Common Units, Subordinated Units
and
Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section 5.2) and the
Underwriters upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units as described
in Section 5.3 in connection with the Initial Offering.
“Initial
Offering”
means
the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in
the
Registration Statement.
“Initial
Unit Price”
means
(a) with respect to the Common Units, the initial public offering price per
Common Unit at which the Underwriters offered the Common Units to the public
for
sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of the
Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration
Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or
series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units
is
initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in
each
case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect
to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.
“Interim
Capital Transactions”
means
the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a)
borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than for items
purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group
Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity
interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the
Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option); (c) sales
or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member
other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable
and
other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other
dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; (d) the
termination of interest rate swap agreements; (e) capital contributions; or
(f)
corporate reorganizations or restructurings.
“Issue
Price”
means
the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, net of any sales
commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.
“Limited
Partner”
means,
unless the context otherwise requires, the Organizational Limited Partner prior
to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each
additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from
General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each case,
in
such Person’s capacity as limited partner of the Partnership; provided,
however,
that
when the term “Limited Partner” is used herein in the context of any vote or
other approval, including Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely
for
such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution Right (solely
with
respect to its Incentive Distribution Rights and not with respect to any other
Limited Partner Interest held by such Person) except as may otherwise be
required by law.
11
“Limited
Partner Interest”
means
the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be
evidenced by Common Units, Class B Units, Subordinated Units, Incentive
Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof
or
interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited
Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations
of such Limited Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this
Agreement; provided,
however,
that
when the term “Limited Partner Interest” is used herein in the context of any
vote or other approval, including Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not,
solely for such purpose, include any Incentive Distribution Right except as
may
otherwise be required by law.
“Liquidation
Date”
means
(a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership
of
the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section
12.2,
the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of
Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the
Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the
case
of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date
on which such event occurs.
“Liquidator”
means
one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions
described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within
the
meaning of the Delaware Act.
“Maintenance
Capital Expenditures”
means
cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to
the
capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing,
or
the construction of new, capital assets) if such expenditures are made to
maintain, including over the long term, the operating capacity or revenues
of
the Partnership Group.
“Merger
Agreement”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.
“Minimum
Quarterly Distribution”
means
$0.35 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to the period commencing on the
Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2005, it means the product of $0.35
multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such
period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance
with Sections 6.6 and 6.9.
“National
Securities Exchange”
means
an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act, and any successor to such statute, or the Nasdaq Stock Market
or
any successor thereto.
12
“Net
Agreed Value”
means,
(a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property
reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such
contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, (b) in
the
case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the
Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section
5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any
indebtedness either assumed by such Partner or Assignee upon such distribution
or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either
case, as determined under Section 752 of the Code, and (c) in the case of a
contribution of Common Units by the General Partner to the Partnership as a
Capital Contribution pursuant to Section 5.2(b), an amount per Common Unit
contributed equal to the Current Market Price per Common Unit as of the date
of
the contribution.
“Net
Income”
means,
for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income
and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net
Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the
Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into
account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss)
for
such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall
be
determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items
specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided,
that
the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section
6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this
Agreement.
“Net
Loss”
means,
for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and
deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of
Net
Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the
Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into
account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss)
for
such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall
be
determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items
specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided,
that
the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section
6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this
Agreement.
“Net
Positive Adjustments”
means,
with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive
adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account
of
such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.
“Net
Termination Gain”
means,
for any taxable year, the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss
or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The
items
included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall be determined in
accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain
or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
“Net
Termination Loss”
means,
for any taxable year, the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss
or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The
items
included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall be determined in
accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain
or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
13
“Non-citizen
Assignee”
means
a
Person whom the General Partner has determined does not constitute an Eligible
Citizen and as to whose Partnership Interest the General Partner has become
the
Substituted Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 4.9.
“Nonrecourse
Built-in Gain”
means
with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are
subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount
of
any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to
Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A), 6.2(b)(ii)(A) and 6.2(b)(iii) if such properties
were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such
liabilities and for no other consideration.
“Nonrecourse
Deductions”
means
any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure
described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the
principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a
Nonrecourse Liability.
“Nonrecourse
Liability”
has
the
meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.752-1(a)(2).
“Notice
of Election to Purchase”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).
“Omnibus
Agreement”
means
that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among DEFS, the
General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company and certain other
parties thereto, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time
to
time.
“Operating
Expenditures”
means
all Partnership Group cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes,
reimbursements of the General Partner in accordance with this Agreement,
interest payments, Maintenance Capital Expenditures and non-Pro Rata repurchases
of Units (other than those made with the proceeds of an Interim Capital
Transaction), but excluding, subject to the following:
(a) payments
(including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium
on
indebtedness shall not constitute Operating Expenditures; and
(b) Operating
Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) payment
of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital
Transactions or (iii) distributions to Partners. Where capital expenditures
consist of both Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital
Expenditures, the General Partner, with the concurrence of the Conflicts
Committee, shall determine the allocation between the portion consisting of
Maintenance Capital Expenditures and the portion consisting of Expansion Capital
Expenditures and, with respect to the part of such capital expenditures
consisting of Maintenance Capital Expenditures, the period over which the
capital expenditures made for other purposes will be deducted as an Operating
Expenditure in calculating Operating Surplus.
“Operating
Partnership”
means
DCP Midstream Operating, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors
thereto.
14
“Operating
Surplus”
means,
with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative
basis and without duplication,
(a) the
sum
of (i) an amount equal to four times the amount needed for any one Quarter
for
the Partnership to pay a distribution on all Units, the General Partner Units
and the Incentive Distribution Rights at the same per Unit amount as was
distributed immediately preceding the date of determination, and (ii) all cash
receipts of the Partnership Group for the period beginning on the Closing Date
and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from
Interim Capital Transactions (except to the extent specified in Section 6.5)
(or
with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on December
31, 2005, it means the product of (i) $1.40 multiplied by (ii) a fraction of
which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator
is
92 multiplied by (iii) the number of Units and General Partner Units Outstanding
on the Record Date with respect to such period), less
(b) the
sum
of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date
and
ending on the last day of such period and (ii) the amount of cash reserves
established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating
Expenditures; provided,
however,
that
disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements
on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced
after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of
Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made,
established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating
Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, “Operating
Surplus”
with
respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent
Quarter shall equal zero.
“Opinion
of Counsel”
means
a
written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or
the
General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General
Partner.
“Option
Closing Date”
means
the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to
the
Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
“Organizational
Limited Partner”
means
DEFS in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership
pursuant to this Agreement.
“Outstanding”
means,
with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are
issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s
books and records as of the date of determination; provided,
however,
that if
at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its
Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership
Securities of any class then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned
by
such Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be
considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited
Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating
required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar
purposes under this Agreement, except that Units so owned shall be considered
to
be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Units shall not,
however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Securities for purposes
of this Agreement); provided,
further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or
Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Securities of
any
class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates,
(ii)
any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership
Securities of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person
or
Group described in clause (i) provided
that the
General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such
limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or
more of any Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership with the prior
approval of the Board of Directors.
15
“Over-Allotment
Option”
means
the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership
pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
“Partner
Nonrecourse Debt”
has
the
meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Partner
Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain”
has
the
meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
“Partner
Nonrecourse Deductions”
means
any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure
described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the
principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a
Partner Nonrecourse Debt.
“Partners”
means
the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
“Partnership”
means
DCP Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
“Partnership
Group”
means
the Partnership and its Subsidiaries treated as a single consolidated
entity.
“Partnership
Interest”
means
an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General Partner Interest
and Limited Partner Interests.
“Partnership
Minimum Gain”
means
that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(d).
“Partnership
Security”
means
any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any
options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest
in the Partnership), including Common Units, Class B Units, Class C Units,
Subordinated Units, General Partner Units and Incentive Distribution
Rights.
“Per
Unit Capital Amount”
means,
as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit
basis, underlying any Unit held by a Person other than the General Partner
or
any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.
“Percentage
Interest”
means
as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner with respect
to
General Partner Units and as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, the
product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to
clause (b) below by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of
General Partner Units held by the General Partner or the number of Units held
by
such Unitholder, as the case may be, by (B) the total number of Outstanding
Units and General Partner Units, and (b) as to the holders of other Partnership
Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the
percentage established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest
with
respect to an Incentive Distribution Right shall at all times be
zero.
16
“Person”
means
an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership,
joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government
agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
“Pro
Rata”
means
(a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally
among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage
Interests, (b) when used with respect to Partners and Assignees or Record
Holders, apportioned among all Partners and Assignees or Record Holders in
accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (c) when used with
respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned equally among
all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative
number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such
holder.
“Purchase
Date”
means
the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all
Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited
Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant
to
Article XV.
“Quarter”
means,
unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership,
or,
with respect to the first fiscal quarter of the Partnership after the Closing
Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.
“Recapture
Income”
means
any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any
adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the
disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is
characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of
deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.
“Record
Date”
means
the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with
this
Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to
notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote
by
ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting
or
entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners
or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or
distribution or to participate in any offer.
“Record
Holder”
means
the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the
Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day,
or
with respect to other Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such
other Partnership Interest is registered on the books that the General Partner
has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business
Day.
“Redeemable
Interests”
means
any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and
has
not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.
17
“Registration
Statement”
means
the Registration Statement on Form S-1 as it has been or as it may be amended
or
supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission
under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units
in the Initial Offering.
“Remaining
Net Positive Adjustments”
means
as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding
Common Units, Class B Units or Subordinated Units, the excess of (a) the
Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units, Class B
Units or Subordinated Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of
those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior
taxable period, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the
General Partner Units), the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the
General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General
Partner’s Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the
General Partner Units for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect
to
the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive
Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of
such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative
Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable
period.
“Required
Allocations”
means
(a) any limitation imposed on any allocation of Net Losses or Net Termination
Losses under Section 6.1(b) or Section 6.1(c)(ii) and (b) any allocation of
an
item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section
6.1(d)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(iv), Section 6.1(d)(vii) or Section
6.1(d)(ix).
“Residual
Gain”
or
“Residual
Loss”
means
any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized
for
federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition
of a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of
gain
or loss is not allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(i)(A) or Section
6.2(b)(ii)(A), respectively, to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.
“Retained
Converted Subordinated Unit”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5(c)(ii).
“Second
Liquidation Target Amount”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).
“Second
Target Distribution”
means
$0.4375 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on
the
Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2005, it means the product of
$0.4375 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number
of days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to
adjustment in accordance with Section 5.11, Section 6.6 and Section
6.9.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time
to
time and any successor to such statute.
“Securities
Exchange Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from
time to time and any successor to such statute.
18
“Share
of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items”
means
in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items
for
any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units,
Class B Units or Subordinated Units, the amount that bears the same ratio
to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net
Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate
Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, (ii) with respect to the
General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the amount that bears
the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General
Partner’s Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears
to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time, and (iii)
with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount
that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as
the
Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive
Distribution Rights as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate
Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.
“Special
Approval”
means
approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
“Subordinated
Unit”
means
a
Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests
of all Limited Partners and Assignees and having the rights and obligations
specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term
“Subordinated Unit” does not include a Common Unit or Class B Unit. A
Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute
a
Common Unit until such conversion occurs.
“Subordination
Period”
means
the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the first to occur
of
the following dates:
(a) the
first
day of any Quarter beginning after December 31, 2010 in respect of which (i)
(A)
distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the
Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units
that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units
and
the General Partner Units with respect to each of the three consecutive,
non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled
or
exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Outstanding Common
Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior
or
equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units and the General Partner
Units during such periods and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of
the
three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding
such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution
on
all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior
or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units that were
Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Basis, plus the related
distribution on the General Partner Units, with respect to each such period
and
(ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages;
(b) the
first
date on which there are no longer outstanding any Subordinated Units due to
the
conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7
or
otherwise; and
19
(c) the
date
on which the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership
upon the requisite vote by holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances
where Cause does not exist and Units held by the General Partner and its
Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal.
“Subsidiary”
means,
with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the
voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of
such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination,
by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination
thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person
or
a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or
limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the
partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership
interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or
indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person
(other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly,
at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest
or
(ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors
or
other governing body of such Person.
“Surviving
Business Entity”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).
“Target
Distribution”
means,
collectively, the First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and
Third Target Distribution.
“Third
Liquidation Target Amount”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(F).
“Third
Target Distribution”
means
$0.525 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the
Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2005, it means the product of
$0.525 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number
of
days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment
in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
“Trading
Day”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
“transfer”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).
“Transfer
Agent”
means
such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or
one
of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the General
Partner to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units;
provided,
that if
no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any other Partnership
Securities, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
“Underwriter”
means
each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement
who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
20
“Underwriting
Agreement”
means
that certain Underwriting Agreement dated as of December 1, 2005 among the
Underwriters, DEFS, the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating
Partnership and other parties thereto, providing for the purchase of Common
Units by the Underwriters.
“Unit”
means
a
Partnership Security that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common
Units, Class B Units and Subordinated Units but shall not include (i)
General Partner Units (or the General Partner Interest represented thereby)
or
(ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.
“Unit
Majority”
means
(i) during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding
Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its
Affiliates), voting as a class, and at least a majority of the Outstanding
Subordinated Units, voting as a class, and (ii) after the end of the
Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and
Class B Units, if any, voting as a single class.
“Unitholders”
means
the holders of Units.
“Unpaid
MQD”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).
“Unrealized
Gain”
attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of
determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property
as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying
Value
of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant
to
Section 5.5(d) as of such date).
“Unrealized
Loss”
attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of
determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property
as
of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d)
as
of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date
(as determined under Section 5.5(d)).
“Unrecovered
Initial Unit Price”
means
at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of
all
distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an
Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value
of
any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation
of
the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted
as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any
distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.
“U.S.
GAAP”
means
United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied.
“Withdrawal
Opinion of Counsel”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(b).
Section
1.2 Construction.
Unless
the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall
include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular
form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa;
(b)
references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this
Agreement; (c) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” or words of like
import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d)
the terms “hereof”, “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole
and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents
and
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
21
ARTICLE
II
ORGANIZATION
Section
2.1 Formation.
The
General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed
the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the
Delaware Act and hereby amend and restate the original Agreement of Limited
Partnership of DCP Midstream Partners, LP in its entirety. This amendment and
restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as
expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties
(including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and
the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be
governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute
personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.
Section
2.2 Name.
The
name
of the Partnership shall be “DCP Midstream Partners, LP.” The Partnership’s
business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the
General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited
Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in
the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the
laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the
name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify
the
Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited
Partners.
Section
2.3 Registered
Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices
Unless
and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the
Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000, and the registered agent for service
of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office
shall be Corporation Service Company. The principal office of the Partnership
shall be located at 000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, or
such
other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice
to
the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place
or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner shall
determine necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall
be
000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, or such other place as
the
General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited
Partners.
22
Section
2.4 Purpose
and Business.
The
purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall
be
to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other
arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved
by
the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership
organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise
all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the
agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary
or
appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions
or
loans to a Group Member; provided,
however,
that
the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or
indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would
cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation
or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. To the
fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or
obligation to propose or approve, and may decline to propose or approve, the
conduct by the Partnership of any business free of any fiduciary duty or
obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in
declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith
or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member
Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act
or
any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.
Section
2.5 Powers.
The
Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary
or
appropriate for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business
described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the
Partnership.
Section
2.6 Power
of Attorney.
(a) Each
Limited Partner hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if
a
Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator
(and any successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election
or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact,
as
the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent
and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and
xxxxx, to:
(i) execute,
swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public
offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this
Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or
restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator
determines to be necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the
existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or
a
partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State
of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct
business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments
that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or
appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change,
modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents
and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation)
that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or
appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and
other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution
of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article IV, Article
X,
Article XI or Article XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments
relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of
any
class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 5.6; and
(F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements
and
a certificate of merger) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion
of
the Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and
23
(ii) execute,
swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents,
approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the
General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate
to
(A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval,
agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or
is
consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or
intent of this Agreement; provided,
that
when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that
establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners
of
any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the
Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii)
only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners
or of
the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.
Nothing
contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General
Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as
may
be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.
(b) The
foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power
coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent
permitted by law, not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency,
disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited
Partner and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s
Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s heirs,
successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner
hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner
or
the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and
each
such Limited Partner, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives
any
and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the
action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such
power of attorney. Each Limited Partner shall execute and deliver to the General
Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor,
such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the
General Partner or the Liquidator may request in order to effectuate this
Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.
Section
2.7 Term.
The
term
of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited
Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence
until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions
of
Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall
continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as
provided in the Delaware Act.
24
Section
2.8 Title
to Partnership Assets.
Title
to
Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or
intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and
no
Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in
such
Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the
Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General
Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General
Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that
any
Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General
Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held
by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit
of
the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
provided,
however,
that
the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such
assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner
determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of
record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership
as soon as reasonably practicable; provided,
further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or
as
soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts
to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any
such
transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory
to
the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property
of
the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which
record title to such Partnership assets is held.
ARTICLE
III
RIGHTS
OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section
3.1 Limitation
of Liability.
The
Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as
expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
Section
3.2 Management
of Business.
No
Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation,
management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the
Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have
the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action
taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director,
employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General
Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager,
member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity
as
such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control of the business
of
the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning
of
Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate
the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this
Agreement.
25
Section
3.3 Outside
Activities of the Limited Partners.
Subject
to the provisions of Section 7.5, which shall continue to be applicable to
the
Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also
be
Limited Partners, any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business
interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to
the
Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition
with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other
Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business
ventures of any Limited Partner.
Section
3.4 Rights
of Limited Partners.
(a) In
addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and
except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right,
for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited
Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose
of such demand, and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:
(i) to
obtain
true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial
condition of the Partnership;
(ii) promptly
after its becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal,
state and local income tax returns for each year;
(iii) to
obtain
a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address
of each Partner;
(iv) to
obtain
a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all
amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers
of
attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited
Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;
(v) to
obtain
true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and
statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each
Partner and that each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the
date on which each became a Partner; and
(vi) to
obtain
such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just
and
reasonable.
(b) The
General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period
of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the
General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or
(ii)
other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith
believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could
damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is
required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other
than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which
is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section
3.4).
26
ARTICLE
IV
CERTIFICATES;
RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP
INTERESTS
Section
4.1 Certificates.
Upon
the
Partnership’s issuance of Common Units, Subordinated Units, Class B Units or
Class C Units to any Person, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request
of
such Person, one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing
the
number of such Units being so issued. In addition, (a) upon the General
Partner’s request, the Partnership shall issue to it one or more Certificates in
the name of the General Partner evidencing its General Partner Units and (b)
upon the request of any Person owning Incentive Distribution Rights or any
other
Partnership Securities other than Common Units, Subordinated Units, Class B
Units or Class C Units, the Partnership shall issue to such Person one or more
certificates evidencing such Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership
Securities other than Common Units, Subordinated Units, Class B Units or Class
C
Units. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the
Chairman of the Board, President or any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice
President or Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of
the
General Partner. No Common Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose
until
it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided,
however,
that if
the General Partner elects to issue Common Units in global form, the Common
Unit
Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer
Agent certifying that the Common Units have been duly registered in accordance
with the directions of the Partnership. Subject to the requirements of Section
6.7(c) and Section 6.7(e), the Partners holding Certificates evidencing
Subordinated Units may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing
Common Units on or after the date on which such Subordinated Units are converted
into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.7. Subject to the
requirements of Section 6.7(e), the Partners holding Certificates evidencing
Class B Units may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing Common
Units on or after the period set forth in Section 5.11(f) pursuant to the terms
of Section 5.11.
Section
4.2 Mutilated,
Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
(a) If
any
mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent (for Common Units)
or
the General Partner (for Partnership Securities other than Common Units), the
appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall
execute, and the Transfer Agent (for Common Units) or the General Partner (for
Partnership Securities other than Common Units) shall countersign and deliver
in
exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of
Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The
appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall
execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent (for Common Units) shall
countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued
if
the Record Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes
proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner,
that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or
stolen;
27
(ii) requests
the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that
the
Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without
notice of an adverse claim;
(iii) if
requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in
form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties
and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify
the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent
against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction
or theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies
any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.
If
a
Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period
of time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate,
and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate
is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent
receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making
any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent
for
such transfer or for a new Certificate.
(c) As
a
condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the
General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably
connected therewith.
Section
4.3 Record
Holders.
The
Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner
with
respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership
Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership
shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by
law
or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National
Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted
to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker,
dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the
foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity
for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between
the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such
representative Person shall be the Record Holder of such Partnership
Interest.
Section
4.4 Transfer
Generally.
(a) The
term
“transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest,
shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner
assigns its General Partner Units to another Person or by which a holder of
Incentive Distribution Rights assigns its Incentive Distribution Rights to
another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance,
hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise
or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest (other than an
Incentive Distribution Right) assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another
Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner, and includes a sale, assignment,
gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any
transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or
mortgage.
28
(b) No
Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any
transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance
with this Article IV shall be null and void.
(c) Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by
any
stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner of any or
all
of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other
ownership interests in the General Partner.
Section
4.5 Registration
and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
(a) The
General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership
a
register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe
and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide
for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests. The Transfer
Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of
registering Common Units and transfers of such Common Units as herein provided.
The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited
Partner Interests unless such transfers are effected in the manner described
in
this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer
of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to
the
provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner
on
behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common
Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the
holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to
the
holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same
aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by
the
Certificate so surrendered.
(b) Except
as
otherwise provided in Section 4.9, the General Partner shall not recognize
any
transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such
Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No
charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided,
that as
a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5,
the
General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or
other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.
(c) Subject
to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.3, (iii)
Section 4.8, (iv) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner
Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment
to
this Agreement establishing such class or series, (v) any contractual provisions
binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law including
the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests (other than the Incentive
Distribution Rights) shall be freely transferable.
(d) The
General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer
their Subordinated Units, Class B Units, Class C Units and Common Units (whether
issued upon conversion of the Subordinated Units or otherwise) to one or more
Persons.
29
Section
4.6 Transfer
of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest.
(a) Subject
to Section 4.6(c) below, prior to December 31, 2015, the General Partner shall
not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest (represented by
General Partner Units) to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved
by
the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of
the
Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner
and
its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner
Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual)
or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger
or consolidation of the General Partner with or into such other Person or the
transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to
such other Person.
(b) Subject
to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after December 31, 2015, the General Partner may
transfer all or any of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder
approval.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all
or
any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted
unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General
Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this
Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such
transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited
Partner under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an
association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity
for
federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed)
and
(iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion
thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest of the General
Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group
Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this
Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject
to
compliance with the terms of Section 10.3, be admitted to the Partnership as
the
General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner
Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without
dissolution.
Section
4.7 Transfer
of Incentive Distribution Rights.
Prior
to
December 31, 2015, a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer
any or all of the Incentive Distribution Rights held by such holder without
any
consent of the Unitholders to (a) an Affiliate of such holder (other than an
individual) or (b) another Person (other than an individual) in connection
with
(i) the merger or consolidation of such holder of Incentive Distribution Rights
with or into such other Person, (ii) the transfer by such holder of all or
substantially all of its assets to such other Person or (iii) the sale of all
the ownership interests in such holder. Any other transfer of the Incentive
Distribution Rights prior to December 31, 2015 shall require the prior
approval of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units
(excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). On
or
after September 30, 2015, the General Partner or any other holder of Incentive
Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights
without Unitholder approval. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
(i) the transfer of Class B Units issued pursuant to
Section 5.11, or the transfer of Common Units issued upon conversion of the
Class B Units, shall not be treated as a transfer of all or any part of the
Incentive Distribution Rights and (ii) no transfer of Incentive
Distribution Rights to another Person shall be permitted unless the transferee
agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
30
Section
4.8 Restrictions
on Transfers.
(a) Except
as
provided in Section 4.8(d) below, but notwithstanding the other provisions
of
this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if
such
transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities
laws
or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission
or
any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii)
terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws
of
the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be
treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed
as
an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated
or taxed).
(b) The
General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests
if it receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to
avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation
or
otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. The
General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement;
provided,
however,
that
any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of
any
class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange
on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted
to
trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders
of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such
class.
(c) The
transfer of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall
be
subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(c).
(d) The
transfer of a Class B Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be
subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(e).
(e) Nothing
contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude
the
settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into
through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such
Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.
(f) Each
certificate evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend
in
substantially the following form:
THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS,
LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL
OR
STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY
WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR
QUALIFICATION OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP TO BE TREATED AS AN
ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY
FOR
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED).
DCP
MIDSTREAM GP LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, MAY IMPOSE
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT
RISK OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR
OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE
RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF
ANY
NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO
TRADING.
31
Section
4.9 Citizenship
Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees.
(a) If
any
Group Member is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or
regulation that the General Partner determines would create a substantial risk
of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has
an
interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a
Limited Partner, the General Partner may request any Limited Partner to furnish
to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an
executed Citizenship Certification or such other information concerning his
nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the Limited Partner
is
a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality,
citizenship or other related status of such Person) as the General Partner
may
request. If a Limited Partner fails to furnish to the General Partner within
the
aforementioned 30-day period such Citizenship Certification or other requested
information or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other
requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner
is
not an Eligible Citizen, the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited
Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of
Section 4.10. In addition, the General Partner may require that the status
of
any such Limited Partner be changed to that of a Non-citizen Assignee and,
thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such Non-citizen
Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Limited
Partner Interests.
(b) The
General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner
Interests held by it on behalf of Non-citizen Assignees, distribute the votes
in
the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including the General Partner) in
respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Non-citizen Assignees
are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.
(c) Upon
dissolution of the Partnership, a Non-citizen Assignee shall have no right
to
receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled
to
the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange
for an assignment of the Non-citizen Assignee’s share of any distribution in
kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes
as a
purchase by the Partnership from the Non-citizen Assignee of his Limited Partner
Interest (representing his right to receive his share of such distribution
in
kind).
32
(d) At
any
time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Citizen,
a
Non-citizen Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request
that
with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Non-citizen Assignee
not
redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, such Non-citizen Assignee be admitted as
a
Limited Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Non-citizen
Assignee shall be admitted as a Limited Partner and shall no longer constitute
a
Non-citizen Assignee and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be
the
Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Limited Partner
Interests.
Section
4.10 Redemption
of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees.
(a) If
at any
time a Limited Partner fails to furnish a Citizenship Certification or other
information requested within the 30-day period specified in Section 4.9(a),
or
if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other information the
General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner
is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner
establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner
is an Eligible Citizen or has transferred his Partnership Interests to a Person
who is an Eligible Citizen and who furnishes a Citizenship Certification to
the
General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem
the Limited Partner Interest of such Limited Partner as follows:
(i) The
General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for
redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner, at his last
address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent,
by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to
have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable
Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment
of
the redemption price will be made upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing
the Redeemable Interests and that on and after the date fixed for redemption
no
further allocations or distributions to which the Limited Partner would
otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or
be
made.
(ii) The
aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal
to
the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date
fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so
redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such
class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be
paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a
promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption
price, bearing interest at the rate of 5% annually and payable in three equal
annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing
one
year after the redemption date.
(iii) Upon
surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner, at the place specified in
the
notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests,
duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank,
the Limited Partner or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled
to
receive the payment therefor.
33
(iv) After
the
redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and
Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.
(b) The
provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner
Interests held by a Limited Partner as nominee of a Person determined to be
other than an Eligible Citizen.
(c) Nothing
in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption
from
transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such
transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice
of
such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption,
provided
the
transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of
the
General Partner that he is an Eligible Citizen. If the transferee fails to
make
such certification, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on
the
original redemption date.
ARTICLE
V
CAPITAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section
5.1 Organizational
Contributions.
In
connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the
General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in
the
amount of $40.00, for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and
has
been admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational
Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in
the
amount of $1,960.00 for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and
has been admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing
Date, the interest of the Organizational Limited Partner shall be redeemed
as
provided in the Contribution Agreement; and the initial Capital Contribution
of
the Organizational Limited Partner shall thereupon be refunded. Ninety-eight
percent of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the
investment or other use of such initial Capital Contributions shall be allocated
and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, and the balance thereof
shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner.
Section
5.2 Contributions
by the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) On
the
Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement: (i) the General
Partner shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all
of
its ownership interests in DCP Assets Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited
partnership (“DCP
LP Holdings”),
in
exchange for (A) 357,143 General Partner Units representing a continuation
of
its 2% General Partner Interest, subject to all of the rights, privileges and
duties of the General Partner under this Agreement, (B) the Incentive
Distribution Rights, (C) the right to receive $4.3 million to reimburse the
General Partner for certain capital expenditures and (D) the right to receive
$183.0 million from the net proceeds of borrowings by the OLP on the Closing
Date pursuant to the Credit Agreement; and (ii) DCP LP Holdings shall
contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its limited
partner interests in DCP Assets Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership,
in
exchange for 1,357,143 Common Units, 7,142,857 Subordinated Units and the right
to receive $4.3 million in reimbursement for certain capital
expenditures.
34
(b) Upon
the
issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other
than the Common Units issued in the Initial Offering, the Common Units issued
pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option, the Common Units and Subordinated Units
issued pursuant to Section 5.2(a), any Class B Units issued pursuant to Section
5.11 and any Common Units issued upon conversion of Class B Units or Class
C
Units), the General Partner may, in exchange for a proportionate number of
General Partner Units, make additional Capital Contributions in an amount equal
to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the quotient determined by dividing
(A) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (B) 100 less the General
Partner’s Percentage Interest times (ii) the amount contributed to the
Partnership by the Limited Partners in exchange for such additional Limited
Partner Interests. Except as set forth in Article XII, the General Partner
shall
not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the
Partnership.
Section
5.3 Contributions
by Initial Limited Partners.
(a) On
the
Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall
contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per
Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in
the
Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Closing Date.
In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership
shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital
Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing
(i)
the cash contribution to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter
by
(ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.
(b) Upon
the
exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter shall contribute to
the
Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit,
multiplied by the number of Common Units to be purchased by such Underwriter
at
the Option Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the
Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter
on
whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contributions to the Partnership
by
or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common
Unit. Upon receipt by the Partnership of the Capital Contributions from the
Underwriters as provided in this Section 5.3(b), the Partnership shall use
such
cash to purchase United States Treasury and other qualifying securities, which
will be assigned as collateral to secure borrowings that are, in turn, used
to
redeem at the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, on a Pro Rata basis, from
DCP
LP :Holdings, LP that number of Common Units held by DCP LP Holdings, LP equal
to the number of Common Units issued to the Underwriters as provided in this
Section 5.3(b).
(c) No
Limited Partner Interests will be issued or issuable as of or at the Closing
Date other than (i) the Common Units issuable pursuant to subparagraph (a)
hereof in aggregate number equal to 9,000,000, (ii) the “Option Units” as such
term is used in the Underwriting Agreement in an aggregate number up to
1,350,000 issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to
subparagraph (b) hereof, (iii) the 7,142,857 Subordinated Units issuable to
pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, (iv) the 1,357,143 Common Units issuable
pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, and (v) the Incentive Distribution
Rights.
35
Section
5.4 Interest
and Withdrawal.
No
interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner
or Assignee shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital
Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant
to
this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as
such
by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to
the
extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority
over
any other Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions
or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise
to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the
Delaware Act.
Section
5.5 Capital
Accounts.
(a) The
Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of
Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has
furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with
Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General
Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect
to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the
amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to
such
Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain
(including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section
5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to
Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of
all
actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such
Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss
computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to
such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.
(b) For
purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction
which is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the
Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of
any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and
classification for federal income tax purposes (including any method of
depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided,
that:
(i) Solely
for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning
directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based
upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement or governing,
organizational or similar documents) of all property owned by any other Group
Member that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes
and
(y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business
or
other entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes of
which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner.
36
(ii) All
fees
and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to
sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under
Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account
maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other
expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to
Section 6.1.
(iii) Except
as
otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the
computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made
without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made
by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B)
or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are
not
includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized
for federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted
tax
basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the
Code
is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m),
to be
taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such
adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or
loss.
(iv) Any
income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership
property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of
such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying
Value with respect to such property as of such date.
(v) In
accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions
for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed
Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the
date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such
property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value
of
any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization,
any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization
attributable to such property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis
of
such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately
following such adjustment.
(vi) If
the
Partnership’s adjusted basis in a depreciable or cost recovery property is
reduced for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 48(q)(1) or 48(q)(3)
of the Code, the amount of such reduction shall, solely for purposes hereof,
be
deemed to be an additional depreciation or cost recovery deduction in the year
such property is placed in service and shall be allocated among the Partners
pursuant to Section 6.1. Any restoration of such basis pursuant to Section
48(q)(2) of the Code shall, to the extent possible, be allocated in the same
manner to the Partners to whom such deemed deduction was allocated.
(c) (i) A
transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of
the
Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so
transferred.
(ii) Subject
to Section 6.7(c), immediately prior to the transfer of a Subordinated Unit
or
of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section
5.7 by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the
General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(ii) apply), the Capital
Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Subordinated Units or
converted Subordinated Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated
Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred in an amount equal
to
the product of (x) the number of such Subordinated Units or converted
Subordinated Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for
a
Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account
will
be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any
Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units (“Retained
Converted Subordinated Units”).
Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any,
maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted
Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated
under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established
with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated
Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A)
hereinabove.
37
(d) (i) In
accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance
of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the
issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services
or the conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units
pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of all Partners and the
Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance
shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or
Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized
Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such
property immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated to the
Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item
of
gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been allocated.
In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash
amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash
equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership
Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of
valuation as it may adopt; provided,
however,
that
the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account
the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such
time.
The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of
the
Partnership (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a fair market value
for individual properties.
(ii) In
accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately
prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership
property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or
retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners
and
the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or
downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to
such
Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been
recognized in a sale of such property immediately prior to such distribution
for
an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated to the
Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item
of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been
allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate
cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash
or
cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case
of
an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to Section 12.4 or in the
case
of a deemed distribution, be determined and allocated in the same manner as
that
provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution
pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using
such method of valuation as it may adopt.
38
Section
5.6 Issuances
of Additional Partnership Securities.
(a) The
Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights,
warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for
any
Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such
consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall
determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
(b) Each
additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership
pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or
more
series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers
and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership
Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right
to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right
to
share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and
liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions
upon
which, the Partnership may redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such
Partnership Security is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange
and,
if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms
and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced
by
certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining
the
Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Security; and (viii) the right,
if
any, of each such Partnership Security to vote on Partnership matters, including
matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such
Partnership Security.
(c) The
General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or
appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities
and
options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership
Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the General
Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) or any Incentive
Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii)
the issuance of Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11 and the conversion of
Class B Units into Common Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iv)
reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the books and
records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest
and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities. The General Partner
shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the
Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued. The General Partner
shall
do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and
directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate
in
connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities or in connection
with the conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive
Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement,
including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any
federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange
on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed or admitted to
trading.
39
(d) No
fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.
Section
5.7 Conversion
of Subordinated Units.
(a) A
total
of 50% of the Outstanding Subordinated Units will convert into Common Units
on a
one-for-one basis on the second Business Day following the distribution of
Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter
ending on or after December 31, 2007, in respect of which:
(i) distributions
of Available Cash from Operating Surplus under Section 6.4(a) on each of
the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding
Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated
Units and the General Partner Units with respect to each of the two consecutive,
non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled
or
exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Outstanding
Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are
senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units and the
General Partner Units during such periods;
(ii) the
Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the two consecutive, non-overlapping
four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the
sum
of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated
Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution
to
the Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully
Diluted Basis and the General Partner Units, with respect to such periods;
and
(iii) there
are
no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
(b) An
additional 50% of the Outstanding Subordinated Units will convert into Common
Units on a one-for-one basis on the second Business Day following the
distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect
of any Quarter ending on or after December 31, 2008, in respect of
which:
(i) distributions
of Available Cash from Operating Surplus under Section 6.4(a) on each of
the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding
Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated
Units and the General Partner Units with respect to each of the two consecutive,
non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled
or
exceeded 125% of the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the
Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units
that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units
and
the General Partner Units during such periods;
(ii) the
Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the two consecutive, non-overlapping
four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded 125%
of
the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units,
Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of
distribution to the Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such periods
on a Fully Diluted Basis and the General Partner Units, with respect to such
periods; and
40
(iii) there
are
no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages;
provided,
however,
that
the conversion of Subordinated Units pursuant to this Section 5.7(b) may not
occur until at least one year following the end of the last four-Quarter period
in respect of which conversion of Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.7(a)
occurred.
(c) In
the
event that less than all of the Outstanding Subordinated Units shall convert
into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7(a) or (b) at a time when there shall
be more than one holder of Subordinated Units, then, unless all of the holders
of Subordinated Units shall agree to a different allocation, the Subordinated
Units that are to be converted into Common Units shall be allocated among the
holders of Subordinated Units pro rata based on the number of Subordinated
Units
held by each such holder.
(d) Any
Subordinated Units that are not converted into Common Units pursuant to Section
5.7(a) or (b) shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the
second Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners
pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of the final Quarter of the Subordination
Period.
(e) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, all the then Outstanding Subordinated
Units will automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis as
set
forth in, and pursuant to the terms of, Section 11.4.
(f) A
Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to
the
provisions of Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c).
Section
5.8 Limited
Preemptive Right.
Except
as
provided in this Section 5.8 and in Section 5.2, no Person shall have any
preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance
of
any Partnership Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter
created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to
time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase
Partnership Securities from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms
that, the Partnership issues Partnership Securities to Persons other than the
General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the
Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that
which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership
Securities.
Section
5.9 Splits
and Combinations.
(a) Subject
to Section 5.9(d), Section 6.6 and Section 6.9 (dealing with adjustments of
distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of
Partnership Securities to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or
combination of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each
Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before
such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common
Unit Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of
Units (including the number of Subordinated Units that may convert prior to
the
end of the Subordination Period) are proportionately adjusted.
41
(b) Whenever
such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is
declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the
distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send
notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder
as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General
Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by
it
to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each Record
Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination.
The
General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such
firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.
(c) Promptly
following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership
may
issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Securities as of the
applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities
held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other
procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such
changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of
Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a
condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the
surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to
such Record Date.
(d) The
Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision
or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units
would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of
this
Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole
Unit
(and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).
Section
5.10 Fully
Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests.
All
Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the
requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited
Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may
be
affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.
Section
5.11 Issuance
of Class B Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution
Rights.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of this Section 5.11, the holder of the Incentive Distribution
Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution
Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution
Rights) shall have the right, at any time when there are no Subordinated Units
outstanding and the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to Section
6.4(b)(v) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters and the amount
of each such distribution did not exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus for such
Quarter, to make an election (the “IDR
Reset Election”)
to
cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be
reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection
therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will
become entitled to receive their respective proportionate share of a number
of
Class B Units derived by dividing (i) the average amount of cash
distributions made by the Partnership for the two full Quarters immediately
preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.11(b)) in
respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash
distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit for the
two
full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the number
of Class B Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the
“Aggregate
Quantity of Class B Units”).
The
making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in Section 5.11(b)
shall cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions
to
be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection
therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will
become entitled to receive Class B Units on the basis specified above,
without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders,
at the time specified in Section 5.11(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is
rescinded pursuant to Section 5.11(d).
42
(b) To
exercise the right specified in Section 5.11(a), the holder of the
Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the
Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the
Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written notice (the “Reset
Notice”)
to the
Partnership. Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Partnership of
such Reset Notice, as the case may be, the Partnership shall deliver a written
notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the
Partnership’s determination of the aggregate number of Class B Units which
each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to
receive.
(c) The
holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to
receive the Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units on the fifteenth Business
Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice, and the Partnership
shall issue Certificates for the Class B Units to the holder or holders of
the
Incentive Distribution Rights; provided,
however,
that
the issuance of Class B Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive
Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or
admission for trading of the Common Units into which the Class B Units are
convertible pursuant to Section 5.11(f) by the principal National
Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted
for
trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations
of such National Securities Exchange.
(d) In
the
event that the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common
Units are then traded have not approved the listing or admission for trading
of
the Common Units into which the Class B Units are convertible pursuant to
Section 5.11(f) on or before the 30th calendar day following the
Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the
rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder
of
the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of
the
Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the
Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind the IDR
Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Securities having such
terms as the General Partner may approve, with the approval of the Conflicts
Committee, that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate,
as the Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units would have had at the time of
the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General
Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion of such Partnership
Securities into Common Units within not more than 12 months following the
Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more
conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the Incentive
Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive
Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive
Distribution Rights).
43
(e) The
Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target
Distribution and Third Target Distribution shall be adjusted at the time of
the
issuance of Common Units or other Partnership Securities pursuant to this
Section 5.11 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall be reset
to
equal to the average cash distribution amount per Common Unit for the two
Quarters immediately prior to the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice (the
“Reset
MQD”),
(ii)
the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD,
(iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal to 125% of the
Reset MQD and (iv) the Third Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 150%
of
the Reset MQD.
(f) Any
holder of Class B Units shall have the right to elect, by giving written notice
to the General Partner, to convert all or a portion of the Class B Units
held by such holder, at any time following the first anniversary of the issuance
of such Class B Units, into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, such conversion
to be effective on the second Business Day following the General Partner’s
receipt of such written notice.
Section
5.12 Establishment
of Terms of Class C Units.
(a) There
is
hereby created a series of Units to be designated as “Class C Units,” consisting
of a total of _________ Class C Units and having the following terms and
conditions:
1. Prior
to
the conversion of the Class C Units as provided in paragraph (b) or paragraph
(d) of this Section 5.12, unless amended pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
Section 5.12 hereof:
(A) all
items
of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit shall be made to the
Class C Units to the same extent as such items would be so allocated if such
Class C Units were Common Units that were then outstanding; and
(B) the
Class
C Units shall have the right to share in Partnership distributions and shall
have rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, including
the
right to share in any liquidating distributions, in each case to the same extent
as if such Class C Units were Common Units that were then
outstanding.
2. The
Class
C Units will not be convertible into any other class of securities of the
Partnership except to the extent specified in paragraph (b) or paragraph (d)
of
this Section 5.12.
3. The
Class
C Units will have such voting rights pursuant to the Partnership Agreement
as
such Class C Units would have if they were Common Units that were then
outstanding; and each Class C Unit will be entitled to one vote on each matter
with respect to which such Common Unit is entitled to be voted; provided,
however, that the Class C Common Units shall not be entitled to vote, and shall
not be deemed outstanding for purposes of determining a quorum, with respect
to
voting on the matters referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 5.12. Each
reference in the Partnership Agreement to a vote of holders of Common Units,
other than the vote of holders of Common Units pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this
Section 5.12, shall be deemed to be a reference to the holders of Common Units
and Class C Units.
44
4. The
Class
C Units will be evidenced by certificates in such form as the General Partner
may approve and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable legal and
regulatory requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical
to
the assignment and transfer of other Units.
5. The
General Partner will act as registrar and transfer agent for the Class C
Units.
6. Except
as
otherwise provided in this Agreement and unless the context otherwise requires,
for purposes of allocations referred to in paragraph (1)(A), the right to share
in Partnership distributions referred to in paragraph (1)(B), rights upon
dissolution and liquidation referred to in paragraph (1)(B), and voting rights
referred to in paragraph (3), and for all other purposes, the Class C Units
and
the Common Units shall be considered as a single class of Units, each Class
C
Unit shall be treated in a manner that is identical, in all respects, to each
Common Unit, and each reference in the Partnership Agreement to Common Units
shall also be deemed to be a reference to Class C Units.
(b) The
Partnership shall, as promptly as practicable following the written request
of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class C Units at any time following
the second anniversary of the initial issuance of Class C Units, take such
actions as may be necessary or appropriate to submit to a vote or consent of
its
securityholders the approval of a change in the terms of the Class C Units
to
provide that each Class C Unit is convertible into one Common Unit (subject
to
appropriate adjustment in the event of any split-up, combination or similar
event affecting the Common Units), effective upon approval of the issuance
of
additional Common Units in accordance with the following sentence, and in the
event that such approval is not obtained upon the solicitation of such vote
or
consent, the Partnership shall take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to resubmit to a vote or consent of its securityholders the approval
of such change in the terms of the Class C Units until such approval is
obtained, provided that the Partnership shall not be obligated to resubmit
such
matter for approval more than once in any 12-month period. The vote or consent
required for such approval will be the requisite vote required under the
Partnership Agreement and under New York Stock Exchange rules or staff
interpretations for listing of the Common Units that would be issued upon any
such conversion. Upon receipt of the required vote or consent, automatically
and
without further action, each Class C Unit shall be converted into one Common
Unit (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any split-up,
combination or similar event affecting the Common Units).
(c) If
the
Partnership’s securityholders do not approve a change in the terms of the Class
C Units to provide that they are convertible as provided in paragraph (b) of
this Section 5.12 hereof by the requisite vote on or before the date that is
six
months following the date of the written request made pursuant to paragraph
(b)
of this Section 5.12, then, effective as of the next succeeding day (the “Class
C Distribution Increase Day”), then:
45
(i) Section
(a)(1) hereof will be deleted and replaced in its entirety, automatically and
without further action, with the following:
“1. Prior
to
the conversion of the Class C Units as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section
5.12 hereof:
(A) all
allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit
shall be allocated to the Class C Units based on 115% of that which would be
allocated to the Common Units so that the amount thereof allocated to each
Class
C Unit will be 115% of the amount thereof allocated to each Common Unit;
and
(B) the
Class
C Units shall have the right to share in Partnership distributions based on
115%
of the amount of any Partnership distribution that would be made to each Common
Unit so that the amount of any Partnership distribution to each Class C Unit
will equal 115% of the amount of such distribution to each Common Unit;
and
(C) the
Class
C Units shall have rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership,
including the right to share in any liquidating distributions, that are based
on
115% of the liquidating distributions that would be made to the Common Units
so
that the amount of any liquidating distribution to each Class C Unit will equal
115% of the amount of such distribution to each Common Unit.”; and
(ii) Concurrently
with the distribution made in accordance with Section 6.3(a) of the Partnership
Agreement in respect of Available Cash first occurring after the Class C
Distribution Increase Day (as defined above), with respect to the Quarter in
which the conversion of the Class C Units is effected in accordance with the
preceding sentence, an amount of cash equal to the amount of the distribution
calculated in accordance with Section (c)(1)(B) above shall be paid to each
holder of record of the Class C Units as of the effective date of such
conversion, with the amount of such distribution to be equal to the product
of
(a) 15% of the amount to be distributed in respect of such Quarter to each
Common Unit times (b) a fraction, of which (i) the numerator is the number
of
days in such Quarter up to but excluding the date of such conversion, and (ii)
the denominator is the total number of days in such Quarter (the foregoing
amount being referred to as an “Excess Payment”). For the taxable year in which
an Excess Payment is made, each holder of a Class C Unit shall be allocated
items of gross income with respect to such taxable year in an amount equal
to
the Excess Payment distributed to it.
(d) If
at any
time (i) the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange
staff interpretations of such rules are changed or (ii) facts and circumstances
arise so that no vote or consent of securityholders of the Partnership is
required as a condition to the listing of the Common Units that would be issued
upon any conversion of any Class C Units into Common Units as provided in
paragraph (b) of this Section 5.12, the terms of such Class C Units will be
changed so that each such Class C Unit is converted (without further action
or
any vote of any securityholders of the Partnership) into one Common Unit
(subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any split-up, combination
or
similar event affecting the Common Units).
46
(e) Upon
receipt of the approval of the holders of the Common Units to convert the Class
C Common Units into Common Units in accordance with paragraph (b) of this
Section 5.12, a change in rules of the National Securities Exchange or a change
in facts and circumstances as described in paragraph (d) of this Section 5.12,
the General Partner shall give the holders of the Class C Units prompt notice
of
such approval or change and each holder of Class C Units shall promptly
surrender the Class C Unit Certificates therefore, duly endorsed, at the office
of the General Partner or of any transfer agent for the Class C Units. In the
case of any such conversion, the Partnership shall, as soon as practicable
thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Class C Units
one
or more Common Unit Certificates, registered in the name of such holder, for
the
number of Common Units to which he shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such
conversion shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of the event
specified in paragraph (b) or paragraph (d) of this Section 5.12, as the case
may be, and the Person entitled to receive the Common Units issuable upon such
conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such Common
Units on said date.
ARTICLE
VI
ALLOCATIONS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Section
6.1 Allocations
for Capital Account Purposes.
For
purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights
of
the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and
deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) shall be allocated among
the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein
below.
(a) Net
Income.
After
giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net
Income for each taxable year and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction
taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable year shall be
allocated as follows:
(i) First,
100% to the General Partner, in an amount equal to the aggregate Net Losses
allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all
previous taxable years until the aggregate Net Income allocated to the General
Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current taxable year and
all
previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to the
General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable
years;
(ii) Second,
100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Income allocated to
such Partners pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) for the current taxable year
and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated
to
such Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable years;
and
47
(iii) Third,
the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in
accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
(b) Net
Losses.
After
giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net
Losses for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction
taken into account in computing Net Losses for such taxable period shall be
allocated as follows:
(i) First,
100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Losses allocated
pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous
taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Income allocated to such Partners
pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(iii) for all previous taxable years, provided
that the
Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the
extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance
in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase
any
existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account);
(ii) Second,
100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests; provided,
that
Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(ii) to the
extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance
in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase
any
existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and
(iii) Third,
the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
(c) Net
Termination Gains and Losses.
After
giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), all items
of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net
Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss for such taxable period shall be
allocated in the same manner as such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination
Loss is allocated hereunder. All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall
be
made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations
provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash
provided under Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 have been made; provided,
however,
that
solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be
adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.
(i) If
a Net
Termination Gain is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section
5.5(d)), such Net Termination Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in
the
following manner (and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be increased
by
the amount so allocated in each of the following subclauses, in the order
listed, before an allocation is made pursuant to the next succeeding
subclause):
(A) First,
to
each Partner having a deficit balance in its Capital Account, in the proportion
that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Capital
Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net
Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Capital
Account;
48
(B) Second,
(x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y)
to
all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100%
less
the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B), until the Capital
Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum
of
(1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution
for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any
distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or Section 6.4(b)(i) with
respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant
to
this clause (2) is hereinafter defined as the “Unpaid MQD”) and (3) any then
existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage;
(C) Third,
if
such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior
to
the conversion of the last Outstanding Class B Unit, (x) to the General Partner
in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding
Class B Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage
applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (C), until the Capital Account in
respect of each Class B Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its
Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution
for
the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any
distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Class B Unit
for
such Quarter;
(D) Fourth,
if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized)
prior
to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General
Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders
holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the
percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (D), until the Capital
Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum
of
(1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable year (or
portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) the Minimum
Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs,
reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iii) with respect to
such
Subordinated Unit for such Quarter;
(E) Fifth,
100% to the General Partner and all Unitholders in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until the Capital Account in respect of each
Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial
Unit Price, (2) the Unpaid MQD, (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit
Arrearage, and (4) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the
Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence
over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available
Cash
that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iv)
and
Section 6.4(b)(ii) (the sum of (1), (2), (3) and (4) is hereinafter defined
as
the “First
Liquidation Target Amount”);
(F) Sixth,
(x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y)
13%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of this clause (F), until the
Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to
the
sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa)
the
Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter
of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any
distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made
pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(v) and Section 6.4(b)(iii) (the sum of (1) and (2)
is
hereinafter defined as the “Second
Liquidation Target Amount”);
49
(G) Seventh,
(x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y)
23%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of this clause (G), until the
Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to
the
sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa)
the
Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter
of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any
distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made
pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(vi) and Section 6.4(b)(iv) (the sum of (1) and (2)
is
hereinafter defined as the “Third
Liquidation Target Amount”);
and
(H) Finally,
(x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y)
48%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of this clause (H).
(ii) If
a Net
Termination Loss is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section
5.5(d)), such Net Termination Loss shall be allocated among the Partners in
the
following manner:
(A) First,
if
such Net Termination Loss is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior
to
the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General
Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders
holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the
percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (A), until the Capital
Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced
to zero;
(B) Second,
(x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y)
to
the Class B Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the
percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B) until the Capital
Account in respect of each Class B Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to
zero;
(C) Third,
(x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y)
to
all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage
applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B) until the Capital Account in
respect of each Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and
(D) Fourth,
the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
50
(d) Special
Allocations.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special
allocations shall be made for such taxable period:
(i) Partnership
Minimum Gain Chargeback.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net
decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period,
each
Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period
(and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided
in
Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i),
or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s
Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of
income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application
of
any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such
taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and
Section 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the
Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(ii) Chargeback
of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section
6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4),
if
there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any
Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse
Debt
Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items
of
Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent
periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections
1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes
of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be
determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be
effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this
Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation
pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such
taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the
chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
(iii) Priority
Allocations.
(A) If
the
amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except
cash
or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) to any Unitholder with respect
to its Units for a taxable year is greater (on a per Unit basis) than the amount
of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed to the other Unitholders
with respect to their Units (on a per Unit basis), then (1) there shall be
allocated income and gain to each Unitholder receiving such greater cash or
property distribution until the aggregate amount of such items allocated
pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current taxable year and all
previous taxable years is equal to the product of (aa) the amount by which
the
distribution (on a per Unit basis) to such Unitholder exceeds the distribution
(on a per Unit basis) to the Unitholders receiving the smallest distribution
and
(bb) the number of Units owned by the Unitholder receiving the greater
distribution; and (2) the General Partner shall be allocated income and gain
in
an aggregate amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (aa) the
quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at
the time in which the greater cash or property distribution occurs by (y) the
sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time in which
the greater cash or property distribution occurs times (bb) the sum of the
amounts allocated in clause (1) above.
51
(B) After
the
application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), all or any portion of the remaining
items
of Partnership income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated
(1) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the
aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive
Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current
taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the cumulative amount
of
all Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights
from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable
year; and (2) to the General Partner an amount equal to the product of (aa)
an amount equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s
Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage
Interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause
(1) above.
(iv) Qualified
Income Offset.
In the
event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or
distributions described in Treasury Regulation
Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially
allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate,
to
the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b)
of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account
created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible
unless such deficit balance is otherwise eliminated pursuant to Section
6.1(d)(i) or Section 6.1(d)(ii).
(v) Gross
Income Allocations.
In the
event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of
any
Partnership taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner
is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B)
the
amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be
specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in the amount of such
excess as quickly as possible; provided,
that an
allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to
the
extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account
as
adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have
been
tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this
Agreement.
(vi) Nonrecourse
Deductions.
Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners
in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner
determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in
a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury
Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner
is
authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio
to
the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.
(vii) Partner
Nonrecourse Deductions.
Partner
Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the
Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner
Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable
in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one
Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse
Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be
allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which
they share such Economic Risk of Loss.
52
(viii) Nonrecourse
Liabilities.
For
purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree
that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A)
the
amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse
Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests.
(ix) Code
Section 754 Adjustments.
To the
extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant
to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining
Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall
be
treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset)
or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or
loss
shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the
manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant
to
such Section of the Treasury Regulations.
(x) Economic
Uniformity.
(A) At
the
election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon,
or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of
the
remaining items of Partnership income or gain for such taxable period, after
taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be
allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding
as of the termination of the Subordination Period (“Final
Subordinated Units”)
in the
proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to
the
total number of Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such
Partner has been allocated an amount of income or gain that increases the
Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units to
an
amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Final Subordinated Units held
by such Partner and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The
purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital
Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying
Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates
immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common
Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will
be
available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital
Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the
transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii)
does
not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated
Units.
53
(B) At
the
election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon,
or after, the conversion of the Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11(f),
all
or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership income or gain for such
taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section
6.1(d)(iii) and Section 6.1(d)(x)(A), shall be allocated 100% to the holder
or
holders of the Common Units resulting from the conversion pursuant to Section
5.11(f) (“Converted
Common Units”)
in the
proportion of the number of the Converted Common Units held by such holder
or
holders to the total number of Converted Common Units then Outstanding, until
each such holder has been allocated an amount of income or gain that increases
the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Converted Common Units
to an
amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Converted Common Units held
by
such holder and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose
of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts
underlying Converted Common Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common
Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates
immediately prior to the receipt of Common Units pursuant to
Section 5.11(f).
(xi) Curative
Allocation.
(A) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations,
the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed
Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of income,
gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required
Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net
amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under
the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative
Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. Notwithstanding
the
preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions
shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a
decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions
shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a
decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Allocations pursuant to
this
Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations
to
the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise
be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners. Further,
allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with
respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent
the
General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by
subsequent Required Allocations.
(B) The
General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the
provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize
the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required
Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A)
among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic
distortions.
54
(xii) Corrective
Allocations.
In the
event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any
Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following
rules shall apply:
(A) In
the
case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than
an
allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof),
the General Partner shall allocate additional items of income and gain away
from
the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights to the Unitholders and the General
Partner, or additional items of deduction and loss away from the Unitholders
and
the General Partner to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to the
extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items allocated to the
Unitholders or the General Partner exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis
Derivative Items. For this purpose, the Unitholders and the General Partner
shall be treated as being allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items
to
the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the
amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders
or
the General Partner under the Partnership Agreement (e.g., Additional Book
Basis
Derivative Items taken into account in computing cost of goods sold would reduce
the amount of book income otherwise available for allocation among the
Partners). Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii)(A)
shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if
this Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent
necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated
pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.
(B) In
the
case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners
resulting from a Book-Down Event or from the recognition of a Net Termination
Loss, such negative adjustment (1) shall first be allocated, to the extent
of
the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in such a manner, as
determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate
Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been
the
Capital Account balance of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred,
and (2) any negative adjustment in excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net
Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)
hereof.
(C) In
making
the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the General Partner
may
apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy
the
purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii).
Section
6.2 Allocations
for Tax Purposes.
(a) Except
as
otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income,
gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same
manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is
allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
(b) In
an
attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property
or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization
and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes
among the Partners as follows:
(i) (A)
In
the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be
allocated among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of
the
Code that takes into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such
property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution; and (B) any item
of
Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall
be
allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of
“book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
55
(ii) (A)
In
the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall (1) first, be allocated
among
the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of
the
Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable
to
such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or
Section 5.5(d)(ii), and (2) second, in the event such property was originally
a
Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent
with Section 6.2(b)(i)(A); and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss
attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners
in
the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated
pursuant to Section 6.1.
(iii) The
General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-3(d) to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities, except with respect to goodwill
contributed to the Partnership upon formation.
(c) For
the
proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity
of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General
Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining
the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii)
make
special allocations for federal income tax purposes of income (including gross
income) or deductions; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as
appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations
under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve
or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes
thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations
and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.2(c)
only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material
adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited
Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such
allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the
Code.
(d) The
General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an
adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized
appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax
Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or
amortization method and useful life applied to the Partnership’s common basis of
such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury
Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If
the
General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be
taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions
under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same
month
would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same
applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s
property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method,
the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions
to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited
Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse
effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes
of
Limited Partner Interests.
56
(e) In
accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1245-1(e), any gain allocated
to
the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership
asset
shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required
allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture
Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or
their
predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or
indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture
Income.
(f) All
items
of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for
federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with
the
provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under
Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided,
however,
that
such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by
the
General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required
by
Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.
(g) Each
item
of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction, for federal income tax
purposes, shall be determined on an annual basis and prorated on a monthly
basis
and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock
Exchange on the first Business Day of each month; provided,
however,
such
items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day
of
the month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the
Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the
opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of the next
succeeding month; and provided,
further,
that
gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership
or
any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized other
than in the ordinary course of business, as determined by the General Partner,
shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock
Exchange on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss
is
recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise,
alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted
or
required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated
thereunder.
(h) Allocations
that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this
Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner
Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished
the
identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c)
of
the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.
Section
6.3 Requirement
and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record
Holders.
(a) Within
45
days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on
December 31, 2005, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect
to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be
distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the
Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts
of
Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall
be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available
Cash
theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section
6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of
the
immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash
distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided
in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “Capital Surplus.” All distributions required to
be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Section 17-607 of the
Delaware Act.
57
(b) Notwithstanding
Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the
Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the
Liquidation Date occurs shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance
with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.
(c) The
General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts
withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a
distribution of Available Cash to such Partners.
(d) Each
distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the
Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person
or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the
Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full
payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such
payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in
such
payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
Section
6.4 Distributions
of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.
(a) During
Subordination Period.
Available Cash with respect to any Quarter within the Subordination Period
that
is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3
or
6.5 shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed as
follows, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 5.6 in respect of other
Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto:
(i) First,
to
the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Common Units, in accordance
with
their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in
respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum
Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(ii) Second,
to the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Common Units, in accordance
with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed
in
respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative
Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such Quarter;
(iii) Third,
to
the General Partner and the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, in
accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there has been
distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding an amount
equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(iv) Fourth,
to the General Partner and all Unitholders, in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit
then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution
over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
58
(v) Fifth,
(A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B)
13%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v) until there
has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal
to
the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution
for such Quarter;
(vi) Sixth,
(A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B)
23%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this subclause (vi), until
there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount
equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target
Distribution for such Quarter; and
(vii) Thereafter,
(A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B)
48%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause
(vii);
provided,
however,
if the
Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target
Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero
pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available
Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will
be
made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(a)(vii).
(b) After
Subordination Period.
Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the Subordination Period that
is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3
or
Section 6.5, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, shall be distributed
as follows, except as otherwise required by Section 5.6(b) in respect of
additional Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto:
(i) First,
100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect
of
each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution
for such Quarter;
(ii) Second,
100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect
of
each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target
Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such
Quarter;
(iii) Third,
(A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B)
13%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iii), until
there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount
equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target
Distribution for such Quarter;
59
(iv) Fourth,
(A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B)
23%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclause (A) and (B) of this clause (iv), until
there
has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal
to
the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution
for such Quarter; and
(v) Thereafter,
(A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B)
48%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all
Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the
percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause
(v);
provided,
however,
if the
Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target
Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero
pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available
Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will
be
made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(b)(v).
Section
6.5 Distributions
of Available Cash from Capital Surplus.
Available
Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of
Section 6.3(a) shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be
distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 100% to
the
General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests, until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired
on
the Closing Date has received with respect to such Common Unit, during the
period since the Closing Date through such date, distributions of Available
Cash
that are deemed to be Capital Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the
Initial Unit Price. Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus shall
then be distributed to the General Partner and all Unitholders holding Common
Units, in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, until there
has
been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount
equal
to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall
be
distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in
accordance with Section 6.4.
Section
6.6 Adjustment
of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution
Levels.
(a) The
Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target
Distribution, Third Target Distribution, Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative
Common Unit Arrearages shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any
distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution
payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Securities in
accordance with Section 5.9. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash
that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly
Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third
Target Distribution, shall be adjusted proportionately downward to equal the
product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable Minimum Quarterly
Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third
Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction of which the numerator
is
the Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately after giving
effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the Unrecovered
Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to
such distribution.
60
(b) The
Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target
Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment
pursuant to Section 5.11 and Section 6.9.
Section
6.7 Special
Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units and Class B
Units.
(a) Except
with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote
or
approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the
right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and
distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holder of a Subordinated
Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common
Units hereunder; provided,
however,
that
immediately upon the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant
to Section 5.7, the Unitholder holding a Subordinated Unit shall possess all
of
the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder,
including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate
in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with
respect to Common Units; provided,
however,
that
such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of
Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x)(A), 6.7(b) and 6.7(c).
(b) A
Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer a Subordinated Unit or a
Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section
5.7
(other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the
transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained
Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units would be negative
after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(ii)(B).
(c) The
Unitholder holding a Common Unit that has resulted from the conversion of a
Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 shall not be issued a Common Unit
Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1, and shall not be permitted to transfer
such Common Units to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until
such
time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each
such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic
and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the
intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common
Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(c), the
General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic
uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Common
Units, including the application of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(b);
provided,
however,
that no
such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the
Unitholders holding Common Units represented by Common Unit
Certificates.
(d) Except
with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote
or
approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the
right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and
distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holders of Class B Units
shall have all the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units;
provided,
however,
that
immediately upon the conversion of Class B Units into Common Units pursuant
to
Section 5.11, the Unitholders holding a Class B Unit shall possess all the
rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder, including
the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in
allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with
respect to Common Units; provided,
however,
that
such converted Class B Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections
6.1(d)(x)(B) and 6.7(e).
61
(e) The
holder or holders of Common Units resulting from the conversion pursuant to
Section 5.11(f) of any Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11
shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1, and
shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Units until such time as the
General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common
Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal
income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic
and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection
with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(d), the General Partner may
take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common
Units, including the application of Section 6.1(d)(x)(B); provided,
however,
that no
such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the
Unitholders holding Common Units represented by Common Unit
Certificates.
Section
6.8 Special
Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution
Rights.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the
Incentive Distribution Rights (a) shall (i) possess the rights and obligations
provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Article
III and Article VII and (ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to
Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (b) shall not (i)
be
entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders
of
Outstanding Units, except as provided by law, (ii) be entitled to any
distributions other than as provided in Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii),
Section 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v), and Section 12.4 or (iii) be allocated items
of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article
VI.
Section
6.9 Entity-Level
Taxation.
If
legislation is enacted or the interpretation of existing language is modified
by
a governmental taxing authority so that a Group Member is treated as an
association taxable as a corporation or is otherwise subject to an entity-level
tax for federal, state or local income tax purposes, then the General Partner
shall estimate for each Quarter the Partnership Group’s aggregate liability (the
“Estimated
Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount”)
for
all such income taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation
or
interpretation; provided
that any
difference between such estimate and the actual tax liability for such Quarter
that is owed by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation shall
be
taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount
with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined.
For
each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target
Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall
be
the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out
herein prior to the application of this Section 6.9 times (b) the quotient
obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii)
the
sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental
Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner.
For
purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be
deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that
Quarter.
62
ARTICLE
VII
MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
Section
7.1 Management.
(a) The
General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the
Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all
management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be
exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have
any
management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition
to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited
partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner
under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to
Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such
terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business
of
the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to
effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the
following:
(i) the
making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption
or
guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities,
the
issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is
convertible into Partnership Securities, and the incurring of any other
obligations;
(ii) the
making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other
reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business
or assets of the Partnership;
(iii) the
acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or
exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other
combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters
described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval
that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);
(iv) the
use
of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose
consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the
conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a),
the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the
repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of
capital contributions to any Group Member;
63
(v) the
negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other
instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership
under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership,
with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General
Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same
results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership
than would otherwise be the case);
(vi) the
distribution of Partnership cash;
(vii) the
selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such
as
“president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside
attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of
their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(viii) the
maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners
and Indemnitees;
(ix) the
formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property
and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint
ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other relationships
(including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property
to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth
in
Section 2.4;
(x) the
control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership,
including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and
otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and
the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and
litigation;
(xi) the
indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the
extent permitted by law;
(xii) the
entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and
the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or
requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any
prior
approval that may be required under Section 4.8);
(xiii) the
purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities,
or
the issuance of options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating
to
Partnership Securities;
(xiv) the
undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in
any Group Member; and
(xv) the
entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to
a
Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner
of
the Partnership.
64
(b) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware
Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and the
Assignees and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership
Securities hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery
and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member
Agreement of each other Group Member, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus
Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, any Group Member Agreement and the other
agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement
that
are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement;
(ii)
agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the
Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements
referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts,
transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration
Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or
vote
of the Partners or the Assignees or the other Persons who may acquire an
interest in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution,
delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any
Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or
permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner
or
any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article
XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the
General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other
Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated
or
implied by law or equity.
Section
7.2 Certificate
of Limited Partnership.
The
General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware
Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed
such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to
be
necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and
operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited
partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state
in
which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent
the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate,
the
General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate
of
Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited
partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners
have
limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other
state
in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject
to
the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before
or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited
Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited
Partner.
Section
7.3 Restrictions
on the General Partner’s Authority.
Except
as
provided in Article XII and Article XIV, the General Partner may not sell,
exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of
the
Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of
related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation, other
combination or sale of ownership interests of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries)
without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided,
however,
that
this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to
mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or
substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply
to
any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant
to
the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without
the
approval of holders of a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf
of the Partnership, except as permitted under Section 4.6, 11.1 and Section
11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner of
the
Partnership.
65
Section
7.4 Reimbursement
of the General Partner.
(a) Except
as
provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General
Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or
managing member of any Group Member.
(b) The
General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis
as
the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses
it
incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including
salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person,
including Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the
Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties
to
the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership
Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating
the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General
Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses
that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this
Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner
as
a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.
(c) The
General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have
no
right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the
Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices
(including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership
Securities or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation rights
relating to Partnership Securities), or cause the Partnership to issue
Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit
plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the
General Partner, Group Member or any Affiliates in each case for the benefit
of
employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in respect of
services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership
Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any
of
its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such
Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees pursuant to any such
employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses
incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs
and
practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates
of
Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates
from
the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and
practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all
obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee
programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted
by
this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner
hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved
pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor
to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest (represented by General
Partner Units) pursuant to Section 4.6.
66
Section
7.5 Outside
Activities.
(a) After
the
Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner
of
the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general
partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any
other
partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly
or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are
ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the
Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur
any
debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its
performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group
Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or
(B)
the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group
Member.
(b) Each
Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage
in
businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and
to
engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every
type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be
engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business
interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities
of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this
Agreement or any duty expressed or implied by law to any Group Member or any
Partner or Assignee. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other
Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member
Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business
ventures of any Indemnitee.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive
activities by any Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership
and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary
duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of any Indemnitee for the
Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business
interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership
and (iii) the Indemnitees shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result
of
any duty expressed or implied by law to present business opportunities to the
Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the
doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply
to
any Indemnitee (including the General Partner). No Indemnitee (including the
General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement,
arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership,
shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Partnership,
and such Indemnitee (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to
the
Partnership, to any Limited Partner or any other Person for breach of any
fiduciary or other duty by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee (including
the General Partner) pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity
to
another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the
Partnership.
(d) The
General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other
Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and,
except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise,
at their option, all rights relating to all Units or other Partnership
Securities acquired by them. The term “Affiliates” when used in this Section
7.5(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group
Member.
67
(e) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any provision
of
this Agreement purports or is interpreted to have the effect of restricting
the
fiduciary duties that might otherwise, as a result of Delaware or other
applicable law, be owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and its
Limited Partners, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the Limited Partners
to any such restriction, such provisions shall be inapplicable and have no
effect in determining whether the General Partner has complied with its
fiduciary duties in connection with determinations made by it under this Section
7.5.
Section
7.6 Loans
from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group
Members.
(a) The
General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and
any
Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates,
funds
needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such
amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided,
however,
that in
any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest
at a
rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose
terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed
on
the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an
arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities
or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party
shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional
interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing
of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the
term
“Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled
by the Group Member.
(b) The
Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member
may
borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the
General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any
of
its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).
(c) No
borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner
shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty, expressed or implied, of
the
General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners
by
reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly
or
indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates
(including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General
Partner’s Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all partners or
(ii) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period or the conversion of
any
Subordinated Units into Common Units.
Section
7.7 Indemnification.
(a) To
the
fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly
provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and
expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts
arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may
be
involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason
of
its status as an Indemnitee; provided,
that
the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been
a
final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction
determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking
indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee acted in bad
faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal
matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful;
provided,
further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available
to
the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than a Group Member) with respect
to its or their obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement,
the
Omnibus Agreement or the Contribution Agreement (other than obligations incurred
by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership). Any indemnification
pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the
Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally
liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute
or
loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such
indemnification.
68
(b) To
the
fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses)
incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in
defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to
time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a determination that the
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership
of
any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it
shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as
authorized in this Section 7.7.
(c) The
indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other
rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant
to
any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter
of
law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an
Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity
under
the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has
ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The
Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or
its
Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its
Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine,
against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be
incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such
Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the
Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability
under the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For
purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested
an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the
performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on,
or
otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries
of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee
benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the
meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to
any
employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably
believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests
of
the Partnership.
69
(f) In
no
event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability
by
reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this
Agreement.
(g) An
Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this
Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with
respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise
permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The
provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their
heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create
any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
(i) No
amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof
shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present
or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations
of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance
with
the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such
amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or
relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment,
modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be
asserted.
Section
7.8 Liability
of Indemnitees.
(a) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be
liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, or any
other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for
losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission
of
an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered
by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter
in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful
misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that
the
Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal.
(b) Subject
to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a),
the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this
Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either
directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent
appointed by the General Partner in good faith.
(c) To
the
extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary
duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners,
the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the
Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to
any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this
Agreement.
(d) Any
amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof
shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on
the
liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately
prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising
from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such
amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise
or
be asserted.
70
Section
7.9 Resolution
of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of
Duties.
(a) Unless
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement,
whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General
Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any
Group Member or any Partner, on the other, any resolution or course of action
by
the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest
shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute
a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement
contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or
equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of
interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii)
approved by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units
owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on
terms
no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to
or
available from unrelated third parties or (iv) fair and reasonable to the
Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between
the
parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly
favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General
Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution
of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution,
and
the
General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not
received Special Approval. If
Special Approval is not sought and the Board of Directors determines that the
resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest
satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above,
then
it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors acted
in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or
on
behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership
challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding
shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at
law
or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the
Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not
constitute a breach of this Agreement.
(b) Whenever
the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any
other
action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the
general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual
capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other
agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then,
unless
another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner,
or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall make such determination or take
or
decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to
any
other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member
Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act
or
any other
law,
rule or regulation or at equity. In order for a determination or other action
to
be in “good faith” for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making
such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must believe
that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the
Partnership.
71
(c) Whenever
the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any
other
action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity
as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether
under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement
contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates
causing it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or
decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation
whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, and the General Partner,
or
such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith
or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member
Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act
or
any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. By
way of
illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, “at the option of the
General Partner,” or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement,
it indicates that the General Partner is acting
in
its individual capacity.
For the
avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its
Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership
Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity. The General Partner’s
organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline
to
take any action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may
or
shall be determined by its members, if the General Partner is a limited
liability company, stockholders, if the General Partner is a corporation, or
the
members or stockholders of the General Partner’s general partner, if the General
Partner is a partnership.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its
Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell
or
otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the
ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any
facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may
be
provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with
such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates
to
enter into such contracts shall be at its option.
(e) Except
as
expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any
other
Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties,
to
the Partnership or any Limited Partner and the provisions of this Agreement,
to
the extent that they restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and
liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other
Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners
to
replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other
Indemnitee.
(f) The
Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership
as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general
partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions
permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section
7.9.
Section
7.10 Other
Matters Concerning the General Partner.
(a) The
General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from
acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties.
72
(b) The
General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers,
management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers
selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the
opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that
the
General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or
expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted
in
good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(c) The
General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or
obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers,
a
duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers
of
the Partnership.
Section
7.11 Purchase
or Sale of Partnership Securities.
The
General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire
Partnership Securities; provided
that,
except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10, the General Partner may not cause
any Group Member to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period.
Such Partnership Securities shall be held by the Partnership as treasury
securities unless they are expressly cancelled by action of an appropriate
officer of the General Partner. As long as Partnership Securities are held
by
any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be considered
Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General
Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise
acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Securities for its own
account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.
Section
7.12 Registration
Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) If
(i)
the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for
purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General
Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an
Affiliate of the General Partner) holds Partnership Securities that it desires
to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or
regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available
to enable such holder of Partnership Securities (the “Holder”)
to
dispose of the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time
it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at
the
option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with
the
Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use
all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain
effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective
date
or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities
covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement
under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of
Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided,
however,
that
the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations
pursuant to Section 7.12(a) and Section 7.12(b); and provided
further, however,
that if
the Conflicts Committee determines in good faith that the requested registration
would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners because
such
registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition,
reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y)
require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has
a
bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the
Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities
laws,
then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone such requested
registration for a period of not more than six months after receipt of the
Holder’s request, such right pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) or Section 7.12(b)
not to be utilized more than once in any twelve-month period. Except as provided
in the preceding sentence, the Partnership shall be deemed not to have used
all
commercially reasonable efforts to keep the registration statement effective
during the applicable period if it voluntarily takes any action that would
result in Holders of Partnership Securities covered thereby not being able
to
offer and sell such Partnership Securities at any time during such period,
unless such action is required by applicable law. In connection with any
registration pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 7.12(a), the
Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be
necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration
under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request;
provided,
however,
that no
such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result
thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process
or
to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or
partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such
registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing
or
to list the Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National
Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any
and
all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the
Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such
states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any
such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and
commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the
Holder.
73
(b) If
any
Holder holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and Rule 144 of
the
Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another
exemption from registration is not available to enable such Holder to dispose
of
the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires
to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option
and
upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission
as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all reasonable
efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not
less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as
shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such shelf
registration statement have been sold, a “shelf” registration statement covering
the Partnership Securities specified by the Holder on an appropriate form under
Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted
by
the Commission; provided,
however,
that
the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations
pursuant to Section 7.12(a) and this Section 7.12(b); and provided
further, however,
that if
the Conflicts Committee determines in good faith that any offering under, or
the
use of any prospectus forming a part of, the shelf registration statement would
be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners because such
offering or use would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition,
reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y)
require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has
a
bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the
Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities
laws,
then the Partnership shall have the right to suspend such offering or use for
a
period of not more than six months after receipt of the Holder’s request, such
right pursuant to Section 7.12(a) or this Section 7.12(b) not to be utilized
more than once in any twelve-month period. Except as provided in the preceding
sentence, the Partnership shall be deemed not to have used all reasonable
efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective during the applicable
period if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of
Partnership Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such
Partnership Securities at any time during such period, unless such action is
required by applicable law. In connection with any shelf registration pursuant
to this Section 7.12(b), the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file
(A)
such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject
to such shelf registration under the securities laws of such states as the
Holder shall reasonably request; provided,
however,
that no
such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result
thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process
or
to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or
partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such
shelf
registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing
or
to list the Partnership Securities subject to such shelf registration on such
National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii)
do
any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable
the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such
states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any
such shelf registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts
and
commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the
Holder.
74
(c) If
the
Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under
the
Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for
cash
(other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the
Partnership shall use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount
of
securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder
shall
request; provided,
that
the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so
include the securities of the Holder once the registration statement is declared
effective by the Commission or otherwise becomes effective, including any
registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of
securities pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering
pursuant to this Section 7.12(c) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in
the
event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering
advise the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in their opinion the
inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s Partnership Securities would adversely
and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include
in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by
the
Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing
underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except
as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such registration
and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall
be
paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(d) If
underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in
this
Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations,
covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition
to
and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the
Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold
harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the
Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof
(collectively, “Indemnified Persons”) from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees
and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other
amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any
Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party
or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to
in
this Section 7.12(d) as a “claim” and in the plural as “claims”) based upon,
arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under
which any Partnership Securities were registered under the Securities Act or
any
state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior
to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or
final prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during
the
period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current),
or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to
make the statements made therein not misleading; provided,
however,
that
the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent
that
any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such
registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or such
amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified
Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
75
(e) The
provisions of Section 7.12(a), Section 7.12(b) and Section 7.12(c) shall
continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the
General Partner’s Affiliates) after it ceases to be a general partner of the
Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date
of
such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to
sell
all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which it has requested during
such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed
or
that a registration statement be filed; provided,
however,
that
the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements
covering the same Partnership Securities for which registration was demanded
during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(d) shall continue
in
effect thereafter.
(f) The
rights to cause the Partnership to register Partnership Securities pursuant
to
this Section 7.12 may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by
a
Holder to a transferee or assignee of such Partnership Securities, provided
(i)
the Partnership is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished
with
written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the
Partnership Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
assigned; and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound
by
and subject to the terms set forth in this Section 7.12.
(g) Any
request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall
(i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the
Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer
such Partnership Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or
method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv)
contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and
materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the
Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the
registration of such Partnership Securities.
76
Section
7.13 Reliance
by Third Parties.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the
Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer
of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of
and
in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell
or
otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter
into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person
shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if
it
were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially.
Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that
may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action
of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing.
In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such
officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of
this
Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience
of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its
representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument
executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its
representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person
relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution
and
delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full
force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate,
document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on
behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument
was
duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of
this
Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
ARTICLE
VIII
BOOKS,
RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section
8.1 Records
and Accounting.
The
General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the
Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s
business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited
Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a).
Any
books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular
course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units
or
other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership
proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives,
punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information
storage device; provided,
that
the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written
form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall
be
maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance
with U.S. GAAP.
Section
8.2 Fiscal
Year.
The
fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December
31.
77
Section
8.3 Reports.
(a) As
soon
as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each
fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed
or
made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible
through the Partnership’s website) to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date
selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial
statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented
in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of
operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited
by
a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General
Partner.
(b) As
soon
as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each
Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall
cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting
on or accessible through the Partnership’s website) to each Record Holder of a
Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing
unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information
as
may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities
Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General
Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
ARTICLE
IX
TAX
MATTERS
Section
9.1 Tax
Returns and Information.
The
Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required
for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual
method and the taxable year or years that it is required by law to adopt, from
time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership
is required to use a taxable year other than a year ending on December 31,
the
General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable year of
the
Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably
required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes
with respect to a taxable year shall be furnished to them within 90 days of
the
close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable year ends. The
classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and
deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for
federal income tax purposes.
Section
9.2 Tax
Elections.
(a) The
Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance
with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right
to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination
that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of
computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner
shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price
paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the
lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National
Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or
admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed
to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid
by
such transferee.
78
(b) Except
as
otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the
Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.
Section
9.3 Tax
Controversies.
Subject
to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters
Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent
the
Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations
of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting
administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for
professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to
cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all
things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such
proceedings.
Section
9.4 Withholding.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to
take
any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members
to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any
other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442,
1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or
elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting
from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner or Assignee
(including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may
treat
the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the
amount of such withholding from such Partner.
ARTICLE
X
ADMISSION
OF PARTNERS
Section
10.1 Admission
of Limited Partners.
(a) By
acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with
Article IV or the acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant
to
Article V or pursuant to a merger or consolidation pursuant to Article XIV,
and
except as provided in Section 4.9, each transferee of, or other such Person
acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent
or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account
of
another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner
with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such
Person when any such transfer, issuance or admission is reflected in the books
and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record
Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound
by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee has the
capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (iv) grants the
powers of attorney set forth in this Agreement and (v) makes the consents and
waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this
Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and
the
admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this
Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner or Record Holder of a Limited
Partner Interest without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A
Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner
Interest and until such Person is reflected in the books and records of the
Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights
and obligations of a Person who is a Non-citizen Assignee shall be determined
in
accordance with Section 4.9 hereof.
79
(b) The
name
and mailing address of each Limited Partner shall be listed on the books and
records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or
the
Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the books and records of the
Partnership from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information
therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited
Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section
4.1
hereof.
(c) Any
transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to
share
in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations
of
income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other
rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a
Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.2(a).
Section
10.2 Admission
of Successor General Partner.
A
successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2
or
the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest
(represented by General Partner Units) pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed
to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the
Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the
withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner,
pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest
(represented by General Partner Units) pursuant to Section 4.6, provided,
however,
that no
such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the
terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered
such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission.
Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business
of
the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.
Section
10.3 Amendment
of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.
To
effect
the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall
take
all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records
of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare
as
soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law,
the
General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of
Limited Partnership, and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others,
exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.
80
ARTICLE
XI
WITHDRAWAL
OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
Section
11.1 Withdrawal
of the General Partner.
(a) The
General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon
the
occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred
to as an “Event of Withdrawal”);
(i) The
General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written
notice to the other Partners;
(ii) The
General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to
Section 4.6;
(iii) The
General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
(iv) The
General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(B)
files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a
liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under
any
law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest
the
material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a
proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv);
or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but
not
a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of
all
or any substantial part of its properties;
(v) A
final
and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant
to
a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner;
or
(vi) (A)
in
the event the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution
or
its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the
date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without
a
reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation;
(B)
in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability
company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner;
(C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of
being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event
the
General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency;
and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General
Partner.
If
an
Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B),
(C)
or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited
Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that
only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in
the
withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.
81
(b) Withdrawal
of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event
of
Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following
circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date
and ending at 12:00 midnight, Mountain Standard Time, on December 31, 2015,
the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance
notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided,
that
prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved
by
Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units
(excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and
the
General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“Withdrawal
Opinion of Counsel”)
that
such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner)
would
not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any
Group Member or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable
as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax
purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time
after
12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on December 31, 2015, the General
Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the
Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such
notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General
Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the
General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice
of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take
effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given
one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its
Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the
Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership
upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the
withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if
any,
to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner
gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of
a
Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a
successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner
shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member,
to
the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner
is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date
of
the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Unitholders
as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion
of
Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1.
Any
successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section
11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
Section
11.2 Removal
of the General Partner.
The
General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders
holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by
the
General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action
by
such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the
election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority
of
the outstanding Common Units and Class B Units, if any, voting as a single
class
and a majority of the outstanding Subordinated Units (if any Subordinated Units
are then Outstanding) voting as a class (including, in each case, Units held
by
the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective
immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant
to
Section 10.3. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically
constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing
member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the
General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is
elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this
Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.3,
automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the
extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner
is a
general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding
Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless
the
Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a
Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in
accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 10.3.
82
Section
11.3 Interest
of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner.
(a) In
the
event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such
withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General
Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause
does
not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the
terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, the Departing General Partner shall
have
the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such
Departing General Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General
Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) and its general partner
interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all
of
its Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the “Combined Interest”) in
exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined
Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date
of
its departure. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under
circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under
circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor
General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or
Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to
Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General
Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the
effective date of the departure of such Departing General Partner (or, in the
event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the
business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest
for
such fair market value of such Combined Interest of the Departing General
Partner. In either event, the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to
receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to
Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance
liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees
employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any
Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group
Members.
For
purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Departing General
Partner’s Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the
Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30
days
after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s departure, by an
independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by
the
Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other
experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter.
If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or
other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such
departure, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent
investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General
Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or
other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a
third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third
independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine
the fair market value of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner.
In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm
or
other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units
on
any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted
to
trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of
the Departing General Partner and other factors it may deem
relevant.
83
(b) If
the
Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in
Section 11.3(a), the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall
become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into
Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or
other
independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction
in
such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason
of
the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify
the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and
liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the
Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For
purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing
General Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing
General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the
Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
(c) If
a
successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of
Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is
continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not
the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is
not
exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall,
at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the
Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of the Percentage Interest
of the Departing General Partner and the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s
assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall,
subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of
all
Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner
was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this
Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such
successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest
in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage
Interest.
Section
11.4 Termination
of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment
of
Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
Notwithstanding
any provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed as general
partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist and
Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor
of
such removal, (i) the Subordination Period will end and all Outstanding
Subordinated Units will immediately and automatically convert into Common Units
on a one-for-one basis, (ii) all Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages on the Common
Units will be extinguished and (iii) the General Partner will have the right
to
convert its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units)
and
its Incentive Distribution Rights into Common Units or to receive cash in
exchange therefor in accordance with Section 11.3.
84
Section
11.5 Withdrawal
of Limited Partners.
No
Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership;
provided,
however,
that
when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a
Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring
Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited
Partner Interest so transferred.
ARTICLE
XII
DISSOLUTION
AND LIQUIDATION
Section
12.1 Dissolution.
The
Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited
Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General
Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1
or
Section 11.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General
Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall
dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up,
upon:
(a) an
Event
of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other
than
Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and an Opinion of Counsel
is
received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted
to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.3;
(b) an
election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved
by
the holders of a Unit Majority;
(c) the
entry
of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the
provisions of the Delaware Act; or
(d) at
any
time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without
dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.
Section
12.2 Continuation
of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.
Upon
(a)
dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the
withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i)
or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing
General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, then within 90
days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event
constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v)
or
(vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter,
the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the
Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by
appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders
of a
Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period
as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary
to
wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:
85
(i) the
Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in
accordance with this Article XII;
(ii) if
the
successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest
of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in
Section 11.3; and
(iii) the
successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General
Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to
be
bound by this Agreement; provided,
that
the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General
Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and
may
not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel
that
(x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability
of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member
would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be
taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such
right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
Section
12.3 Liquidator.
Upon
dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is
continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or
more
Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner)
shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be
approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units
and
Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than
the
General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior
notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of
removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common
Units, Class B Units (if any), and Subordinated Units voting as a single class.
Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and
substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and
duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved
by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, Class B
Units
(if any), and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The right to approve
a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be
deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved
in
the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII,
the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may
exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto,
all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this
Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and
otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale
set forth in Section 7.3) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties
and
functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required
to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for
herein.
86
Section
12.4 Liquidation.
The
Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge
its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over
such
period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the
Delaware Act and the following:
(a) The
assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind
to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or
Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner
receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have
received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith,
appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The
Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for
a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of
all
or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue
loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in
whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical
or
would cause undue loss to the Partners.
(b) Liabilities
of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for
serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts
to
Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article
VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured
or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle
such
claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash
or
other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the
reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.
(c) All
property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as
provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance
with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital
Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account
adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this
Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the
liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being
determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and
such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable year (or, if later,
within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).
Section
12.5 Cancellation
of Certificate of Limited Partnership.
Upon
the
completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided
in
Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the
Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership
as
a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware
shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the
Partnership shall be taken.
Section
12.6 Return
of Contributions.
The
General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation
to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it
to
effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners
or
Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any
such
return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.
87
Section
12.7 Waiver
of Partition.
To
the
maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to
partition of the Partnership property.
Section
12.8 Capital
Account Restoration.
No
Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in
its
Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall
be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon
liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year
of
the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within
90
days after the date of such liquidation.
ARTICLE
XIII
AMENDMENT
OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
Section
13.1 Amendments
to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.
Each
Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner,
may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge,
deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection
therewith, to reflect:
(a) a
change
in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business
of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered
office of the Partnership;
(b) admission,
substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this
Agreement;
(c) a
change
that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify
or
continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a
partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the
laws
of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as
associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal
income tax purposes;
(d) a
change
that the General Partner determines, (i) does not adversely affect the Limited
Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared
to
other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be
necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or
guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation
of
any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal
or
state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of
the
Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units
into
different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such
classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement
of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed
or
admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with
action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required
to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent
of
the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this
Agreement;
88
(e) a
change
in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes
that
the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of
a
change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if
the
General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and
the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;
(f) an
amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the
Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or
agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are
substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed
by
the United States Department of Labor;
(g) an
amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate
in
connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of
Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6, including any amendment that
the
General Partner determines is necessary or appropriate in connection with (i)
the adjustments of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target
Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution pursuant
to the provisions of Section 5.11, (ii) the implementation of the provisions
of
Section 5.11 or (iii) any modifications to the Incentive Distribution
Rights made in connection with the issuance of Partnership Securities pursuant
to Section 5.6, provided
that,
with respect to this clause (iii), the modifications to the Incentive
Distribution Rights and the related issuance of Partnership Securities have
received Special Approval;
(h) any
amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General
Partner acting alone;
(i) an
amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved
in accordance with Section 14.3;
(j) an
amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate
to
reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment
by
the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited
liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the
Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of
Section 2.4;
(k) a
merger,
conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or
(l) any
other
amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
Section
13.2 Amendment
Procedures.
Except
as
provided in Section 13.1 and Section 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement
shall be made in accordance with the following requirements. Amendments to
this
Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner; provided,
however,
that
the
General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment to
this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation
whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to
propose an amendment, to the fullest extent permitted by law shall not be
required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by
this
Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby
or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at
equity.
A
proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner
and the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage
is
required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that
requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding
Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed
amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek
the
written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a
meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment.
The
General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any
such
proposed amendments.
89
Section
13.3 Amendment
Requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this
Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units
deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be
amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would
have
the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such amendment is approved
by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units
whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting
requirement sought to be reduced.
(b) Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this
Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its
consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an
amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), or (ii) enlarge the
obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in
any
way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General
Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be
given
or withheld at its option.
(c) Except
as
provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partner’s
authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any
Partners or Assignees as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that
would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class
of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests
must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding
Partnership Interests of the class affected.
(d) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section
13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall
become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the
Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited
liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state
under whose laws the Partnership is organized.
90
(e) Except
as
provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the
approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.
Section
13.4 Special
Meetings.
All
acts
of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in
the
manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners
may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more
of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is
proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the
General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited
Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific
purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after
receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as
may
be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules,
regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding
of
a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General
Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either
directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held
at a
time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10
days
nor more than 60 days after the mailing of notice of the meeting. Limited
Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to
be
deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and
affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited
liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the
Partnership is qualified to do business.
Section
13.5 Notice
of a Meeting.
Notice
of
a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders
of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing
by
mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1.
The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in
the
mail or sent by other means of written communication.
Section
13.6 Record
Date.
For
purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote
at
a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as
provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which
shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the
meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline
or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed
or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or
requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern) or (b) in the
event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited
Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.
If
the
General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for
determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next preceding
the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the
Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the
date
the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the
General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.
91
Section
13.7 Adjournment.
When
a
meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of
the
adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and
place
thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless
such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting,
the
Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the
original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record
Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting
shall
be given in accordance with this Article XIII.
Section
13.8 Waiver
of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes.
The
transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed,
and
whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held
after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by
proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver
of
notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting
for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right
to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice
of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at
the
meeting.
Section
13.9 Quorum
and Voting.
The
holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for
which
a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the
General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum
at
a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action
by
the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of
such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any
meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this
Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding
Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding
Units entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting
shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater
or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the
provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners
holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such greater
or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at
a
duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than
adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units
specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the
General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners
may
be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least
a
majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting (including
Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in
person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided
in Section 13.7.
92
Section
13.10 Conduct
of a Meeting.
The
General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of
conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals
in
writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence
of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct
of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of
any
controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the
meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as
chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes
of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership
maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other
regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem
advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or
solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the
appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and
approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of
the
right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.
Section
13.11 Action
Without a Meeting.
If
authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting
of
the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing
setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not
less
than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units (including Units deemed
owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take
such
action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted
(unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or
requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed
or
admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or
requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice
of
the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners
who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any
written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any
action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time
period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner.
If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held
by
the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive
a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any
action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or
on
behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and
effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care
of
the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are
dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals
are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered
to
the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action
proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause
the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and
control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize
the
Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the
state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the
Partnership and the Partners.
93
Section
13.12 Right
to Vote and Related Matters.
(a) Only
those Record Holders of the Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section
13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of
“Outstanding”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of
Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders
of
the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this
Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding
Units
shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders
of
such Outstanding Units.
(b) With
respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as
a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent
of
any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other
Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any
matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise,
vote
such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the
beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so
acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as
well
as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of
Section 4.3.
ARTICLE
XIV
MERGER,
CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
Section
14.1 Authority.
The
Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations,
limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate
investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including
a
partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability
partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed
under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States
of America, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation (“Merger
Agreement”)
or a
written plan of conversion (“Plan
of Conversion”),
as
the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.
Section
14.2 Procedure
for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
(a) Merger,
consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV
requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided,
however,
that,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty
or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the
Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation
whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent
to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall not be required to act in good
faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other
agreement contemplated hereby or under the Act or any other law, rule or
regulation or at equity.
(b) If
the
General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation,
the
General partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set
forth:
94
(i) name
and
state of domicile of each of the business entities proposing to merge or
consolidate;
(ii) the
name
and state of domicile of the business entity that is to survive the proposed
merger or consolidation (the “Surviving
Business Entity”);
(iii) the
terms
and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(iv) the
manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each
constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights,
securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any
general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent
business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash,
property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or
obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests,
rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership,
corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other
entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such
general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in
exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights,
and
(ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender
of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner
interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity
or
any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability
company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving
Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
(v) a
statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new
constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles
of
trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership,
operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the
Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or
consolidation;
(vi) the
effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the
certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in
or
determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided,
that if
the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing
of
such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or
time
certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger
and
stated therein); and
(vii) such
other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that
the
General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
(c) If
the
General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General
Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set
forth:
(i) the
name
of the converting entity and the converted entity;
(ii) a
statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational
form of the converted entity;
95
(iii) a
statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the
state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be
incorporated, formed or organized;
(iv) the
manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each
constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights,
securities or obligations of the converted entity;
(v) in
an
attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership of the
Partnership; and
(vi) in
an
attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of
incorporation, or other organizational documents of the converted
entity;
(vii) the
effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the
articles of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in
accordance with the Plan of Conversion (provided,
that if
the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing
of such articles of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date
or
time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such articles of
conversion and stated therein); and
(viii) such
other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General
Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section
14.3 Approval
by Limited Partners.
(a) Except
as
provided in Sections 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the
Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct
that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted
to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written
consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII.
A
copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the
case
may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting
or
the written consent.
(b) Except
as
provided in Section 14.3(d), the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as
the
case may be, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent
of
the holders of a Unit Majority.
(c) Except
as
provided in Section 14.3(d), after such approval by vote or consent of the
Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of
merger or articles of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger,
consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor,
if
any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may
be.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General
Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the
Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge
the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s
assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and
shall
have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger
or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group
Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the
conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the
loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership
to
be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed
as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously
treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger, or
conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership
into
another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the
new
entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights
and obligations as are herein contained.
96
(e) Additionally,
notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this
Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval,
to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (A)
the
General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or
consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited
liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as
an
association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity
for
federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such),
(B)
the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to the Partnership
Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section
13.1, (C) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or
consolidation, (D) each Unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective
date
of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership
after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (E) the number
of
Partnership Securities to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or
consolidation do not exceed 20% of the Partnership Securities Outstanding
immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or
consolidation.
(f) Pursuant
to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or
consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (a) effect any
amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership
agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such
amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.5 shall be effective
at
the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.
Section
14.4 Certificate
of Merger.
Upon
the
required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger
Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger
or articles of conversion, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with
the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements
of the Delaware Act.
Section
14.5 Effect
of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
(a) At
the
effective time of the certificate of merger:
(i) all
of
the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has
merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all
debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes
of
action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the
Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the
property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each
constituent business entity;
97
(ii) the
title
to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent
business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of
the
merger or consolidation;
(iii) all
rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any
of
those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired;
and
(iv) all
debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall
attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the
same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or
contracted by it.
(b) At
the
effective time of the articles of conversion:
(i) the
Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the
organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior
organizational form;
(ii) all
rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by
the
Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new
organizational form without reversion or impairment, without further act or
deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to
any
existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;
(iii) all
liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities
and obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without
impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;
(iv) all
rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior
interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as
such
in existence as of the effective time of the conversion will continue in
existence as to those liabilities and obligations and may be pursued by such
creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;
(v) a
proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of
Partners in their capacities as such may be continued by or against the
converted entity in its new organizational form and by or against the prior
partners without any need for substitution of parties; and
(vi) the
Partnership Units that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares,
evidences of ownership, or other securities in the converted entity as provided
in the plan of conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled
only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion.
98
ARTICLE
XV
RIGHT
TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
Section
15.1 Right
to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.
(a) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and
its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of
any
class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which
right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or
any
Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all,
but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then
Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates,
at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior
to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y)
the
highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any
such
Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period
preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.
As
used in this Agreement, (i) “Current Market Price” as of any date of any class
of Limited Partner Interests means the average of the daily Closing Prices
(as
hereinafter defined) per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20
consecutive Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such
date; (ii) “Closing Price” for any day means the last sale price on such day,
regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of
the
closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities
listed on the principal National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq
Stock Market) on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted
to
trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not listed
or
admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq
Stock Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the
average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter
market, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other system then in
use,
or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not
quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices
on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in
such
Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or
if
on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner
Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on
such day as determined by the General Partner; and (iii) “Trading Day” means a
day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited
Partner Interests of any class are listed or admitted for trading is open for
the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are
not
listed or admitted for trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on
which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.
(b) If
the
General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects
to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant
to
Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice
of such election to purchase (the “Notice
of Election to Purchase”)
and
shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to
Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as
of
a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than
60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall
also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least
two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language
and
published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to
Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance
with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased
and
state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case
may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of
Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in exchange for
payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent
may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which
such Limited Partner Interests are listed. Any such Notice of Election to
Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address
as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed
to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On
or
prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the
Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash
in
an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited
Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If
the
Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least
10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date
the
deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of
the
holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein,
then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate
shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of
such
Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Article IV, Article
V, Article VI, and Article XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to
receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a))
for
Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the
Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests,
and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred
to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be,
on
the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General
Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the
case
may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests
from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of
such
Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner
Interests pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article
XII).
99
(c) At
any
time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited
Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may
surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the
Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section
15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.
ARTICLE
XVI
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Section
16.1 Addresses
and Notices.
Any
notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to
be
given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be
deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United
States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the
address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made
to a
Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made,
and
the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall
be
deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice,
payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his
address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown
on
the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may
have an interest in such Partnership Securities by reason of any assignment
or
otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or
report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the
General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima
facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If
any
notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such
Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer Agent or the
Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate
that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice,
payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be
deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such
time
as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the
Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner
at
the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date
of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners.
Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General
Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to
Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying
on
any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by
it to
be genuine.
100
Section
16.2 Further
Action.
The
parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and
take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve
the purposes of this Agreement.
Section
16.3 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives
and permitted assigns.
Section
16.4 Integration.
This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining
to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings pertaining thereto.
Section
16.5 Creditors.
None
of
the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be
enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
Section
16.6 Waiver.
No
failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant,
duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or
remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such
breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
101
Section
16.7 Third-Party
Beneficiaries.
Each
Partner agrees that any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and
remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those
provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such
Indemnitee.
Section
16.8 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall
constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding
that
all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.
Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its
signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner
Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) without execution hereto.
Section
16.9 Applicable
Law.
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of
the
State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of
law.
Section
16.10 Invalidity
of Provisions.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
Section
16.11 Consent
of Partners.
Each
Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement
it
is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent
of
less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence
of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results
of such action.
Section
16.12 Facsimile
Signatures.
The
use
of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent
and registrar of the Partnership on certificates representing Common Units
is
expressly permitted by this Agreement.
[REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
102
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.
GENERAL
PARTNER:
DCP
MIDSTREAM GP, LP
|
||
|
|
|
By: | DCP MIDSTREAM GP, LLC | |
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice
President
|
Signature
Page - Second Amended and Restated Agreement
of
Limited Partnership of DCP Midstream Partners, LP
LIMITED
PARTNERS:
All
Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of
the
Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed
in
favor of, and granted and delivered to the General Partner or without
execution hereof pursuant to Section 10.2(a) hereof.
DCP
LP HOLDINGS, LP
|
||
|
|
|
By: | DUKE ENERGY FIELD SERVICES, LLC | |
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title: Group
Vice President
|
Signature
Page - Second Amended and Restated Agreement
of
Limited Partnership of DCP Midstream Partners, LP
EXHIBIT
A
to
the First Amended and Restated
Agreement
of Limited Partnership of
DCP
Midstream Partners, LP
Certificate
Evidencing Common Units
Representing
Limited Partner Interests in
DCP
Midstream Partners, LP
No.
__________
|
__________
Common Units
|
In
accordance with Section 4.1 of the First Amended and Restated Agreement of
Limited Partnership of DCP Midstream Partners, LP, as amended, supplemented
or
restated from time to time (the “Partnership
Agreement”),
DCP
Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”),
hereby certifies that ___________________ (the “Holder”)
is the
registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in
the
Partnership (the “Common
Units”)
transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized
attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights,
preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this
Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in
all
respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement.
Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished
without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the
principal office of the Partnership located at 000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall
have
the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS,
LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL
OR
STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY
WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR
QUALIFICATION OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP TO BE TREATED AS AN
ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY
FOR
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED).
DCP
MIDSTREAM GP LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, MAY IMPOSE
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT
RISK OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR
OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE
RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF
ANY
NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO
TRADING.
A-1
The
Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested
admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to
comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement,
(ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and
authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the
Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in
the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents
and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This
Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned
and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated:_______________ | DCP Midstream Partners, LP | ||
|
|
|
|
By: |
DCP
Midstream GP, LP
|
||
Countersigned and Registered by: |
By: |
DCP
Midstream GP, LLC,
its
General Partner
|
|
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
as Transfer Agent and Registrar
|
By: | ||
Name:
|
|
||
|
|||
By: | By: | ||
Authorized Signature |
Secretary |
[Reverse
of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The
following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or
regulations:
TEN
COM
- as
tenants in common
TEN
ENT - as
tenants by the entireties
|
UNIF
GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT
__________
Custodian _________
(Cust)
(Minor)
|
|
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common | under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) |
Additional
abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
A-2
ASSIGNMENT
OF COMMON UNITS OF
DCP
MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
FOR
VALUE
RECEIVED, __________ hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers
unto
(Please
print or typewrite name
and
address of assignee)
|
(Please
insert Social Security or other
identifying number of
assignee)
|
__________
Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this
Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint __________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of
substitution to transfer the same on the books of DCP Midstream Partners,
LP.
Date:
_______________
|
NOTE:
|
The
signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name
as
written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without
alteration, enlargement or change.
|
THE
SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS
WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM),
PURSUANT
TO S.E.C. RULE 17d-15
|
(Signature)
(Signature)
|
No
transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books
of
the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be
transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
A-3
EXHIBIT
B
to
the Second Amended and Restated
Agreement
of Limited Partnership of
DCP
Midstream Partners, LP
Certificate
Evidencing Class C Units
Representing
Limited Partner Interests in
DCP
Midstream Partners, LP
No.
__________
|
__________
Common Units
|
In
accordance with Section 4.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of
Limited Partnership of DCP Midstream Partners, LP, as amended, supplemented
or
restated from time to time (the “Partnership
Agreement”),
DCP
Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”),
hereby certifies that ___________________ (the “Holder”)
is the
registered owner of Class C Units representing limited partner interests in
the
Partnership (the “Class
C Units”)
transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized
attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights,
preferences and limitations of the Second Units are set forth in, and this
Certificate and the Class C Units represented hereby are issued and shall in
all
respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement.
Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished
without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the
principal office of the Partnership located at 000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall
have
the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
THE
HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS,
LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL
OR
STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY
WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR
QUALIFICATION OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP TO BE TREATED AS AN
ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY
FOR
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED).
DCP
MIDSTREAM GP LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, MAY IMPOSE
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT
RISK OF DCP MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR
OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE
RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF
ANY
NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO
TRADING.
B-1
The
Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested
admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to
comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement,
(ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and
authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the
Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in
the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents
and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This
Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned
and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated:_______________ | DCP Midstream Partners, LP | ||
|
|
|
|
By: |
DCP
Midstream GP, LP
|
||
Countersigned and Registered by: |
By: |
DCP
Midstream GP, LLC,
its
General Partner
|
|
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
as Transfer Agent and Registrar
|
By: | ||
Name:
|
|
||
|
|||
By: | By: | ||
Authorized Signature |
Secretary |
[Reverse
of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The
following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or
regulations:
TEN
COM
- as
tenants in common
TEN
ENT - as
tenants by the entireties
|
UNIF
GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT
__________
Custodian _________
(Cust)
(Minor)
|
|
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common | under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) |
Additional
abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
B-2
ASSIGNMENT
OF CLASS C UNITS OF
DCP
MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
FOR
VALUE RECEIVED, __________ hereby assigns,
conveys, sells and transfers unto
(Please
print or typewrite name
and
address of assignee)
|
(Please
insert Social Security or other
identifying number of
assignee)
|
__________
Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this
Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint __________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of
substitution to transfer the same on the books of DCP Midstream Partners,
LP.
Date:
_________________
|
NOTE:
|
The
signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name
as
written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without
alteration, enlargement or change.
|
|
(Signature)
(Signature)
|
No
transfer of the Class C Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books
of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be
transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
B-3