WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P. 7,000,000 Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 1.1
XXXXXXXX PARTNERS L.P.
7,000,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
December 6, 2006
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
As the Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule 1
c/x Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
As the Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule 1
c/x Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Xxxxxxxx Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), proposes to issue
and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”)
7,000,000 common units (the “Firm Units”) representing limited partner interests in the Partnership
(the “Common Units”). Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. shall act as
representatives (the “Representatives”) of the several Underwriters.
In addition, the Partnership proposes to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to
an additional 1,050,000 Common Units on the terms and for the purposes set forth in Section
2 (the “Option Units”). The Firm Units and the Option Units, if purchased, are hereinafter
collectively called the “Units.” Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same
meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement or the Prospectus (each as defined herein).
Xxxxxxxx Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, serves as the general partner
(the “General Partner”) of the Partnership. Xxxxxxxx Energy Services, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (“XXX”) and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of The Xxxxxxxx Companies, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (“Xxxxxxxx”), serves as the sole member of the General Partner. Each of XXX,
Xxxxxxxx Discovery Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Xxxxxxxx Pipeline”),
Xxxxxxxx Partners Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), and Xxxxxxxx
Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“WE”), are limited partners of the
Partnership. The Partnership is the sole member of Xxxxxxxx Partners Operating LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company (“OLLC”). OLLC is the sole member of each of Mid-Continent Fractionation
and Storage, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MCFS”), and Carbonate Trend Pipeline LLC,
a Delaware limited liability
company (“CTP”), and owns a 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery Producer
Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“DPS”), and a 25.1% limited liability company
interest in Xxxxxxxx Four Corners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Four Corners LLC”).
DPS is the sole member of Discovery Gas Transmission, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“DGT”).
Prior to, or as of, the date hereof, the following have occurred:
(a) The General Partner, XXX, Xxxxxxxx Field Services Group, LLC (“WFS Group”), Xxxxxxxx Field
Services Company, LLC (“WFS Company,” collectively with the General Partner, XXX and WFS Group, the
“Seller Parties”), the Partnership and OLLC entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated
November 16, 2006 (the “Four Corners Purchase and Sale Agreement”), pursuant to which the
Partnership will acquire an additional 74.9% member interest (the “Four Corners Interest”) in Four
Corners LLC from the Seller Parties for aggregate consideration of $1.223 billion;
(b) The Partnership entered into a Common Unit and Class B Unit Purchase Agreement, dated
December 1, 2006 (the “Private Unit Purchase Agreement”), with certain qualified institutional
buyers named as purchasers therein to issue and sell approximately $350 million of Common Units and
Class B units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Class B Units,” such
Class B Units together with the Common Units issued and sold pursuant thereto, the “Privately
Placed Units”) to such purchasers in a private placement (the “Equity Private Placement”); and
(c) On the date hereof, the General Partner, the Partnership, OLLC, Xxxxxxxx Partners Finance
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Xxxxxxxx Finance”), and the Initial Purchasers (as defined in
the Notes Purchase Agreement) have entered into a purchase agreement (the “Notes Purchase
Agreement”) relating to the offer and sale by the Partnership and Xxxxxxxx Finance of $600
principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Ten-Year Notes”) in a private placement
pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Act, with such Ten-Year Notes to be issued under
an indenture, to be dated as of the First Delivery Date (the “Indenture”), with The Bank of New
York, as trustee (the “Debt Private Placement”).
On the First Delivery Date, the following transactions will occur, unless otherwise noted:
(a) Pursuant to this Agreement, the Underwriters will pay cash to the Partnership in exchange
for the Firm Units;
(b) Pursuant to the Notes Purchase Agreement, the Initial Purchasers will pay cash to the
Issuers (as defined in the Notes Purchase Agreement) in exchange for the Ten-Year Notes;
(c) Pursuant to the Private Unit Purchase Agreement, the investors in the Equity Private
Placement will contribute cash to the Partnership in exchange for the Privately Placed Units;
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(d) The parties to the Four Corners Purchase and Sale Agreement will consummate the
transactions contemplated therein, which will include the following:
(i) the Partnership will use the proceeds from the offerings of the Firm Units, the
Debt Private Placement and the Equity Private Placement (i) to pay a portion of the
consideration under the Four Corners Purchase and Sale Agreement and (ii) to pay offering
and transaction expenses incurred by the Partnership and Xxxxxxxx Finance;
(ii) the Partnership will increase the capital account of the General Partner by an
amount equal to 2/98ths of the gross proceeds of the public offering of the Firm Units
pursuant to this Agreement and the Equity Private Placement and issue a proportionate amount
of General Partner Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement (as defined below)) to the
General Partner;
(iii) if required, the Partnership will issue unregistered Class B Units to the General
Partner as payment of a portion of the consideration under the Four Corners Purchase and
Sale Agreement (the “Sponsor Class B Units”); and
(iv) XXX, WFS Group, WFS Company, the General Partner, the Partnership and OLLC will
enter into the Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (the “Contribution
Agreement”), in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A to the Four Corners Purchase
and Sale Agreement;
(e) The General Partner will enter into and effectuate Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of August 23, 2005 (as the
same may be amended or restated on or prior to each Delivery Date, the “Partnership Agreement”);
(f) The Partnership and Xxxxxxxx Finance will enter into the Indenture with the Trustee;
(g) The Partnership and Xxxxxxxx Finance will enter into the Registration Rights Agreement
with the Initial Purchasers; and
(h) The Partnership will enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Private Equity
Registration Rights Agreement,” and with the Registration Rights Agreement, the “Registration
Rights Agreements”) with the purchasers in the Equity Private Placement.
The transactions described in clauses (a) through (h) above are referred to
herein as the “Transactions.”
Each of Xxxxxxxx Finance, MCFS, CTP, DPS, DGT and Four Corners LLC is referred to herein,
individually, as a “Subsidiary” and, collectively, as the “Subsidiaries.”
The Partnership, the General Partner, OLLC and the Subsidiaries are sometimes referred to
herein collectively as the “Partnership Entities.” The General Partner, the Partnership and OLLC
are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “Xxxxxxxx Parties.” The Xxxxxxxx
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Parties, together with Xxxxxxxx, XXX, WFS Group, WFS Company, Xxxxxxxx Pipeline, Holdings and
WE are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “Xxxxxxxx Entities.”
This is to confirm the agreement (this “Agreement”) concerning the purchase of the Firm Units
and the Option Units, if any, from the Partnership by the Underwriters.
Section 1. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Xxxxxxxx Parties. The Xxxxxxxx
Parties jointly and severally represent, warrant and agree that:
(a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-137562) with respect to the
Units has (i) been prepared by the Partnership in conformity with the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the rules and regulations
(the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
thereunder, (ii) been filed with the Commission under the Securities Act and (iii) become
effective under the Securities Act. Copies of such registration statement have been
delivered by the Partnership to the Representatives. As used in this Agreement,
(i) “Applicable Time” means 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on December 7, 2006, which
the Underwriters have informed the Partnership and its counsel is a time prior to the time
of the first sale of the Units;
(ii) “Effective Date” means any date as of which any part of the Registration Statement
became, or is deemed to have become, effective under the Securities Act in accordance with
the Rules and Regulations;
(iii) “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means each “free writing prospectus” (as defined
in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) prepared by or on behalf of the Partnership or
used or referred to by the Partnership in connection with the offering of the Units;
(iv) “Preliminary Prospectus” means any preliminary prospectus included in such
registration statement or filed with the Commission by the Partnership pursuant to Rule
424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, including any preliminary prospectus supplement thereto
relating to the Units;
(v) “Pricing Disclosure Package” means, as of the Applicable Time, the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus, together with (i) the number of Common Units and the public offering
price per Common Unit and disclosures directly relating thereto set forth on the cover page
of the Prospectus, (ii) the information included on Exhibit D hereto and (iii) each
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus filed or used by the Partnership on or before the Applicable
Time, other than a road show that is an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus under Rule 433 of the
Rules and Regulations;
(vi) “Prospectus” means the final prospectus supplement relating to the Units as filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations; and
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(vii) “Registration Statement” means, collectively, the registration statement on Form
S-3 (File No. 333-137562), as amended as of the Effective Date, including any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus and all exhibits to such registration statement.
Any reference to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to
and include any documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Form S-3 under the
Securities Act as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case
may be. Any reference to the “most recent Preliminary Prospectus” shall be deemed to refer
to the latest Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement or filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations prior to or on the date hereof
(including, for purposes hereof, any documents incorporated by reference therein prior to or
on the date hereof). Any reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any document filed
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), after the date
of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and incorporated by
reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3
under the Securities Act, as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus,
as the case may be; and any reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall
be deemed to include any annual report of the Partnership on Form 10-K filed with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the Effective Date
that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. The Commission has not
issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and no proceeding
or examination for such purpose has been instituted or threatened by the Commission.
(b) The Partnership was not at the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement
and at the earliest time thereafter that the Partnership or another offering participant
made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Rules and Regulations)
of the Units, is not on the date hereof and will not be on the applicable Delivery Date (as
defined in Section 4) an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405). The
Partnership has been since the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement and on
the date hereof is eligible to use Form S-3 for the offering of the Units.
(c) The Registration Statement conformed and will conform in all material respects on
the Effective Date and on the applicable Delivery Date, and any amendment to the
Registration Statement filed after the date hereof will conform in all material respects
when filed, to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations. The
most recent Preliminary Prospectus conformed, and the Prospectus will conform, in all
material respects when filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
Regulations and on the applicable Delivery Date to the requirements of the Securities Act
and the Rules and Regulations. The documents incorporated by reference in any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus conformed, and any further documents incorporated by reference
therein will conform, when filed with the Commission, in all material respects to the
requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, as applicable, and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.
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(d) The Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Date, contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that no representation
or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration
Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Partnership through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for
inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 8(e).
(e) The Prospectus will not, as of its date and on the applicable Delivery Date,
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to
information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Partnership through the Representatives by or on
behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified
in Section 8(e).
(f) The documents incorporated by reference in any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus did not, and any further documents filed and incorporated by reference therein
will not, when filed with the Commission, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(g) The Pricing Disclosure Package did not, as of the Applicable Time, contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information
contained in or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership through the Representatives
by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is
specified in Section 8(e).
(h) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including, without limitation, any road show
that is a free writing prospectus under Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations), if any, when
considered together with the Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
(i) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, conformed or will conform in all
material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations on
the date of first use, and the Partnership has complied with any filing requirements
applicable to such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to the Rules and Regulations.
The Partnership has not made any offer relating to the Units that would
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constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the
Representatives. The Partnership has retained in accordance with the Rules and Regulations
all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the
Rules and Regulations.
(j) The Partnership has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a
limited partnership under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the
“Delaware LP Act”), has full partnership power and authority necessary to own or hold its
properties and assets and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged, and is, or at
each Delivery Date will be, duly registered or qualified to do business as a foreign limited
partnership in each jurisdiction listed opposite its name in Annex I, such
jurisdictions being the only jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to so
register or qualify could not reasonably be expected to (i) have a material adverse effect
on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, securityholders’ equity,
properties, business or prospects of the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole (a “Material
Adverse Effect”), or (ii) subject the limited partners of the Partnership to any material
liability or disability.
(k) Each of the General Partner, OLLC, MCFS, CTP, DPS, DGT, XXX, WFS Group, WFS Company
and Four Corners LLC has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a
limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “Delaware
LLC Act”), has full limited liability company power and authority necessary to own or hold
its properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged, and is, or at each
Delivery Date will be, duly registered or qualified to do business as a foreign limited
liability company in each jurisdiction listed opposite its name in Annex I, such
jurisdictions being the only jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to so
register or qualify could not reasonably be expected to (i) have a Material Adverse Effect
or (ii) subject the limited partners of the Partnership to any material liability or
disability.
(l) On the First Delivery Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, the General
Partner will be the sole general partner of the Partnership with an approximate 2.0% general
partner interest in the Partnership; such general partner interest will be duly authorized
and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner
will own such general partner interest free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security
interests, charges or claims (collectively, “Liens”).
(m) As of the respective dates of the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus, other than the Units to be offered by the Partnership under this Agreement, the
Partnership has no limited partner interests issued and outstanding other than the
following:
(i) an aggregate of 1,250,000 Common Units and 7,000,000 subordinated units
representing limited partner interests in the Partnership
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(“Subordinated Units”) held by affiliates of Xxxxxxxx (the “Sponsor Units”)
representing an aggregate 37.4% limited partner interest in the Partnership;
(ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) held
by the General Partner; and
(iii) 13,348,276 Common Units representing an aggregate 60.6% limited partner interest
in the Partnership issued to public unitholders (the “Existing Public Units”).
All of such Sponsor Units, Incentive Distribution Rights, Existing Public Units and the
limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued
in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required
under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be
affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and XXX owns such
XXX Sponsor Units, WE owns such WE Sponsor Units, Xxxxxxxx Pipeline owns such Xxxxxxxx
Pipeline Sponsor Units, Holdings owns such Holdings Sponsor Units and the General Partner
owns such Incentive Distribution Rights, in each case, free and clear of all Liens (except,
with respect to the Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, restrictions on
transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement or as described in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus).
(n) The Firm Units and the Option Units, if any, to be issued and sold by the
Partnership to the Underwriters under this Agreement have been duly authorized and, when
issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, will be
validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and
non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607
and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); the Firm Units and the Option Units, if any, when issued
and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, will conform in
all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus; and other than the Sponsor Units, the Incentive Distribution
Rights and the Existing Public Units, the Firm Units and the Option Units, if any, will be
the only limited partner interests of the Partnership issued and outstanding at each
Delivery Date other than (i) the Privately Placed Units (including Common Units issued upon
conversion of the Class B Units issued in the Equity Private Placement), (ii) the Sponsor
Class B Units (including Common Units issued upon conversion of the Class B Units issued
upon conversion thereof) and (iii) any Common Units issued after the date of this Agreement
to participants of the General Partner’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) pursuant
thereto.
(o) The Partnership is the sole member of OLLC with a 100% limited liability company
interest in OLLC; such limited liability company interest has been duly authorized and
validly issued in accordance with the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement of OLLC (as the same may be amended and restated on or prior to each Delivery
Date, the “OLLC Agreement”) and is fully paid (to the extent required under the OLLC
Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-
8
assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act);
and the Partnership owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of all
Liens.
(p) On the First Delivery Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, OLLC will own
a 100% limited liability company interest in Four Corners LLC; such limited liability
company interest will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Four
Corners LLC Agreement and is fully paid (to the extent required under the Four Corners LLC
Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessibility may be affected by Sections
18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act), subject to the capital contribution provisions
of the Four Corners LLC Agreement; and OLLC will own such limited liability company interest
free and clear of all Liens.
(q) OLLC owns a 100% limited liability company interest in each of MCFS and CTP; such
limited liability company interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in
accordance with the respective limited liability company agreements of each of MCFS and CTP
(as the same may be amended or restated on or prior to each Delivery Date, the “Wholly Owned
Subsidiary LLC Agreements”), and have been fully paid (to the extent required under the
Wholly Owned Subsidiary LLC Agreements) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability
may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and OLLC owns such
limited liability company interests free and clear of all Liens.
(r) OLLC owns a 40% limited liability company interest in DPS; such limited liability
company interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited
liability company agreement of DPS (as such may be amended and restated on or prior to each
Delivery Date, the “DPS LLC Agreement”) and is fully paid (to the extent required under the
DPS LLC Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by
Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act), subject to the capital contribution
provision of the DPS LLC Agreement; and OLLC owns such limited liability company interest
free and clear of all Liens. DPS is the sole member of DGT with a 100% limited liability
company interest in DGT; such limited liability company interest has been duly authorized
and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of DGT (as the
same may be amended or restated on or prior to each Delivery Date (the “DGT LLC Agreement,”
and together with the DPS LLC Agreement, the Four Corners LLC Agreement and the Wholly Owned
Subsidiary LLC Agreements, the “Subsidiary LLC Agreements”) and is fully paid (to the extent
required under the DGT LLC Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability
may be affected by Section 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act), subject to the
capital contribution provisions of the DGT LLC Agreement; and DPS owns such limited
liability company interest free and clear of all Liens.
(s) Other than (i) the General Partner’s ownership of an approximate 2.0% general
partner interest in the Partnership, its ownership of the Incentive Distribution Rights and,
if issued pursuant to the Four Corners Purchase and Sale Agreement, Class B Units, (ii) the
Partnership’s ownership of a 100% limited liability company interest in
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OLLC and 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Xxxxxxxx
Finance, (iii) OLLC’s ownership of a 100% limited liability company interest in each of MCFS
and CTP, (iv) OLLC’s ownership of a 40% limited liability company interest in DPS, (v) DPS’
100% limited liability company interest in DGT, and (vi) OLLC’s ownership of a 100% limited
liability company interest in Four Corners LLC, on each Delivery Date, after giving effect
to the Transactions, none of the Partnership Entities will own, directly or indirectly, any
equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association or other entity; and none of the entities mentioned in
the preceding clauses (i) through (vi), other than DPS, Four Corners LLC,
OLLC, MCFS and CTP is a “significant subsidiary” of the Partnership as such term is defined
in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.
(t) XXX owns a 100% limited liability company interest in the General Partner; such
limited liability company interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance
with the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of the General Partner (as the
same may be amended or restated on or prior to each Delivery Date, the “GP LLC Agreement”),
and is fully paid (to the extent required under the GP LLC Agreement) and non-assessable
(except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the
Delaware LLC Act); and XXX owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of
all Liens.
(u) Xxxxxxxx directly or indirectly owns a 100% limited liability company interest in
each of XXX, WFS Group and WFS Company; such limited liability company interests have been
duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the respective limited liability
company agreements of XXX, WFS Group and WFS Company (as the same may be amended or restated
on or prior to each Delivery Date, the “Xxxxxxxx Subsidiary LLC Agreements”) and are fully
paid (to the extent required under the Xxxxxxxx Subsidiary LLC Agreements) and
non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and
18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and Xxxxxxxx owns such limited liability company interests
free and clear of all Liens.
(v) WE owns a 20% limited liability company interest in DPS; such limited liability
company interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the DPS LLC
Agreement and is fully paid (to the extent required under the DPS LLC Agreement) and
non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and
18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act), subject to the capital contribution provisions of the DPS
LLC Agreement; and WE owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of all
Liens.
(w) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus or
as provided in the credit agreement, dated May 1, 2006, among the Partnership, certain
subsidiaries of Xxxxxxxx and the lenders named therein (the “Credit Agreement”), the amended
and restated loan agreement, dated August 7, 2006, between the Partnership and Xxxxxxxx (the
“Revolving Credit Agreement”), the Private Unit Purchase Agreement, the Private Equity
Registration Rights Agreement or the Organizational Documents (as defined below), there are
no preemptive rights or other
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rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer
of, (i) any limited partner interests in the Partnership or (ii) any limited liability
company interests in the General Partner, OLLC or, except as provided in the DPS LLC
Agreement, the DGT LLC Agreement and the Four Corners LLC Agreement, any of the
Subsidiaries, in each case pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the OLLC Agreement, the GP
LLC Agreement or the Subsidiary LLC Agreements, each as amended or restated on or prior to
each Delivery Date (collectively, the “Organizational Documents”), or any other agreement or
instrument to which any of such entities is a party or by which any one of them may be
bound. Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus or
for restricted units granted under the LTIP, there are no outstanding options or warrants to
purchase (A) any Common Units or Subordinated Units or other interests in the Partnership or
(B) any interests in the General Partner, OLLC or the Subsidiaries.
(x) None of the Partnership Entities has sold or issued any securities that would be
integrated with the offering of the Units contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the
Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.
(y) The Partnership has all requisite power and authority to issue, sell and deliver
the Firm Units and the Option Units, if any, in accordance with and upon the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Registration
Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. On each Delivery
Date, all corporate, partnership and limited liability company action, as the case may be,
required to be taken by the Xxxxxxxx Entities or any of their stockholders, members or
partners for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Firm Units and the Option
Units, if any, and the consummation of the transactions (including the Transactions)
contemplated by this Agreement, shall have been validly taken.
(z) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by or
on behalf of each of the Xxxxxxxx Parties.
(aa) (i) The Partnership Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the General Partner and is a valid and legally binding agreement of the General Partner,
enforceable against the General Partner in accordance with its terms;
(ii) The OLLC Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or
on behalf of the Partnership and is a valid and legally binding agreement of the
Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with its terms;
(iii) The GP LLC Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
XXX, and is a valid and legally binding agreement of XXX, enforceable against XXX in
accordance with its terms;
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(iv) Each of the MCFS LLC Agreement and the CTP LLC Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of OLLC, and each is a valid and
legally binding agreement of OLLC, enforceable against OLLC in accordance with its
terms;
(v) The DPS LLC Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
or on behalf of each of OLLC and WE and, assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by Duke Energy Field Services, LP, is a valid and legally binding agreement
of OLLC and WE, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms;
(vi) The Four Corners Purchase and Sale Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of XXX, WFS Group, WFS Company, the
General Partner, the Partnership and OLLC and is a valid and legally binding
agreement of each of them, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its
terms;
(vii) The Private Unit Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by or on behalf of the Partnership and is a valid and legally binding
agreement of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with
its terms; and
(viii) The Notes Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by or on behalf of the Partnership.
provided that, with respect to each agreement described in this Section 1(aa), the
enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer or
conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’
rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and provided, further,
that the indemnity, contribution and exoneration provisions contained in any of such
agreements may be limited by applicable laws and public policy (collectively, the
“Enforceability Exceptions”).
(bb) On or before the First Delivery Date:
(i) The Contribution Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by or on behalf of each of XXX, WFS Group, WFS Company, the General
Partner, the Partnership and OLLC and will be a valid and legally binding agreement
of each of them, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms; and
(ii) The Indenture will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or
on behalf of the Partnership and Xxxxxxxx Finance and, assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery by the trustee named therein, will be a valid and legally
binding agreement of the Partnership and Xxxxxxxx Finance,
12
enforceable against the Partnership and Xxxxxxxx Finance in accordance with its
terms;
provided that, with respect to each agreement described in this Section 1(bb), the
enforceability thereof may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions. The Four Corners
Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Contribution Agreement are herein collectively referred
to as the “Operative Agreements.”
(cc) None of the offering, issuance and sale by the Partnership of the Units and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the most
recent Preliminary Prospectus, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or
the Operative Agreements by the Xxxxxxxx Entities that are parties thereto, or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Transactions)
(i) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a violation of the
agreement of limited partnership, limited liability company agreement, certificate or
articles of incorporation or bylaws or other organizational documents of any of the Xxxxxxxx
Entities, (ii) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach or
violation of, or a default under (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute such an event), any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement,
lease or other agreement or instrument to which any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities is a party or
by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound, (iii) violates or
will violate any statute, law or regulation or any order, judgment, decree or injunction of
any court or governmental agency or body directed to any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities or any of
their properties in a proceeding to which any of them or their property is a party or (iv)
will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of any of
the Xxxxxxxx Entities, which conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults or Liens, in the case
of clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv), would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(dd) Except for (i) the registration of the Units under the Securities Act, (ii) such
consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and applicable
state securities laws in connection with the purchase and sale of the Units by the
Underwriters, (iii) such consents (as defined below) that have been, or prior to each
Delivery Date will be, obtained, (iv) such consents in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Operative Agreements that, if not obtained, would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or (v) such consents in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Operative Agreements that are (A) of a routine or
administrative nature, (B) are not customarily obtained or made prior to the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by the Operative Agreements and (C) are expected in the
reasonable judgment of the General Partner to be obtained in the ordinary course of business
subsequent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Agreements,
no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any court
or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties or
any of their properties or assets (“consent”) is required for the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by
13
the Xxxxxxxx Parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(including the Transactions) and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Units
as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus.
(ee) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and
the Partnership Agreement, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between any
of the Xxxxxxxx Parties and any person granting such person the right to require the
Partnership to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any
equity securities of the Partnership Entities owned or to be owned by such person or to
require the Partnership to include such equity securities in the Units registered pursuant
to the Registration Statement or in any equity securities being registered pursuant to any
other registration statement filed by any of the Partnership Entities under the Securities
Act.
(ff) None of the Partnership Entities has sustained, since the date of the latest
audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, any loss or interference with its business from
fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any
labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth
or contemplated in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; and, since
such date, except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus,
there has not been any change in the capitalization or long-term debt of any of the
Partnership Entities or any adverse change, or any development involving a prospective
adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of
operations, securityholders’ equity, properties, management, business or prospects of any of
the Partnership Entities, in each case except as could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(gg) The historical financial statements (including the related notes and supporting
schedules) included or incorporated by reference in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus
and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the entities purported to be
shown thereby on the basis stated therein at the respective dates or for the respective
periods to which they apply and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States consistently applied throughout the periods
involved, except to the extent disclosed therein. The summary historical and pro forma
financial and operating information set forth in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and
the Prospectus under the caption “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and
Operating Data” is accurately presented in all material respects and prepared on a basis
consistent with the audited and unaudited historical consolidated financial statements and
pro forma financial statements, as applicable, from which it has been derived.
14
(hh) The pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act; such
pro forma financial statements have been properly compiled on the bases described therein;
the assumptions used in the preparation of such pro forma financial statements are, in the
opinion of management of the General Partner, reasonable; and the pro forma adjustments used
in such pro forma financial statements are appropriate to give effect to the transactions
and circumstances referred to therein. At September 30, 2006, the Partnership would have
had, on the consolidated pro forma basis indicated in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus
and the Prospectus, a capitalization as set forth therein.
(ii) Ernst & Young LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the
Partnership, the General Partner, Four Corners LLC and DPS, whose reports appear in or are
incorporated by reference in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
who have delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(g) hereof, were an
independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Partnership and the
General Partner during those periods covered by the financial statements on which they
reported contained in or are incorporated by reference in the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus for which they were required by the Rules and Regulations to
be an independent registered public accounting firm.
(jj) On each Delivery Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, each of the
Partnership Entities will have good and indefeasible title to all real property and good
title to all personal property, contemplated as owned or to be owned by any of them in the
Operative Agreements or the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, in each
case free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests, encumbrances and other
defects, except (i) such as are described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus or (ii) such as do not materially interfere with the use made in the past and
proposed to be made in the future of such property as described in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided, that, with respect to title to pipeline
rights-of-way, the Xxxxxxxx Parties represent that (A) no Xxxxxxxx Entity has received any
actual notice or claim from any owner of land upon which any pipeline that will be owned by
any Subsidiary as of the First Delivery Date as described in the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus is located that such Xxxxxxxx Entity does not have sufficient
title to enable it to use and occupy the pipeline rights-of-way as they have been used and
occupied in the past and are proposed to be used and occupied in the future as described in
the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and (B) any lack of title to the
pipeline rights-of-way that will have a material adverse effect on the ability of any
Subsidiary to use and occupy the pipeline rights-of-way as they have been used and occupied
in the past and are proposed to be used and occupied in the future as described in the most
recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus will be subject to the indemnification
provisions of Section 2.3(a)(i) of the Omnibus Agreement, dated August 23, 2005, among XXX,
WE, Xxxxxxxx Pipeline, Holdings, the General Partner, the Partnership, OLLC and (for
purposes of Articles V and VI thereof only) Xxxxxxxx. All assets held under lease or
license by the Partnership Entities are held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases
or licenses, with such exceptions as are not material and
15
do not materially interfere with the use made in the past and proposed to be made in
the future of such assets by the Partnership Entities taken as a whole as described in the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(kk) Each of the Partnership Entities carry, or are covered by, insurance from insurers
of recognized financial responsibility in such amounts and covering such risks related to
property damage and liability to third parties as is reasonably adequate for the conduct of
their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary
for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries. All policies of
insurance of each of the Partnership Entities are in full force and effect on the date
hereof; each of the Partnership Entities are in compliance with the terms of such policies
in all material respects as of the date hereof; and none of the Partnership Entities has
received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that substantial capital
improvements or other expenditures will have to be made in order to continue such insurance.
(ll) Each of the Partnership Entities owns or possesses adequate rights to use all
material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark
registrations, service xxxx registrations, copyrights, licenses and know-how (including
trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential
information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses
and none of the Partnership Entities has any reason to believe that the conduct of their
respective businesses conflict or will conflict in any material respect with, and have not
received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of other parties.
(mm) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus,
there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties
is a party or of which any of their property or assets is the subject that could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or that are required to be described in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus but are not described as required; and to the
knowledge of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, no such proceedings are threatened by governmental
authorities or by others.
(nn) There are no contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations that have not
been described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus or filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement; and the statements set forth in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus under the captions “Summary—The Offering,” “How We Make Cash
Distributions,” “Description of the Common Units” and “The Partnership Agreement,” insofar
as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Common Units and the
Subordinated Units, and under the captions “Tax Considerations,” and
16
“Material Tax Considerations” insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the
laws and documents referred to therein, are fair summaries in all material respects.
(oo) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus,
no labor disturbance by the employees of any of the Partnership Entities (and to the extent
they perform services on behalf of any of the Partnership Entities, employees employed
directly or indirectly by any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities other than the Partnership Entities),
exists or, to the knowledge of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, is imminent or threatened, which might
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(pp) Each of the Xxxxxxxx Parties has filed all federal, state and local income and
franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, subject to permitted
extensions, and has timely paid all taxes shown to be due thereon, other than those (i)
which, if not filed or paid, would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) which are
being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(qq) Since the date as of which information is given in the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus through the date hereof, and except as disclosed in the most
recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, none of the Partnership Entities have (i)
issued or granted any securities (other than the Privately Placed Units, the Sponsor Class B
Units and the Ten-Year Notes), (ii) incurred any liability or obligation, direct or
contingent, other than liabilities and obligations which were incurred in the ordinary
course of business (other than the Ten-Year Notes) or (iii) entered into any transaction not
in the ordinary course of business.
(rr) Each of the Partnership Entities (i) makes and keeps books and records which, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets
and (ii) maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable
assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorizations, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
the Partnership’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States and to maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to
the Partnership’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for the Partnership’s assets is
compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.
(ss) (i) The Partnership has established and maintains disclosure controls and
procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act), (ii) such
disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to
be disclosed by the Partnership and its subsidiaries in the reports they file or submit
under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management of the Partnership and
its subsidiaries, including their respective principal executive officers and principal
financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure
17
to be made and (iii) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all
material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.
(tt) Since the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Partnership and its
consolidated subsidiaries audited by Ernst & Young LLP, (i) the certifying officers of the
General Partner have not disclosed to the Partnership’s auditors and the audit committee of
the General Partner’s board of directors (A) any significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonable likely to adversely affect the Partnership’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information, or (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that
involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Partnership’s
internal control over financial reporting, and (ii) since that date, there have been no
changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control
over financial reporting.
(uu) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus,
no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Partnership Entities, on
the one hand, and the directors, officers, securityholders, customers or suppliers of the
Partnership Entities, on the other hand, that is required to be described in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus which is not so described. No Partnership Entity
has, in violation of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, directly or indirectly, extended or
maintained credit, or arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed or amended any
extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any of its directors or
executive officers.
(vv) The Partnership is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002.
(ww) None of the Xxxxxxxx Parties (i) is in violation of its certificate or agreement
of limited partnership, certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement,
certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws or other organizational documents; (ii)
is in breach or default in any material respect, and no event has occurred which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default, in the due
performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a
party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject, (iii)
is in violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental
agency or body having jurisdiction over its property or assets or (iv) has failed to obtain
any license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit
necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, except in the
case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) as could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(xx) None of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, nor any director, officer, employee, or to the
knowledge of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, any agent or other person associated with or acting on
18
behalf of any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, has used any corporate funds for any unlawful
contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity;
made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official
or employee from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment,
kickback or other unlawful payment.
(yy) Except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, the Xxxxxxxx
Parties and Four Corners LLC (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal,
state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of health and human safety,
the environment or natural resources or imposing liability or standards of conduct
concerning any Hazardous Materials (as defined below) (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) have
received and, as necessary, maintained all permits required of them under applicable
Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, (iii) are in compliance with all
terms and conditions of any such permits and (iv) do not have any liability in connection
with the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material, except where such
noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive and maintain required permits,
failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits or liability in connection
with such releases could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. The term “Hazardous Materials” means (A) any “hazardous
substance” as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), (B) any “hazardous waste” as defined in the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, (C) any petroleum or petroleum product,
(D) any polychlorinated biphenyl and (E) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous,
dangerous or toxic chemical, material, waste or substance regulated under or within the
meaning of any other Environmental Law. None of the Xxxxxxxx Parties or Four Corners LLC
has been named as a “potentially responsible party” under CERCLA or any other similar
Environmental Law, except with respect to any matters that, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, (A) none of the
Xxxxxxxx Parties is a party to any proceeding under Environmental Laws in which a
governmental authority is also a party, other than such proceedings in which it is
reasonably believed that no monetary penalties of $100,000 or more will be imposed, and (B)
none of the Xxxxxxxx Parties anticipates material capital expenditures relating to
Environmental Laws.
(zz) As of each Delivery Date, and after giving effect to the Transactions, each
Partnership Entity will be in compliance in all material respects with all presently
applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ERISA”); no “reportable
event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in
ERISA) for which any Partnership Entity (after giving effect to the Transactions) would have
any liability, excluding any reportable event for which a waiver could apply; no Partnership
Entity (after giving effect to the Transactions) expects to incur liability under (i) Title
IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal
19
from, any “pension plan” or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the
“Code”); and each “pension plan” for which any Partnership Entity would have any liability
that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by the
Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or
by failure to act, which could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such
qualification.
(aaa) Each of the Partnership Entities has, or at each Delivery Date will have, such
permits, consents, licenses, franchises, certificates and authorizations of governmental or
regulatory authorities (“permits”) as are necessary to own or lease its properties and to
conduct its business in the manner described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and
the Prospectus, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and (i) except for such permits that, if not
obtained, could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect or (ii) such permits that have been, or prior to each Delivery Date
will be, obtained; except as described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus, each of the Partnership Entities has, or at each Delivery Date will have,
fulfilled and performed all its material obligations with respect to such permits that are
or will be due to have been fulfilled and performed by such date; and no event has occurred
that would prevent the permits from being renewed or reissued or that allows, or after
notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results or would
result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such permit, except for such
non-renewals, non-issues, revocations, terminations and impairments that could not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(bbb) None of the Partnership Entities are or, as of each Delivery Date after giving
effect to the Transactions and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described
under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus, will be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
(ccc) None of the Xxxxxxxx Parties has distributed and, prior to the later to occur of
any Delivery Date and completion of the distribution of the Units, will not distribute any
offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Units other than any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the
Representatives have consented in accordance with Sections 1(i) or 5(a)(vi).
(ddd) None of the Xxxxxxxx Entities has taken, nor will it take, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that could reasonably be
expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common
Units to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.
(eee) Except for this Agreement and any engagement letters with the Representatives,
there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the
20
Partnership and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the
Partnership or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like
payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Units contemplated by this
Agreement.
(fff) The statistical and market-related data included in the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Partnership
Entities believe to be reliable and accurate in all material respects.
Each certificate signed by or on behalf of any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties and delivered to the
Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by each such Xxxxxxxx Party to the Underwriters as to the matters
covered thereby.
Section 2. Purchase of the Units by the Underwriters. On the basis of the representations and
warranties contained in and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Partnership
agrees to sell the Firm Units to the several Underwriters and each of the Underwriters, severally
and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of Firm Units set forth opposite that Underwriter’s
name in Schedule 1 hereto. The respective purchase obligations of the Underwriters with
respect to the Firm Units shall be rounded among the Underwriters to avoid fractional Common Units
as the Representatives may determine.
In addition, the Partnership grants to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to 1,050,000
Common Units, severally and not jointly. Such option (the “Option”) is exercisable in the event
that the Underwriters sell more Common Units than the number of Firm Units in the offering and as
set forth in Section 4 hereof. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase the number of Option Units (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional Common
Units as the Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of
Option Units to be sold on such Delivery Date as the number of Firm Units set forth in Schedule
1 hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Units.
The price of both the Firm Units and any Option Units shall be $36.48 per Common Unit.
The Partnership shall not be obligated to deliver any of the Units to be delivered on any
Delivery Date, except upon payment for all the Units to be purchased on such Delivery Date as
provided herein.
Section 3. Offering of Units by the Underwriters. Upon authorization by the Representatives of the
release of the Firm Units, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Units for sale upon
the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
Section 4. Delivery of and Payment for the Units. Delivery of and payment for the Firm Units shall
be made at the offices of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx LLP, 000 Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 at 9:00
A.M., Houston, Texas time, on the fifth full business day following the date of this Agreement or
at such other date or place as shall be determined by agreement among the Representatives and the
Partnership. This date and time are sometimes referred to as the “First
21
Delivery Date.” On the
First Delivery Date, the Partnership shall deliver or cause to be delivered the Firm Units to the
Representatives for the account of each Underwriter in book entry form through the facilities of
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) against payment to or upon the order of the Partnership of the
purchase price by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
Partnership. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant
to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter hereunder.
The Option granted in Section 2 will expire 30 days after the date of this Agreement
and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time by written notice being given to the
Partnership by the Representatives; provided that if such date falls on a day that is not a
business day, the Option granted in Section 2 will expire on the next succeeding business
day. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Units as to which the Option is
being exercised, the names in which the Option Units are to be registered, the denominations in
which the Option Units are to be issued and the date and time, as determined by the
Representatives, when the Option Units are to be delivered; provided, however, that this date and
time shall not be earlier than the First Delivery Date nor earlier than the second business day
after the date on which the Option shall have been exercised nor later than the fifth business day
after the date on which the Option shall have been exercised. The date and time the Option Units
are delivered are sometimes referred to as a “Second Delivery Date” and the First Delivery Date and
any Second Delivery Date are sometimes each referred to as a “Delivery Date.”
Delivery of and payment for the Option Units shall be made at the place specified in the first
sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 4 (or at such other place as shall be
determined by agreement among the Representatives and the Partnership) at 9:00 A.M., Houston, Texas
time, on such Second Delivery Date. On such Second Delivery Date, the Partnership shall deliver or
cause to be delivered the Option Units to the Representatives for the account of each Underwriter
in book entry form through the facilities of DTC against payment to or upon the order of the
Partnership of the purchase price by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account
specified by the Partnership. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place
specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter
hereunder.
Section 5. Further Agreements of the Xxxxxxxx Parties.
(a) Each of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, jointly and separately, covenants and agrees with
each Underwriter:
(i) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives and to file
such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations not later than the
Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and
delivery of this Agreement; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus prior to the last Delivery Date except as provided
herein; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
time when any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus has
been filed and to furnish the Representatives
22
with copies thereof; to file promptly all
reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the
Partnership with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a
prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Units; to advise the
Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order or of any order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus,
the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification
of the Units for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of
any proceeding for any such purpose or of any request by the Commission for the amending or
supplementing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or
any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the
issuance of any stop order or of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus
or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly
its best efforts to obtain its withdrawal;
(ii) To furnish promptly to the Representatives and to counsel for the Underwriters a
signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission, and each
amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed
therewith;
(iii) To deliver promptly to the Representatives such number of the following documents
as the Representatives shall reasonably request: (A) conformed copies of the Registration
Statement as originally filed with the Commission and each amendment thereto (in each case
excluding exhibits other than this Agreement and the computation of per unit earnings), (B)
each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amended or supplemented Prospectus, and
(C) each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at
any time after the date hereof in connection with the offering or sale of the Units or any
other securities relating thereto and if at such time any events shall have occurred as a
result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when
such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any
document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities
Act or the Exchange
Act, to notify the Representatives and, upon its request, to file such document and to
prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as
many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or
supplemented Prospectus that will correct such statement or omission or effect such
compliance;
(iv) To file promptly with the Commission any amendment to the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus or any supplement to the Prospectus that may, in
23
the reasonable judgment
of the Partnership or the Representatives, be required by the Securities Act or requested by
the Commission;
(v) Prior to filing with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any
amendment to an document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to furnish a copy
thereof to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters and obtain the consent of
the Representatives to the filing, which consent shall not be reasonably withheld and which
shall be provided to the Partnership promptly after having been given notice of the proposed
filing; provided that, the foregoing provision shall not apply if such filing is, in the
judgment of counsel to the Partnership, required by law;
(vi) Not to make any offer relating to the Units that would constitute an Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives.
(vii) To retain in accordance with the Rules and Regulations all Issuer Free Writing
Prospectuses not required to be filed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations; and if at any
time after the date hereof any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer
Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would conflict with the
information in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it
shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to notify the
Representatives and, upon its request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish
without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as the Representatives may from time to
time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that
will correct such conflict, statement or omission or effect such compliance;
(viii) As soon as practicable after the Effective Date and in any event not later than
16 months after the date hereof, to make generally available to the Partnership’s security
holders and to deliver to the Representatives an earnings statement of the Partnership and
its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities
Act and the Rules and Regulations;
(ix) For a period of two years following the Effective Date, to furnish, or to make
available via the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (XXXXX)
System, to the Representatives a copy of all materials furnished by the Partnership to its
unitholders (excluding any periodic income tax reporting materials) and all public reports
and all reports and financial statements furnished by the Partnership to the principal
national securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Units may be
listed pursuant to requirements of or agreements with such exchange or to the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation of the Commission thereunder;
24
(x) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Representatives may
reasonably request to qualify the Units for offering and sale under the securities laws of
such jurisdictions as the Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to
permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as
may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Units; provided that in connection
therewith the Partnership shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign limited
partnership in any jurisdiction in which it would not otherwise be required to so qualify,
(ii) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject
itself to taxation in any jurisdiction in which it would not otherwise be subject;
(xi) For a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 90th day after the
date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”), not to, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for
sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is
designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in
the future of) any Common Units or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common
Units (other than the Units, the Privately Placed Units (including Common Units issuable
upon conversion of the Class B Units sold in the Private Placement), the Sponsor Class B
Units (including Common Units issuable upon conversion thereof), Common Units issuable upon
conversion of Subordinated Units and Common Units issued pursuant to employee benefit plans,
qualified option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof or
pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights), or sell or grant options,
rights or warrants with respect to any Common Units or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for Common Units (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans
existing on the date hereof), (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that
transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of
ownership of such Common Units, whether any such transaction described in clause (1)
or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Units or other securities, in
cash or otherwise, (3) file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any
amendments, with respect to the registration of any Common Units or securities convertible,
exercisable or exchangeable into Common Units or any other securities of the Partnership
(other than any registration statement on Form S-8, any registration statement on Form S-4
relating solely to the exchange of the Ten-Year Notes or any registration statement on Form
S-3 relating solely to the resale of any Common Units included in the Privately Placed Units
(including any Common Units issued upon conversion of any Class B Units included in the
Privately
Placed Units) or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in
each case, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the
Underwriters, and to cause each officer and director of the General Partner and unitholder
of the Partnership set forth on Schedule 2 hereto to furnish to the Representatives,
prior to the First Delivery Date, a letter or letters, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto (the “Lock-Up Agreements”).
(xii) To apply the net proceeds from the offering of the Units as set forth in the
Prospectus; and
25
(xiii) To take such steps as shall be necessary to ensure that none of the Partnership
Entities shall become an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
(xiv) To apply for the supplemental listing of the Units on the New York Stock Exchange
(“NYSE”), and to use its reasonable best efforts to complete that listing, subject only to
official notice of issuance, prior to the First Delivery Date.
(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees that such Underwriter shall not include any
“issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations) in any “free
writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) used or referred
to by such Underwriter without the prior consent of the General Partner (any such issuer
information with respect to whose use the General Partner has given its consent, being
defined as “Permitted Issuer Information”); provided that (i) no such consent shall be
required with respect to any such issuer information contained in any document filed by the
Partnership with the Commission prior to the use of such free writing prospectus and (ii)
“issuer information,” as used in this Section 5(b), shall not be deemed to include
information prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter on the basis of or derived from
issuer information.
Section 6. Expenses. The Xxxxxxxx Parties agree, whether or not the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay all costs, expenses, fees
and taxes incident to and in connection with (a) the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of
the Units and any stamp duties or other taxes payable in that connection, and the preparation and
printing of certificates for the Units; (b) the preparation, printing and filing under the
Securities Act of the Registration Statement (including any exhibits thereto), any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
thereto; (c) the distribution of the Registration Statement (including any exhibits thereto), any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto, all as provided in this Agreement; (d) the production and distribution of this
Agreement, any supplemental agreement among Underwriters, and any other related documents in
connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Units; (e) any required review by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) of the terms of sale of the Units
(including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters); (f) the listing of the
Units on the NYSE; (g) the qualification of the Units under the securities laws of the several
jurisdictions as provided in Section 5(a)(x) and the preparation, printing and distribution
of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters); (h)
the investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the
Units, including, without limitation, expenses associated with any electronic roadshow, travel and
lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Xxxxxxxx Parties and the cost of any
aircraft chartered in connection with the road show; and (i) all other costs and expenses incident
to the performance of the obligations of the Xxxxxxxx Parties under this Agreement; provided that,
except as provided in this Section 6 and in Section 11, the Underwriters shall pay
their own costs and expenses, including the costs and expenses of their counsel and the expenses of
advertising any offering of the Units made by the Underwriters.
26
Section 7. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The respective obligations of the Underwriters
hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and on each Delivery Date, of the representations
and warranties of the Xxxxxxxx Parties contained herein, to the performance by the Xxxxxxxx Parties
of their obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in accordance with
Section 5(a)(i); the Partnership shall have complied with all filing requirements
applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus used or referred to after the date hereof;
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceeding for such purpose shall have been
initiated or threatened by the Commission; and any request of the Commission for inclusion
of additional information in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus or otherwise shall have been complied with.
(b) No Underwriter shall have discovered and disclosed to the Partnership on or prior
to such Delivery Date that the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Prospectus or the Pricing Disclosure Package, or any amendment or supplement thereto
contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the reasonable opinion of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx
L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters, is material or omits to state a fact which, in the
reasonable opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to be stated therein or is
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Pricing Disclosure Package, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made).
(c) All corporate, partnership and limited liability company proceedings and other
legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Units,
the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement, the transactions
contemplated hereby (including the Transactions) shall be reasonably satisfactory in all
material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Xxxxxxxx
Parties shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they
may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(d) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives their written
opinion, as counsel to the Partnership Entities, addressed to the Underwriters and dated
such Delivery Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives,
with respect to the matters set forth in Exhibit B to this Agreement.
(e) The Representatives shall have received from Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, internal counsel to
the Partnership, his written opinion, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Delivery
Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, with respect to
the matters set forth in Exhibit C to this Agreement.
27
(f) The Representatives shall have received from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P., counsel for
the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated such Delivery Date, with respect to the
issuance and sale of the Units, the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Pricing Disclosure Package and other related matters as
the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Xxxxxxxx Parties shall have furnished to
such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to
pass upon such matters.
(g) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received
from Ernst & Young LLP a letter or letters, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representatives, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that
they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in
compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants
under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof
(or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as
of which specified financial information is given in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus,
as of a date not more than three days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and
findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily
covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered
public offerings.
(h) With respect to the letter or letters of Ernst & Young LLP referred to in the
preceding paragraph and delivered to the Representatives concurrently with the execution of
this Agreement (the “initial letter”), the Partnership shall have furnished to the
Representatives a letter (the “bring-down letter”) of such accountants, addressed to the
Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date (i) confirming that they are independent public
accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the
applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of
Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or,
with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of
which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than
three days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such
firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered
by the initial letter and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and
findings set forth in the initial letter.
(i) On each Delivery Date, the General Partner shall have furnished to the
Representatives a certificate, dated such Delivery Date, of its Chairman of the Board, its
President or a Vice President and its Chief Financial Officer stating that:
(i) the representations, warranties and agreements of the Xxxxxxxx Parties
contained in Section 1 of this Agreement are true and correct as of such
Delivery Date, and the Xxxxxxxx Parties have complied with all of their agreements
contained herein and satisfied all the conditions on their part to be performed or
satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Delivery Date;
28
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to
their knowledge, threatened; and
(iii) they have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Pricing
Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and in their opinion, (A)(1) the Registration
Statement, as of the Effective Date, (2) the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the
Applicable Time, or (3) the Prospectus, as of its date and on the applicable
Delivery Date, did not and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
and did not and do not omit to state a material fact (in the case of the
Registration Statement, required to be stated therein or) necessary to make the
statements therein (in the case of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the
Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made)
not misleading, and (B) since the Effective Date, no event has occurred that should
have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the
most recent Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus that has not been so set forth.
(j) None of the Partnership Entities shall have sustained since the date of the latest
audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the most recent
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (i) any loss or interference with its business
from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from
any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set
forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, or shall have become a party to or the subject of
any litigation, court or governmental action, investigation, order or decree which is
adverse to the Partnership Entities or (ii) since such date there shall not have been any
adverse change in the partners’ capital (other than the issuance of the Privately Placed
Units and the Sponsor Class B Units), members’ equity or short-term or long-term debt of the
Partnership Entities (other than the issuance of the Ten-Year Notes) or any change, or any
development involving a prospective adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial
or otherwise), results of operations, securityholders’ equity, properties, management,
business or prospects of the Partnership Entities, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any
such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is, in the judgment of the
Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to
proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Units being delivered on such
Delivery Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
(k) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (i) no downgrading shall
have occurred in the rating accorded the Partnership’s debt securities by any “nationally
recognized statistical rating organization” (as that term is defined by the Commission for
purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations), and (ii) no such organization
shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible
negative implications, its rating of any of the Partnership’s debt securities.
29
(l) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have
occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities generally on the NYSE or the
American Stock Exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or
materially limited or the settlement of such trading generally shall have been materially
disrupted or minimum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market
by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental
authority having jurisdiction, (ii) trading in any securities of the Partnership on any
exchange or in the over-the-counter market shall have been suspended or materially limited
or the settlement of such trading shall have been materially disrupted or minimum prices
shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such
exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction,
(iii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or state authorities, (iv)
the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, there shall have been an
escalation in hostilities involving the United States or there shall have been a declaration
of a national emergency or war by the United States or (v) there shall have occurred such a
material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions, including,
without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof (or the effect
of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such) as
to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed
with the public offering or delivery of the Units being delivered on such Delivery Date on
the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
(m) The NYSE shall have approved the Units for listing, subject only to official notice
of issuance.
(n) The Lock-Up Agreements among the Representatives and the persons and entities set
forth on Schedule 2, delivered to the Representatives on or before the date of this
Agreement, shall be in full force and effect on such Delivery Date.
(o) The Xxxxxxxx Parties shall have furnished the Representatives such additional
documents and certificates as the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters may
reasonably request.
(p) The Representatives shall have received evidence satisfactory to them that (i) the
Debt Private Placement has been consummated or will be consummated simultaneously with the
consummation of the offering of the Firm Units and (ii) the acquisition of the Four Corners
Interest pursuant to the Four Corners Purchase and Sale Agreement shall have been
consummated or will be consummated as of the First Delivery Date, in each case, on
substantially the terms as described in the Prospectus and this Agreement.
All opinions, letters, documents, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in
this Agreement shall be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.
30
Section 8. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Each of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold
harmless each Underwriter, its directors, officers and employees and each person, if any,
who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from
and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect
thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action
relating to purchases and sales of Units), to which that Underwriter, director, officer,
employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon,
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (A) any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (in the case of any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which any such
statements were made) or in any amendment or supplement thereto, (B) any Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under
which any such statements were made, (C) any Permitted Issuer Information used or referred
to in any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations)
used or referred to by any Underwriter, (D) any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 of the
Rules and Regulations) not constituting an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (a “Non-Prospectus
Road Show”) or (E) any Blue Sky application or other document prepared or executed by the
Partnership (or based upon any written information furnished by the Partnership for use
therein) specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all of the Units under the
securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction (any such application, document or
information being hereinafter called a “Blue Sky Application”), (ii) the omission or alleged
omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus,
any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any
Permitted Issuer Information, any Non-Prospectus Road Show or any Blue Sky Application, any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading (in the case of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which any such statements were made)
or (iii) any act or failure to act or any alleged act or failure to act by any
Underwriter in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the Units or the offering
contemplated hereby, and which is included as part of or referred to in any loss, claim,
damage, liability or action arising out of or based upon matters covered by clause
(i) or (ii) above (provided that the Xxxxxxxx Parties shall not be liable under
this clause (iii) to the extent that it is determined in a final judgment by a court
of competent jurisdiction that such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted
directly from any such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by such
Underwriter through its gross negligence or willful misconduct), and shall reimburse each
Underwriter and each such director, officer, employee or controlling person promptly upon
demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter, director,
officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or
preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such
expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Xxxxxxxx Parties shall not be liable in
any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises
out of, or is based upon,
31
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any such amendment or supplement
thereto or in any Permitted Issuer Information, any Non-Prospectus Road Show or any Blue Sky
Application, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such
Underwriter furnished to the Partnership through the Representatives by or on behalf of any
Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information consists solely of the
information specified in Section 8(e). The foregoing indemnity agreement is in
addition to any liability which the Partnership may otherwise have to any Underwriter or to
any director, officer, employee or controlling person of that Underwriter.
(b) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless each
of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, their respective directors (including any person who, with his or
her consent, is named in the Registration Statement as about to become a director of the
General Partner or the Partnership), managers, officers and employees, and each person, if
any, who controls any Xxxxxxxx Party within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act,
from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in
respect thereof, to which the Xxxxxxxx Parties or any such director, manager, officer,
employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon,
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Non-Prospectus Road Show or
Blue Sky Application, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus
or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Non-Prospectus Road Show or Blue Sky
Application, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading (in the case of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus
or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which any such
statements were made), but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written
information concerning such Underwriter furnished to the Partnership through the
Representatives by or on behalf of that Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein,
which information is limited to the information set forth in Section 8(e). The
foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability that any Underwriter may
otherwise have to any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties or any such director, manager, officer,
employee or controlling person.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of
notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section
8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that
action; provided, however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not
relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 8 except to the
extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure and, provided, further, that the
failure to notify the
32
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it
may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 8. If any such
claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the
indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein
and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying
party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to
assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to
the indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that the Representatives shall
have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the Representatives and those other
Underwriters and their respective directors, officers, employees and controlling persons who
may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be
sought by the Underwriters against the Xxxxxxxx Parties under this Section 8 if (i)
the Xxxxxxxx Parties and the Underwriters shall have so mutually agreed; (ii) the Xxxxxxxx
Parties have failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Underwriters; (iii) the Underwriters and their respective directors, officers, employees
and controlling persons shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses
available to them that are different from or in addition to those available to the Xxxxxxxx
Parties; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties)
include both the Underwriters or their respective directors, officers, employees or
controlling persons, on the one hand, and the Xxxxxxxx Parties or their respective
directors, managers, officers, employees or controlling persons, on the other hand, and
representation of both sets of parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to
actual or potential differing interests between them, and in any such event the fees and
expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the Xxxxxxxx Parties. No indemnifying
party shall (i) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in
respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified parties are actual
or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or
consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability
arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include any findings of
fact or admissions of fault or culpability as to the indemnified party, or (ii) be liable
for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying
party or if there be a final judgment of the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying
party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss
or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 shall for any reason
be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section
8(a) or 8(b) in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action
in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of
indemnifying such
33
indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect
thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
received by the Xxxxxxxx Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, from
the offering of the Units or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is
not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only
the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of
the Xxxxxxxx Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to
the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or
action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Xxxxxxxx Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters,
on the other, with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as
the total net proceeds from the offering of the Units purchased under this Agreement (before
deducting expenses) received by the Partnership, as set forth in the table on the cover page
of the Prospectus, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions
received by the Underwriters with respect to the Units purchased under this Agreement, as
set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, on the other hand, bear to the
total gross proceeds from the offering of the Units under this Agreement, as set forth in
the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by
reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission
or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Xxxxxxxx
Parties or the Underwriters, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access
to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The
Xxxxxxxx Parties and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this Section 8(d) were to be determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations
referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the
loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this
Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 8(d),
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this Section 8(d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Units underwritten by it and
distributed to the public was offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which
such Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute as provided in this
Section 8(d) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations
and not joint.
(e) The Underwriters severally confirm and the Xxxxxxxx Parties acknowledge that (i)
the table of underwriters, the second full paragraph under the heading “Commissions and
Expenses,” the last paragraph under the heading “Lock-Up
34
Agreements,” the first and second
full paragraphs and the last sentence of the third paragraph under the heading
“Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids,” the first paragraph under the heading
“Electronic Distribution” and the information under the heading “NASD Conduct Rules”
appearing under the caption “Underwriting” in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the
Prospectus and (ii) the information next to the caption “Stabilizing Transactions” in the
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus filed on the date of this Agreement are correct and
constitute the only information concerning such Underwriters furnished in writing to the
Xxxxxxxx Parties by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for inclusion in the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto.
Section 9. Defaulting Underwriters. If, on either Delivery Date, any Underwriter defaults in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters
shall be obligated to purchase the Units which the defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to
purchase on such Delivery Date in the respective proportions which the number of the Firm Units set
forth opposite the name of each remaining non-defaulting Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto
bears to the total number of Firm Units set forth opposite the names of all the remaining
non-defaulting Underwriters in Schedule 1 hereto; provided, however, that the remaining
non-defaulting Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase any of the Units on such Delivery
Date if the total number of the Units which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed to purchase on such date exceeds 9.09% of the total number of Units to be purchased on such
Delivery Date, and any remaining non-defaulting Underwriter shall not be obligated to purchase more
than 110% of the number of Units which it agreed to purchase on such Delivery Date pursuant to the
terms of Section 2. If the foregoing maximums are exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting
Underwriters, or those other underwriters satisfactory to the Representatives who so agree, shall
have the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be agreed upon
among them, all the Units to be purchased on such Delivery Date. If the remaining Underwriters or
other underwriters satisfactory to the Representatives do not elect to purchase the Units that the
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery Date, this
Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Delivery Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to
purchase, and of the Partnership to sell, the Option Units) shall terminate without liability on
the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Xxxxxxxx Parties, except that the Xxxxxxxx
Parties will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses to the extent set forth in
Sections 6 and 11. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for
all purposes of this Agreement unless the context requires otherwise, any party not listed in
Schedule 1 hereto who, pursuant to this Section 9, purchases Firm Units that a
defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.
Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have
to the Xxxxxxxx Parties for damages caused by its default. If other Underwriters are obligated or
agree to purchase the Units of a defaulting or withdrawing Underwriter, either the Representatives
or the Partnership, as the case may be, may postpone the Delivery Date for up to seven full
business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Partnership or
counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement.
35
Section 10. Termination. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by the
Representatives by notice given to and received by the Partnership prior to delivery of and payment
for the Firm Units if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Sections 7(j),
7(k) or 7(l), shall have occurred or if the Underwriters shall decline to purchase
the Units for any reason permitted under this Agreement.
Section 11. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If the Partnership shall fail to tender the
Units for delivery to the Underwriters by reason of any failure, refusal or inability on the part
of any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties to perform any agreement on its part to be performed, or because any
other condition of the Underwriters’ obligations hereunder required to be fulfilled by any of the
Xxxxxxxx Parties (including, without limitation, with respect to the Transactions) is not
fulfilled, the Xxxxxxxx Parties, will reimburse the Underwriters for all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Underwriters in connection
with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Units (the “Expenses”), and upon demand the
Xxxxxxxx Parties shall pay the full amount thereof to the Representatives. If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 9 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, the
Xxxxxxxx Parties shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Underwriter on account of those
Expenses. If this agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10 because any of the events
described in Section 7(l) shall have occurred, the Xxxxxxxx Parties will reimburse the
Underwriters severally through the Representatives on demand for its behalf of the Expenses;
provided, however, that the Xxxxxxxx Parties shall not be responsible for any amount in excess of
$500,000 under this sentence.
Section 12. Research Analyst Independence. In addition, the Xxxxxxxx Parties acknowledge that the
Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their
respective investment banking
divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’
research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish
research reports with respect to the Partnership and/or the offering of the Units that differ from
the views of their respective investment bankers. The Xxxxxxxx Parties hereby waive and release,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Xxxxxxxx Parties may have against the
Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views
expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or
inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Xxxxxxxx Parties by such Underwriters’
investment banking divisions. The Xxxxxxxx Parties acknowledge that each of the Underwriters is a
full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws,
may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short
positions in debt or equity securities of the Partnership.
Section 13. No Fiduciary Duty. The Xxxxxxxx Parties acknowledge and agree that in connection with
the offering of the Units, the sale of the Units or any other services the Underwriters may be
deemed to be providing hereunder, notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or
otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently
made by the Underwriters: (i) no fiduciary or agency
relationship between the Xxxxxxxx Parties and
any other person, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, exists; (ii) the
Underwriters are not acting as advisors, expert or otherwise, to the
36
Xxxxxxxx Parties, including,
without limitation, with respect to the determination of the public offering price of the Units,
and such relationship between the Xxxxxxxx Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the
other, is entirely and solely commercial, based on arms-length negotiations; (iii) any duties and
obligations that the Underwriters may have to the Xxxxxxxx Parties shall be limited to those duties
and obligations specifically stated herein; and (iv) the Underwriters and their respective
affiliates may have interests that differ from those of the Xxxxxxxx Parties. The Xxxxxxxx Parties
hereby waive any claims that the Xxxxxxxx Parties may have against the Underwriters with respect to
any breach of fiduciary duty in connection with this offering..
Section 14. Notices. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and:
(a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile
transmission to Xxxxxx Brothers Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000, Attention: Syndicate Registration (Fax: 000-000-0000), with a copy, in the case of
any notice pursuant to Section 8(c), to the Director of Litigation, Office of the
General Counsel, Xxxxxx Brothers Inc., 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
(Fax: 000-000-0000); and to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., General Counsel (fax no.: (000)
000-0000) and confirmed to the General Counsel, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., at 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: General Counsel; and
(b) if to the Xxxxxxxx Parties, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile
transmission to the address of the Partnership set forth in the Registration Statement,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer (Fax: 000-000-0000);
provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) shall be
delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set
forth in its acceptance telex to the Representatives, which address will be supplied to any other
party hereto by the Representatives upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof. The Xxxxxxxx Parties shall be
entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of
the Underwriters by the Representatives.
Section 15. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Xxxxxxxx Parties and their respective successors. This
Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons,
except that (A) the representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements of the Xxxxxxxx Parties
contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of the directors, officers
and employees of the Underwriters and each person or persons, if any, who control any Underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and (B) the representations, warranties,
indemnities and agreements of the Underwriters contained in Sections 5(b) and 8(b)
of this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of the directors, employees and managers of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, the officers of the Xxxxxxxx Parties who have signed the Registration
Statement and any person controlling the Xxxxxxxx Parties within the
37
meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person,
other than the persons referred to in this Section 15, any legal or equitable right, remedy
or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, all liabilities and obligations of the Xxxxxxxx Parties
hereunder shall be non-recourse against any partner (including any limited partner or general
partner), stockholder, member, officer, director or employee of any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, other
than the Xxxxxxxx Parties in their capacities as such. In that connection, no such partner,
stockholder, member, officer, director or employee shall be bound by this Agreement, or be
obligated by virtue of this Agreement or the obligations of any party created hereunder to (A)
provide funds to any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, whether by contributions to capital, loans, returns
of monies, securities or other property, or (B) assume any liabilities of any of the Xxxxxxxx
Parties.
Section 16. Survival. The respective indemnities, representations, warranties and agreements of
the Xxxxxxxx Parties and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf on
them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the
Units and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of any of them or any person controlling any of them.
Section 17. Definition of the Terms “Business Day” and “Subsidiary”. For purposes of this
Agreement, (a) “business day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday which is
not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close and (b) “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 of the Rules
and Regulations.
Section 18. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and, if
executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an
original but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 20. Headings. The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are
not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
[Signature pages follow.]
38
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Xxxxxxxx Parties and the
Underwriters, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.
Very truly yours, | ||||||
XXXXXXXX PARTNERS GP LLC | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||||
XXXXXXXX PARTNERS L.P. | ||||||
By: | Xxxxxxxx Partners GP LLC, | |||||
its General Partner | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||||
XXXXXXXX PARTNERS OPERATING LLC | ||||||
By: | Xxxxxxxx Partners L.P., | |||||
its managing member | ||||||
By: | Xxxxxxxx Partners GP LLC, | |||||
its General Partner | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement
Accepted: | ||||
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC. | ||||
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. | ||||
For themselves and as Representatives | ||||
of the several Underwriters named | ||||
in Schedule 1 hereto | ||||
By:
|
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC. | |||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Authorized Representative | ||||
By: CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. | ||||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Authorized Representative |
Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement
SCHEDULE 1
Number of Firm Units | ||||
Underwriters | to be Purchased | |||
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. |
1,575,000 | |||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
1,575,000 | |||
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated |
700,000 | |||
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC |
700,000 | |||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co., Incorporated |
612,500 | |||
UBS Securities LLC |
612,500 | |||
X.X. Xxxxxxx & Sons, Inc. |
350,000 | |||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Associates, Inc. |
350,000 | |||
RBC Capital Markets Corporation |
350,000 | |||
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Company, Incorporated |
175,000 | |||
Total |
7,000,000 | |||
Schedule 1-1
SCHEDULE 2
PERSONS DELIVERING LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
The Xxxxxxxx Companies, Inc.
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
The Xxxxxxxx Companies, Inc.
Schedule 2-1
ANNEX I
JURISDICTIONS OF QUALIFICATION
Jurisdiction of | Jurisdictions | |||
Name of Entity | Formation | of Qualification | ||
Xxxxxxxx Partners GP LLC
|
Delaware | Oklahoma | ||
Xxxxxxxx Partners L.P.
|
Delaware | Oklahoma | ||
Xxxxxxxx Partners Operating LLC
|
Delaware | Oklahoma | ||
Xxxxxxxx Four Corners LLC
|
Delaware | New Mexico and Colorado | ||
Xxxxxxxx Field Services Company, LLC
|
Delaware | New Mexico, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming | ||
Xxxxxxxx Field Services Group, LLC
|
Delaware | Oklahoma and Texas | ||
Mid-Continent Fractionation and
Storage, LLC
|
Delaware | Kansas | ||
Carbonate Trend Pipeline LLC
|
Delaware | Louisiana and Alabama | ||
Discovery Producer Services LLC
|
Delaware | Louisiana | ||
Discovery Gas Transmission LLC
|
Delaware | Louisiana | ||
Xxxxxxxx Energy Services, LLC
|
Delaware | Florida, Illinois, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia |
Annex I-1
EXHIBIT A
LOCK-UP LETTER AGREEMENT
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
As Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule 1,
c/x Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
As Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule 1,
c/x Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Dear Sirs:
The undersigned understands that you and certain other firms propose to enter into an
Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) providing for the purchase by you and such
other firms (the “Underwriters”) of common units representing limited partner interests (the
“Common Units”) of Xxxxxxxx Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and
that the Underwriters propose to reoffer the Common Units to the public (the “Offering”).
In consideration of the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by the Underwriters, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees that, without the
prior written consent of Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., on behalf of the
Underwriters, the undersigned will not, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge,
or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be
expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any Common Units
(including, without limitation, Common Units that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the
undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and Common Units that may be issued upon exercise of any option or warrant) or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Units owned by the undersigned on the date of execution
of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement or on the date of the completion of the Offering, or (2) enter
into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any
of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such Common Units, whether any such transaction
described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Units
or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) cause to be filed a registration statement (other
than any registration statement on Form S-8, any registration statement on Form S-4 relating solely
to the exchange of any senior notes of the Partnership or any registration statement on Form S-3
relating solely to the resale of any Common Units (including any Common Units issued upon
conversion of the Class B Units) issued by the Partnership pursuant to that certain Common Unit and
Class B Unit Purchase Agreement dated on or about December 1, 2006 by and among the Partnership and
the purchasers named therein) with respect to the registration of any Common Units or securities
convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Common Units or any other securities of the
Partnership or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing for a period of 90
days after the date of the final Prospectus relating to the Offering (such 90-day period, the
“Lock-Up Period”). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to bona fide gifts, sales or other
dispositions of any Common Units that are made exclusively between and among the undersigned or
members of the undersigned’s family, or affiliates of the undersigned, including its partners (if a
partnership) or members (if a limited liability company); provided that it shall be a condition to
any such transfer that (i) the transferee/donee agrees to be bound by the terms of the lock-up
agreement (including, without limitation, the restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence) to
the same extent as if the transferee/donee were a party hereto, (ii) no filing by any party (donor,
donee,
A-1
transferor or transferee) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with such transfer or
distribution (other than a filing on Form 5, Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G (or 13D/A or 13G/A) made
after the expiration of the 90-day period referred to above), (iii) each party (donor, donee,
transferor or transferee) shall not be required by law (including without limitation the disclosure
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act) to make, and shall
agree to not voluntarily make, any public announcement of the transfer or disposition, and (iv) the
undersigned notifies Xxxxxx Brothers’ Equity Capital Markets at least two business days prior to
the proposed transfer or disposition.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Partnership and its transfer agent are hereby authorized
to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or
breach of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
It is understood that, if the Partnership notifies the Underwriters that it does not intend to
proceed with the Offering, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective, or if the
Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall
terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Units, the undersigned
will be released from its obligations under this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
The undersigned understands that the Partnership and the Underwriters will proceed with the
Offering in reliance on this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
Whether or not the Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market
conditions. Any Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of
which are subject to negotiation among the Partnership and the Underwriters.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and
authority to enter into this Lock-Up Letter Agreement and that, upon request, the undersigned will
execute any additional documents necessary in connection with the enforcement hereof. Any
obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns of the undersigned.
Very truly yours, | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
Dated: , 2006
A-2
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF OPINION OF XXXXXXX XXXXX LLP
(i) The Partnership has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership
under the Delaware LP Act, is duly registered or qualified to do business and is in good standing
as a foreign limited partnership under the laws of the jurisdictions set forth on Annex I
to this Agreement; and the Partnership has all requisite partnership power and authority necessary
to own or hold its properties and assets and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged, as
described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(ii) Each of the General Partner, OLLC and CTP has been duly formed and is validly existing in
good standing as a limited liability company under the Delaware LLC Act, is duly registered or
qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign limited liability company under the
laws of the jurisdictions set forth on Annex I to this Agreement; and each such limited
liability company has all requisite limited liability company power and authority necessary to own
or hold its properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged, in each case as
described in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(iii) Each of DPS and DGT is validly existing in good standing as a limited liability company
under the Delaware LLC Act, is duly registered or qualified to do business and is in good standing
as a foreign limited liability company under the laws of the jurisdictions set forth on Annex
I to this Agreement; and each such limited liability company has all requisite limited
liability company power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the
businesses in which it is engaged, in each case as described in the most recent Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(iv) The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership with an approximate
2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership; such general partner interest has been duly
authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner
owns such general partner interest free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests or
claims (except restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement, as described
in the Prospectus or created or arising under the Delaware LP Act) (A) in respect of which a
financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the General
Partner as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware or (B) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation,
other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act or the Partnership Agreement.
(v) The Sponsor Units, the Incentive Distribution Rights and the limited partner interests
represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership
Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and
non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and
17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and WE, Holdings, XXX, and Xxxxxxxx Pipeline own the Sponsor Units
free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests or claims (except restrictions on
transferability in the Partnership Agreement, as described in the
B-1
Prospectus or those created or arising under the Delaware LP Act) (A) in respect of which a
financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming WE, Holdings,
XXX or Xxxxxxxx Pipeline as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (B) in respect of which a financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Oklahoma naming WE, XXX or Xxxxxxxx Pipeline as debtor
is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Oklahoma UCC Central Filing Office –
Oklahoma County Clerk or (C) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation,
other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act or the Partnership Agreement; and
the General Partner owns the Incentive Distribution Rights free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing statement under the
Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the General Partner as debtor is on file as
of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (B)
otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or
arising under the Delaware LP Act or the Partnership Agreement.
(vi) The Firm Units and the Option Units, if any, to be issued and sold by the Partnership to
the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized and, when issued and
delivered against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement will be validly issued, fully
paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such
non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act);
and other than the Sponsor Units, the Incentive Distribution Rights, the Existing Public Units, the
Privately Placed Units and the Sponsor Class B Units, the Firm Units will be the only limited
partner interests of the Partnership issued and outstanding at the First Delivery Date.
(vii) The Partnership owns a 100% limited liability company interest in OLLC; such limited
liability company interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the OLLC
Agreement and is fully paid (to the extent required under the OLLC Agreement) and non-assessable
(except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC
Act); and the Partnership owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing statement under the
Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Partnership as debtor is on file as of
the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (B)
otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or
arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the OLLC Agreement.
(viii) OLLC owns a 100% limited liability company interest in each of MCFS and CTP; such
limited liability company interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with
the MCFS LLC Agreement and the CTP LLC Agreement, respectively, and are fully paid (to the extent
required under the MCFS LLC Agreement or the CTP LLC Agreement, as applicable) and non-assessable
(except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC
Act); and OLLC owns such limited liability company interests free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing statement under the
Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware
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naming OLLC as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware or (B) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent
investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act, the MCFS LLC
Agreement or the CTP LLC Agreement.
(ix) XXX owns a 100% limited liability company interest in the General Partner; such limited
liability company interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the GP
LLC Agreement, and is fully paid (to the extent required under the GP LLC Agreement) and
non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of
the Delaware LLC Act); and XXX owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of all
liens, encumbrances, security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing statement
under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming XXX as debtor is on file as of
the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (B) in
respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Oklahoma
naming XXX as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Oklahoma UCC
Central Filing Office – Oklahoma County Clerk or (C) otherwise known to such counsel, without
independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the
GP LLC Agreement.
(x) OLLC owns a 40% limited liability company interest in DPS; such limited liability company
interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the DPS LLC Agreement; and
OLLC owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming OLLC as debtor is on file as of the date in such
counsel’s opinion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (B) otherwise known to
such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the
Delaware LLC Act or the DPS LLC Agreement.
(xi) DPS owns a 100% limited liability company interest in DGT; such limited liability company
interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the DGT LLC Agreement; and
DPS owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming DPS as debtor is on file as of the date in such
counsel’s opinion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (except with respect
to the in-lieu financing statement filed on behalf of Credit Lyonais, New York Branch, as
Administrative Agent, on November 21, 2002 with respect to the original financing statements
#26-22072 and #26-220473 filed on January 5, 1998 in Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Louisiana and #98-00111681
filed on June 3, 1998 with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas), (B) in respect of which a
financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Louisiana naming DPS as
debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Statewide Index of the State of
Louisiana or (C) otherwise known to such counsel (except with respect to the financing statements
filed on behalf of Credit Lyonais, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, with the Secretary of
State of the State of Texas on June 3, 1998 and in Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Louisiana on January 5, 1998,
each as noted in (xi)(A) above), without independent investigation, other than those created by or
arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the DGT LLC Agreement.
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(xii) On the First Delivery Date, and after giving effect to the Transactions, OLLC will own a
100% limited liability company interest in Four Corners LLC; such limited liability company
interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Four Corners LLC
Agreement, and is fully paid (to the extent required under the Four Corners LLC Agreement) and
non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of
the Delaware LLC Act), subject to the capital contribution provisions of the Four Corners LLC
Agreement; and OLLC owns such limited liability company interest free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing statement under the
Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming OLLC as debtor is on file as of the date in
such counsel’s opinion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (B) in respect of
which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Oklahoma naming OLLC
as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Oklahoma UCC Central Filing
Office – Oklahoma County Clerk or (C) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent
investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the Four
Corners LLC Agreement.
(xiii) Except as described in the Prospectus or as provided in the Credit Agreement, the
Revolving Credit Agreement, the Private Unit Purchase Agreement, the Private Equity Registration
Rights Agreement or the Organizational Documents, there are no preemptive rights or other rights to
subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of (i) any limited
partner interests in the Partnership, (ii) any limited liability company interests in the General
Partner or OLLC or (iii) any limited liability company interests in any Subsidiary, in each case
pursuant to the Organizational Documents or any other agreement or instrument known to such counsel
to which any of such entities is a party or by which any one of them may be bound. To such
counsel’s knowledge, except as described in the Prospectus or for restricted units granted under
the LTIP, there are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase (A) any Common Units or
Subordinated Units or other interests in the Partnership or (B) any interests in the General
Partner, OLLC or the Subsidiaries.
(xiv) Each of the Operative Agreements to which any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties is a party has
been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Xxxxxxxx
Parties party thereto.
(xv) Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each party thereto (other than
the Xxxxxxxx Parties), each of the Operative Agreements constitutes a valid and binding obligation
of each of the Xxxxxxxx Parties party thereto, enforceable against each such Xxxxxxxx Party in
accordance with its terms, (A) limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer or conveyance or other similar laws relating to or affecting the
rights of creditors generally, (B) subject to the application of general principles of equity
(regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without
limitation, the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other
equitable remedy and concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and (C)
subject to public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and an
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
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(xvi) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on
behalf of each of the Xxxxxxxx Parties party thereto.
(xvii) The offering, issuance and sale by the Partnership of the Units, the execution and
delivery of, or the incurrence or performance by the Xxxxxxxx Entities of their respective
obligations under, each of the Underwriting Agreement and the Operative Agreements to which any of
the Xxxxxxxx Entities is a party, each in accordance with its terms, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Transactions) has not caused, and will
not cause, as applicable, (A) a violation of the Organizational Documents, (B) a breach or
violation of, or a default under (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
constitute such an event), any Operative Agreement to which any of the Xxxxxxxx Parties is a party
or any agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-137562), the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005, the Partnership’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31,
2006, June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006 or any Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the
Partnership since January 1, 2006 or (C) any violation of any applicable law of the United States
of America, the Delaware LP Act and the Delaware LLC Act, excluding in the case of clauses
(B) and (C), any such breaches, violations and defaults that would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(xviii) Except for the registration of the Units under the Securities Act, no Governmental
Approval is required for the execution and delivery by each of the Xxxxxxxx Parties of this
Agreement or any of the Operative Agreements to which it is a party or the incurrence or
performance of its obligations thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby, except for such (A) as have been, or will be prior to each Delivery Date, obtained or
made, (B) as may be required under the Exchange Act and applicable state securities laws in
connection with the purchase and distribution of the Units by the Underwriters, (C) would not have
a Material Adverse Effect if not obtained or made, and (D) as disclosed in the Prospectus. As used
in this paragraph, “Governmental Approval” means any consent, approval, license, authorization or
validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, any executive, legislative, judicial,
administrative or regulatory body of the State of Delaware or the United State of America, pursuant
to (i) the Delaware LP Act, (ii) the Delaware LLC Act and (iii) the applicable laws of the United
States of America.
(xix) The statements contained in the Prospectus under the captions “Risk Factors—Risks
Inherent in Our Business—Discovery’s interstate tariff rates are subject to review and possible
adjustment by federal regulators, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and
operating results. Moreover, because Discovery is a non-corporate entity, it may be disadvantaged
in calculating its cost of service for rate-making purposes,” “Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions,” “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties,” and “Investment in Xxxxxxxx Partners
L.P. by Employee Benefit Plans,” insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions
of documents referred to therein or refer to statements of law or legal conclusions, fairly
summarize the matters referred to therein in all material respects, subject to the qualifications
and assumptions stated therein; and the Common Units, the Subordinated Units, the Class B Units and
the Incentive Distribution Rights conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof
contained in the Prospectus under the captions “Summary—The
B-5
Offering,” “How We Make Cash Distributions,” “Description of the Common Units,” “Description
of Class B Units” and “The Partnership Agreement.”
(xx) The opinion of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx LLP that is filed as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration
Statement is confirmed and the Underwriters may rely upon such opinion as if it were addressed to
them.
(xxi) The Registration Statement was declared effective under the Securities Act as of the
date and time specified in such opinion; the Prospectus was filed with the Commission pursuant to
the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations specified in such opinion on the date
specified therein; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
been issued and, to the knowledge of such counsel, based solely upon oral communications between
such counsel and the Commission, no proceeding for that purpose is pending or threatened by the
Commission.
(xxii) Each of the Registration Statement, on the Effective Date, and the Prospectus, as of
its date (except for the financial statements and related schedules, including the notes and
schedules thereto and the auditor’s reports thereon, and any other related financial, statistical
and accounting data included therein or excluded therefrom, as to which such counsel need express
no opinion), appear on its face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (except that such counsel
expresses no statement or belief as to Regulation S-T).
(xxiii) To the best of such counsel’s knowledge, there are no contracts or other documents
that are required to be described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations and are not so described or filed.
(xxiv) None of the Partnership Entities are, after giving effect to the Transactions and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus,
will be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
In addition, such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other
representatives of the Xxxxxxxx Parties, representatives of the independent registered public
accounting firm of the Partnership and the General Partner and the Underwriters’ representatives,
at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Pricing Disclosure
Package and related matters were discussed, and, although such counsel has not independently
verified and is not passing upon, and does not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
and the Pricing Disclosure Package (except as and to the extent set forth in paragraphs
(xix) and (xx) above), on the basis of the foregoing (relying as to factual matters in
respect of the determination of materiality to the extent such counsel deems reasonable and
appropriate upon the statements of fact made by officers and other representatives of the
Partnership Entities), no facts have come to such counsel’s attention that have led such counsel to
believe that (i) the Registration Statement, at the time it became effective, contained an untrue
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statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) the Prospectus, as of its date
and as of each Delivery Date, contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) the Pricing Disclosure Package,
as of the Applicable Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, it being understood that that such counsel expresses no opinion,
statement or belief in this letter with respect to (i) the historical and pro forma financial
statements and related schedules, including the notes and schedules thereto and the auditors’
reports thereon, (ii) any other related financial, statistical and accounting data included in, or
excluded from, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Pricing Disclosure Package or any
further amendment or supplement thereto and (iii) representations and warranties and other
statements of fact included in the exhibits to the Registration Statement.
Such counsel’s opinion may be limited to matters governed by the applicable laws of the United
States of America, the applicable laws of the States of Texas, the Delaware LP Act and the Delaware
LLC Act. Such counsel need not express any opinion with respect to the title of any of the
Partnership Entities to any of their respective real or personal property or the accuracy of the
descriptions or references in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Prospectus or the Operative Agreements to any real or personal property, and need not express any
opinion with respect to state or local taxes or tax statutes to which any of the limited partners
of the Partnership or any of the Partnership Entities may be subject.
B-7
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF OPINION OF XXXXX X. XXXXXX
(i) Each of MCFS and Four Corners LLC has been duly formed and is validly existing in good
standing as a limited liability company under the Delaware LLC Act, is duly registered or qualified
to do business and is in good standing as a foreign limited liability company under the laws of the
jurisdictions set forth on Annex I to this Agreement; and each such limited liability
company has all requisite limited liability company power and authority necessary to own or hold
its properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged, in each case as described in
the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(ii) WE owns a 20% limited liability company interest in DPS; such limited liability company
interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the DPS LLC Agreement, and
is fully paid (to the extent required under the DPS LLC Agreement) and non-assessable (except as
such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act),
subject to the capital contribution provisions of the DPS LLC Agreement; and WE owns such limited
liability company interest free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests or claims
(A) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of
Delaware naming WE as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware, (B) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code of the State of Oklahoma naming WE as debtor is on file as of the date in such
counsel’s opinion with the Oklahoma UCC Central Filing Office – Oklahoma County Clerk or (C)
otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or
arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the DPS LLC Agreement, and except as provided in the DPS LLC
Agreement.
(iii) Xxxxxxxx directly or indirectly owns a 100% limited liability company interest in each
of XXX, WFS Group and WFS Company; such limited liability company interests have been duly and
validly authorized and issued in accordance with the respective Xxxxxxxx Subsidiary LLC Agreements
and are fully paid (to the extent required under the respective Xxxxxxxx Subsidiary LLC Agreements)
and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804
of the Delaware LLC Act); and Xxxxxxxx owns such limited liability company interests free and clear
of all liens, encumbrances, security interests or claims (A) in respect of which a financing
statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming Xxxxxxxx, XXX or WFS
Group, as applicable, as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (B) in respect of which a financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Oklahoma naming Xxxxxxxx, XXX or WFS Group, as
applicable, as debtor is on file as of the date in such counsel’s opinion with the Oklahoma UCC
Central Filing Office — Oklahoma County Clerk or (C) otherwise known to such counsel, without
independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the
Xxxxxxxx Subsidiary LLC Agreements.
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(iv) Each of the Operative Agreements to which any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities, other than the
Xxxxxxxx Parties, is a party has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by or on
behalf of each of the Xxxxxxxx Entities party thereto.
(v) The offering, issuance and sale by the Partnership of the Units, the execution, delivery
and performance by the Xxxxxxxx Entities of any of the Operative Agreements and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated thereby will not result in: (A) a violation of the certificate of
incorporation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement, limited partnership agreement or
similar organizational document of any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities (other than the Xxxxxxxx Parties),
(B) a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to or by which
any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities (other than the Xxxxxxxx Parties) is bound or to which any of the
property or assets of any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities (other than the Xxxxxxxx Parties), is subject,
or (C) any violation of any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body
having jurisdiction over any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities (other than the Xxxxxxxx Parties) or any of
their properties or assets, except as described in the Prospectus and any such conflicts, breaches,
violations or defaults that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(vi) Except as described in the Prospectus or the Partnership Agreement, there are no
contracts, agreements or understandings between the any of the Xxxxxxxx Entities and any person
granting such person the right to require the Partnership to file a registration statement under
the Securities Act with respect to any equity securities of the Partnership Entities owned or to be
owned by such person or to require the Partnership to include such equity securities in the Units
registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any equity securities being registered
pursuant to any other registration statement filed by any of the Partnership Entities under the
Securities Act.
(vii) To such counsel’s knowledge, other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no
legal or governmental proceedings pending to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or to
which any property or assets of any of the Partnership Entities is the subject which, if determined
adversely to such Partnership Entity, might (A) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, or (B) subject the limited partners of the Partnership to any material liability or
disability; and, to such counsel’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by
governmental authorities or by others.
C-2
EXHIBIT D
PRICING INFORMATION
Issuer:
|
Xxxxxxxx Partners L.P. | |
Symbol:
|
WPZ | |
Units offered:
|
7,000,000 common units | |
Greenshoe:
|
1,050,000 common units | |
Price to public:
|
$38.00 per common unit | |
Gross Proceeds:
|
$266,000,000 | |
Closing date:
|
12/13/06 | |
CUSIP:
|
96950F 10 4 | |
Underwriters:
|
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. | |
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | ||
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated | ||
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC | ||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co., Incorporated | ||
UBS Securities LLC | ||
X.X. Xxxxxxx & Sons, Inc. | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Associates, Inc. | ||
RBC Capital Markets Corporation | ||
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Company, Incorporated |
We have been advised by the underwriters that, prior to purchasing the common units being offered
pursuant to the prospectus supplement, between December 4, 2006 and December 6, 2006, one of the
underwriters purchased, on behalf of the syndicate, 109,000 common units at an average price of
$38.1949 per unit in stabilizing transactions.
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