SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT as Administrative and Collateral Agent THE PURCHASERS From Time to Time Party Hereto and NEW CENTURY ENERGY CORP. Dated: November 30, 2007
Exhibit
10.1
LV
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, INC.,
as
Administrative and Collateral Agent
THE
PURCHASERS
From
Time to Time Party Hereto
and
Dated:
November 30, 2007
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
1.
|
Agreement
to Sell and Purchase
|
1
|
2.
|
Fees
|
1
|
3.
|
Closing,
Delivery and Payment
|
2
|
3.1
Closing
|
2
|
|
3.2
Delivery
|
2
|
|
4.
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Company
|
2
|
4.1
Organization, Good Standing and Qualification
|
2
|
|
4.2
Subsidiaries
|
3
|
|
4.3
Capitalization; Voting Rights
|
3
|
|
4.4
Authorization; Binding Obligations
|
4
|
|
4.5
Liabilities; Solvency
|
4
|
|
4.6
Agreements; Action
|
5
|
|
4.7
Obligations to Related Parties
|
6
|
|
4.8
Changes
|
7
|
|
4.9
Title to Properties and Assets; Liens, Etc
|
8
|
|
4.10
Intellectual Property
|
9
|
|
4.11
Compliance with Other Instruments
|
10
|
|
4.12
Litigation
|
10
|
|
4.13
Tax Returns and Payments
|
10
|
|
4.14
Employees
|
11
|
|
4.15
Voting Rights
|
11
|
|
4.16
Compliance with Laws; Permits
|
11
|
|
4.17
Environmental and Safety Laws
|
12
|
|
4.18
Valid Offering
|
12
|
|
4.19
Full Disclosure
|
13
|
|
4.20
Insurance
|
13
|
|
4.21
Patriot Act
|
13
|
|
4.22
ERISA
|
14
|
|
4.23
Oil and Gas Properties; Titles, Etc
|
14
|
|
4.24
Maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties
|
14
|
|
4.25
Gas Imbalances; Prepayments
|
15
|
|
4.26
Marketing of Production
|
15
|
|
4.27
Swap Agreements
|
15
|
|
5.
|
Representations
and Warranties of each Purchaser
|
15
|
5.1
Requisite Power and Authority
|
15
|
|
5.2
Investment Representations
|
16
|
|
5.3
The Purchaser Bears Economic Risk
|
16
|
|
5.4
Acquisition for Own Account
|
16
|
|
5.5
The Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest
|
16
|
|
5.6
Accredited Investor
|
16
|
|
5.7
Legend
|
16
|
6.
|
Covenants
of the Company
|
17
|
6.1
Reporting Requirements
|
17
|
|
6.2
Use of Funds
|
18
|
|
6.3
Access to Facilities
|
18
|
|
6.4
Taxes
|
18
|
|
6.5
Insurance
|
20
|
|
6.6
Intellectual Property.
|
21
|
|
6.7
Properties
|
21
|
|
6.8
Confidentiality
|
22
|
|
6.9
Required Approvals
|
22
|
|
6.10
Opinion
|
23
|
|
6.11
Margin Stock
|
23
|
|
6.12
FIRPTA
|
24
|
|
6.13
Financing Right of First Refusal
|
24
|
|
6.14
Board Observation Rights
|
24
|
|
6.15
Summaries; Reports
|
25
|
|
6.16
Financial Statements; Other Information
|
25
|
|
6.17
Operation and Maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties
|
26
|
|
6.18
Reserve Reports
|
26
|
|
6.19
Marketing Activities
|
27
|
|
6.20
Sale of Oil and Gas Properties
|
27
|
|
6.21
Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other
Prepayments
|
27
|
|
7.
|
Covenants
of the Purchasers
|
27
|
7.1
Confidentiality
|
27
|
|
7.2
Limitation on Acquisition of Common Stock of the Company
|
28
|
|
8.
|
Covenants
of the Company and the Purchasers Regarding
Indemnification
|
28
|
8.1
Company Indemnification
|
28
|
|
8.2
Purchaser Indemnification
|
28
|
|
9.
|
Miscellaneous
|
29
|
9.1
Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial
|
29
|
|
9.2
Severability
|
30
|
|
9.3
Survival
|
30
|
|
9.4
Successors.
|
30
|
|
9.5
Entire Agreement; Maximum Interest
|
31
|
|
9.6
Amendment and Waiver
|
32
|
|
9.7
Delays or Omissions
|
32
|
|
9.8
Notices
|
32
|
|
9.9
Attorneys’ Fees
|
33
|
|
9.10
Titles and Subtitles
|
33
|
|
9.11
Signatures; Counterparts
|
33
|
|
9.12
Broker’s Fees
|
33
|
|
9.13
Construction
|
34
|
|
9.14
Agency
|
34
|
LIST
OF EXHIBITS
Form
of Term Note
|
Exhibit
A
|
Form
of Opinion
|
Exhibit
B
|
Form
of Escrow Agreement
|
Exhibit
C
|
LIST
OF SCHEDULES
Schedule
1
|
Purchaser
Commitments
|
Schedule
4.2
|
Subsidiaries
|
Schedule
4.3
|
Capitalization
|
Schedule
4.6
|
Extraordinary
Agreements
|
Schedule
4.7
|
Obligations
to Related Parties
|
Schedule
4.9
|
Title
to Properties; Liens
|
Schedule
4.10
|
IP
Registration
|
Schedule
4.12
|
Litigation
|
Schedule
4.13
|
Taxes
|
Schedule
4.14
|
Employees
|
Schedule
4.15
|
Voting
Rights
|
Schedule
6.9(e)
|
Indebtedness
|
Schedule
9.12
|
Brokers
|
THIS
SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into
as of November 30, 2007, among New Century Energy Corp., a Colorado corporation
(the “Company”), the purchasers from time to time a party hereto (each a
“Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”), LV Administrative
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as administrative and collateral agent
for each Purchaser, (the “Agent” and together with the Purchasers, the
“Creditor Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the Company has authorized the sale to each Purchaser of a Secured Term Note
in
the form of Exhibit A hereto in the principal amount set forth opposite
such Purchaser’s name on Schedule 1 hereto (each as amended, restated,
modified and/or supplemented from time to time, a “Note” and,
collectively, the “Notes”);
WHEREAS,
each Purchaser desires to purchase the applicable Note on the terms and
conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to issue and sell the applicable Note to each Purchaser
on
the terms and conditions set forth herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises,
representations, warranties and covenants hereinafter set forth and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Agreement
to Sell and Purchase Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3), the Company shall
sell
to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, the
applicable Note. The sale of the Notes on the Closing Date shall be
known as the “Offering.” The Notes will mature on the Maturity
Date (as defined in the Note).
2. Fees. On
the Closing Date:
(a) Subject
to the terms of Section 2(b) below, the Company shall pay (i) to Valens Capital
Management, LLC, the investment manager of the Purchasers (“VCM”), a
non-refundable payment in an amount equal to one and one-half percent (1.50%)
of
the aggregate principal amount of the Notes,
plus reasonable expenses (including legal fees and
expenses) incurred in connection with the entering into of this Agreement and
the Related Agreements, plus expenses incurred in connection with each of VCM
and/or Purchasers’ due diligence review of the Company and its Subsidiaries and
all other related matters; (ii) to the Purchasers, a non-refundable payment
in
an amount equal to one percent (1.00%) of the aggregate principal amount of
the
Notes; and (iii) to the Purchasers, an advance prepayment discount deposit
equal to one percent (1.00%)
of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. Each of the foregoing
payments in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be deemed fully earned on the Closing
Date and shall not be subject to rebate or proration for any
reason.
-1-
(b) The
payments and the expenses referred to in the preceding clause (b) (net of
deposits previously paid by the Company) shall be paid at closing out of funds
held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement (as defined below) and a disbursement
letter (the “Disbursement Letter”).
3. Closing,
Delivery and Payment
3.1 Closing Subject
to the terms and conditions herein, the closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby (the “Closing”), shall take place on the date hereof, at such time
or place as the Company and the Agent may mutually agree (such date is
hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”).
3.2 Delivery. Pursuant
to the Escrow Agreement, at the Closing on the Closing Date, the Company will
deliver to each Purchaser, among other things, the applicable Note and such
Purchaser will deliver to the Company, among other things, the amounts set
forth
opposite its name in the Disbursement Letter by certified funds or wire
transfer. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that each Purchaser’s
obligation to purchase the applicable Note from the Company on the Closing
Date
shall be contingent upon the satisfaction (or waiver by the Agent in its sole
discretion) of the items and matters set forth in the closing checklist provided
by the Agent to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.
4. Representations
and Warranties of the Company The Company hereby represents and
warrants to each Creditor Party as follows:
4.1 Organization,
Good Standing and Qualification. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as
the
case may be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization. The Company, and each of
its Subsidiaries has the corporate, limited liability company or partnership,
as
the case may be, power and authority to own and operate its properties and
assets and, insofar as it is or shall be a party thereto, to (1) execute and
deliver (i) this Agreement; (ii) the Notes to be issued in connection
with this Agreement; (iii) the Master Security Agreement dated as of the
date hereof among the Company, Gulf Coast Oil Corporation (“Gulf Coast”)
and Century Resources, Inc. (“CRI”) (as amended, restated, modified
and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Master Security Agreement”);
(iv) the Guaranty dated as of the date hereof made by Gulf Coast (as
amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the
“Subsidiary Guaranty”); (v) the Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of
the date hereof between the Company and the Agent (as amended, restated,
modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Stock Pledge
Agreement”); (vi) the Net Profits Interest Agreement and the Conveyance
of Net Profits Overriding Royalty Interest related thereto, each dated as of
the
date hereof and each made by the Company and CRI in favor of the Purchasers
(as
each is amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time,
collectively, the “Net Profits Interest Agreements”); (vii) the
Restricted Account Agreement with North Fork Bank
and
the Letter Agreement regarding Restricted Account Agreement Mechanics dated
as
of the date hereof between the Company and the Agent (as each is amended,
restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, collectively, the
“Restricted Account Agreement”); (viii) the Ratification and
Amendment of Mortgage, Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Financing Statement
and Assignment of Production dated as of the date hereof made by the Company
and
CRI in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Purchasers (as amended,
restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Mortgage
Amendment”); (ix) the Ratification and Amendment of Mortgage, Deed of
Trust, Security Agreement, Financing Statement and Assignment of Production
dated as of the date hereof made by Gulf Coast in favor of the Agent for the
benefit of the Purchasers (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented
from time to time, the “Subsidiary Mortgage Amendment”); (x) the
Funds Escrow Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the
Purchasers and the escrow agent referred to therein, substantially in the form
of Exhibit C hereto (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented
from time to time, the “Escrow Agreement”); and (xi) all other
documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (the preceding clauses (ii) through
(xi), collectively, the “Related Agreements”); (2) issue and sell
the Notes; and (3) carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the
Related Agreements and to carry on its business as presently
conducted. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified
and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be,
in
all jurisdictions in which the nature or location of its activities and of
its
properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except
for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so has not, or could not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material
adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or
otherwise), properties, operations or prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken individually and as a whole (a “Material Adverse
Effect”).
-2-
4.2 Subsidiaries Each
direct and indirect Subsidiary of the Company, the direct owner of such
Subsidiary and its percentage ownership thereof, is set forth on Schedule
4.2. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Subsidiary” of
any person or entity means (i) a corporation or other entity whose shares of
stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than
stock or other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the
happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the directors of such
corporation, or other persons or entities performing similar functions for
such
person or entity, are owned, directly or indirectly, by such person or entity
or
(ii) a corporation or other entity in which such person or entity owns, directly
or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests at such time.
4.3 Capitalization;
Voting Rights
(a) The
authorized capital stock of the Company, as of the date hereof consists of
220,000,000 shares, of which 200,000,000 are shares of Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, 56,010,612 shares of which are issued and outstanding as
of
the date hereof, and 20,000,000 are shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001
per share. The Company has 5,000 shares of Series A convertible
preferred stock designated and 0 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock
issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, which can vote in the aggregate
an
amount equal to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s
Common Stock, and 2,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock
designated and 0 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock issued and
outstanding. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of
each Subsidiary of the Company is set forth on Schedule
4.3.
-3-
(b) Except
as disclosed on Schedule 4.3, other than: (i) the shares
reserved for issuance under the Company’s stock option plans; and (ii) the
warrants issued in favor of Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (“Laurus”), there
are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive
rights and rights of first refusal), proxy or stockholder agreements, or
arrangements or agreements of any kind for the purchase or acquisition from
the
Company of any of its securities.
(c) All
issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock: (i) have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;
and (ii) were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws
concerning the issuance of securities.
(d) The
rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares of the Company’s
common stock are as stated in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (the
“Charter”).
4.4 Authorization;
Binding Obligations All corporate, partnership or limited
liability company, as the case may be, action on the part of the Company and
each of its Subsidiaries (including their respective officers and directors)
necessary for the authorization of this Agreement and the Related Agreements,
the performance of all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries hereunder
and under the other Related Agreements at the Closing and the authorization,
sale, issuance and delivery of the Notes has been taken or will be taken prior
to the Closing. This Agreement and the Related Agreements, when
executed and delivered by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries party
thereto, will be valid and binding obligations of each such person or entity,
enforceable against each such person or entity in accordance with their terms,
except:
(a) as
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights;
and
(b) general
principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable or legal
remedies.
The
sale
of the Notes are not and will not be subject to any preemptive rights or rights
of first refusal that have not been properly waived or complied
with.
4.5 Liabilities;
Solvency.
(a) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities, except current
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business.
-4-
(b) Both
before and after giving effect to (a) the transactions contemplated hereby
that
are to be consummated on the Closing Date, (b) the disbursement of the proceeds
of, or the assumption of the liability in respect of, the Notes pursuant to
the
instructions or agreement of the Company and (c) the payment and accrual of
all
transaction costs in connection with the foregoing, the Company is and will
be
Solvent. For purposes of this Section 4.5(b), “Solvent” means,
with respect to any Person (as hereinafter defined) on a particular date, that
on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than
the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such
Person; (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is
not
less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of
such
Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person does
not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities
beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and
(d) such Person is not engaged in a business or transaction, and is not about
to
engage in a business or transaction, for which such Person’s property would
constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent
liabilities (such as litigation, guaranties and pension plan liabilities) at
any
time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and
circumstances existing at the time, represents the amount that can reasonably
be
expected to become an actual or matured liability.
4.6 Agreements;
Action. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6:
(a) there
are no agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts, proposed
transactions, judgments, orders, writs or decrees to which the Company or any
of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound which may involve: (i)
obligations (contingent or otherwise) of, or payments to, the Company or any
of
its Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000 (other than obligations of, or payments
to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising from purchase or sale
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business); or (ii) the
transfer or license of any patent, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary
right to or from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than licenses
arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or other standard products); or
(iii) provisions restricting the development, manufacture or distribution
of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries products or services; or
(iv) indemnification by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect
to infringements of proprietary rights.
(b) since
December 31, 2006 (the “Balance Sheet Date”), neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries has: (i) declared or paid any dividends, or
authorized or made any distribution upon or with respect to any class or series
of its capital stock; (ii) incurred any indebtedness for money borrowed or
any other liabilities (other than ordinary course obligations) individually
in
excess of $50,000 or, in the case of indebtedness and/or liabilities
individually less than $50,000, in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate;
(iii) made any loans or advances to any person or entity not in excess,
individually or in the aggregate, of $100,000, other than ordinary course
advances for travel expenses; or (iv) sold, exchanged or otherwise disposed
of any of its assets or rights, other than the sale of its inventory in the
ordinary course of business.
(c) for
the purposes of subsections (a) and (b) above, all indebtedness, liabilities,
agreements, understandings, instruments, contracts and proposed transactions
involving the same person or entity (including persons or entities the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company has reason to believe are affiliated therewith)
shall be aggregated for the purpose of meeting the individual minimum dollar
amounts of such subsections.
-5-
(d) the
Company makes and keeps books, records, and accounts, that, in reasonable
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of
the
Company’s assets. The Company maintains internal control over
financial reporting (“Financial Reporting Controls”) designed by, or
under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal
financial officers, and effected by the Company’s board of directors,
management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (“GAAP”), including that:
(i) transactions
are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorization;
(ii) unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a
material effect on the financial statements are prevented or timely
detected;
(iii) transactions
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with GAAP, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being
made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and
board of directors;
(iv) transactions
are recorded as necessary to maintain accountability for assets;
and
(v) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals, and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.
4.7 Obligations
to Related Parties. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.7, there are no obligations of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to officers, directors, stockholders or employees of the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries other than:
(a) for
payment of salary for services rendered and for bonus payments;
(b) reimbursement
for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and its
Subsidiaries;
-6-
(c) for
other standard employee benefits made generally available to all employees
(including stock option agreements outstanding under any stock option plan
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and each Subsidiary of the
Company, as applicable); and
(d) obligations
listed in the Company’s and each of its Subsidiary’s financial
statements.
Except
as
described above or set forth on Schedule 4.7, none of the officers,
directors or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, key employees or
stockholders of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any members of their
immediate families, are indebted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $50,000 or have any direct or
indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation with which the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries is affiliated or with which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation which
competes with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than passive
investments in publicly traded companies (representing less than one percent
(1%) of such company) which may compete with the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. Except as described above, no officer, director,
stockholder or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any member
of their immediate families, is, directly or indirectly, interested in any
material contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and no agreements,
understandings or proposed transactions are contemplated between the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries and any such person. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.7, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
guarantor or indemnitor of any indebtedness of any other person or
entity.
4.8 Changes Since
the Balance Sheet Date, except as disclosed in any Schedule to this Agreement
or
to any of the Related Agreements, there has not been:
(a) any
change in the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise),
properties, operations or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
which individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect;
(b) any
resignation or termination of any officer, key employee or group of employees
of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) any
material change, except in the ordinary course of business, in the contingent
obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by way of guaranty,
endorsement, indemnity, warranty or otherwise;
(d) any
damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, which has
had,
or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a
Material Adverse Effect;
(e) any
waiver by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a valuable right or of
a
material debt owed to it;
-7-
(f) any
direct or indirect loans made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
any
stockholder, employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, other than advances made in the ordinary course of
business;
(g) any
material change in any compensation arrangement or agreement with any employee,
officer, director or stockholder of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(h) any
declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution of the assets
of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(i) any
labor organization activity related to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(j) any
debt, obligation or liability incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries, except those for immaterial amounts and for current
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(k) any
sale, assignment, transfer, abandonment or other disposition of any patents,
trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets owned by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(l) any
change in any material agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party or by which either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound
which either individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably
be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect;
(m) any
other event or condition of any character that, either individually or in the
aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or
in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; or
(n) any
arrangement or commitment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to do any
of
the acts described in subsection (a) through (m) above.
4.9 Title
to Properties and Assets; Liens, Etc Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.9, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and
marketable title to its properties and assets, and good title to its leasehold
interests, in each case subject to no mortgage, pledge, lien, lease, encumbrance
or charge (each for the foregoing, a “Lien”) , other than the following
(each a “Permitted Encumbrance”):
(a) those
in favor of the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor
Parties;
(b) those
in favor of Laurus, its assignees and/or any of its or their collateral
agents;
-8-
(c) those
resulting from taxes which have not yet become delinquent;
(d) minor
Liens which do not materially detract from the value of the property subject
thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, so long as in each such case, such Liens have no effect on the
Lien priority of the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties,
in
such property; and
(e) those
that have otherwise arisen in the ordinary course of business, so long as they
have no effect on the Lien priority of the Purchaser therein.
All
facilities, machinery, equipment, fixtures, vehicles and other properties owned,
leased or used by the Company and its Subsidiaries are in good operating
condition and repair and are reasonably fit and usable for the purposes for
which they are being used. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.9, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance
with all material terms of each lease to which it is a party or is otherwise
bound.
4.10 Intellectual
Property
(a) The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses sufficient legal rights
to use all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, trade
secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary rights and processes
necessary for its business as now conducted and, to the Company’s knowledge, as
presently proposed to be conducted (the “Intellectual
Property”). There are no settlements or consents, covenants not
to xxx, non-assertion assurances, or releases to which the Company or any of
its
Subsidiaries is bound which adversely affects its rights to own or use any
Intellectual Property.
(b) To
the Company’s knowledge, the conduct of the Company’s and each of its
Subsidiaries’ business as now conducted, and as presently proposed to be
conducted, does not (and will not) result in any infringement or other violation
of the rights of others.
(c) Schedule 4.10
(as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth
a
true and complete list of (i) all registrations and applications for
Intellectual Property owned by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries filed
or
issued by any Intellectual Property registry and (ii) all Intellectual
Property licenses which are either material to the business of the Company
or
relate to any material portion of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’
inventory, including licenses for standard software having a replacement value
of more than $50,000. None of such Intellectual Property licenses are
reasonably likely to be construed as an assignment of the licensed Intellectual
Property to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(d) There
are no claims pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened and
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any other
communications, alleging that, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has
infringed, diluted, misappropriated, or otherwise violated any Intellectual
Property of any other
person or entity, nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries aware of any
basis therefor.
-9-
(e) The
Company is not aware of any infringement diluted, misappropriated, or other
violation of its Intellectual Property by any other person or
entity.
(f) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries utilizes any inventions, trade secrets
or other Intellectual Property of any of its employees, officers, or
contractors) except for inventions, trade secrets or other Intellectual Property
that is owned by the Company or any Subsidiary as a matter of law or have been
rightfully assigned to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
4.11 Compliance
with Other Instruments Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in violation or default of (x) any term of its Charter or
bylaws or (y) any provision of any indebtedness, mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement or instrument to which it is party or by which it is bound
or of any judgment, decree, order or writ, which violation or default, in the
case of this clause (y), has had, or could reasonably be expected to have,
either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of and compliance
with this Agreement and the Related Agreements to which it is a party, and
the
issuance and sale of the Notes by the Company pursuant hereto and thereto,
will
not, with or without the passage of time or giving of notice, result in any
such
material violation, or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any
such term or provision, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the
suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or non-renewal of any permit,
license, authorization or approval applicable to the Company, its business
or
operations or any of its assets or properties.
4.12 Litigation Except
as set forth on Schedule 4.12 hereto, there is no action, suit,
proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, currently
threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that prevents the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries from entering into this Agreement or the
other Related Agreements, or from consummating the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, or which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have,
either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or any change
in the current equity ownership of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
nor
is the Company aware that there is any basis to assert any of the
foregoing. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
to or subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or
decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality. There is
no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries currently pending or which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
intends to initiate.
4.13 Tax
Returns and Payments The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has
timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed
by
it. All taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns, any
assessments imposed, and all other taxes due and payable by the Company or
any
of its Subsidiaries on or before the Closing, have been paid or will
be
paid prior to the time they become delinquent. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.13, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been
advised:
(a) that
any of its returns, federal, state or other, have been or are being audited
as
of the date hereof; or
(b) of
any adjustment, deficiency, assessment or court decision in respect of its
federal, state or other taxes.
-10-
The
Company has no knowledge of any liability for any tax to be imposed upon its
properties or assets as of the date of this Agreement that is not adequately
provided for.
4.14 Employees. Except
as set forth on Schedule 4.14, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any collective bargaining agreements with any of its
employees. There is no labor union organizing activity pending or, to
the Company’s knowledge, threatened with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.14, neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any currently
effective employment contract, deferred compensation arrangement, bonus plan,
incentive plan, profit sharing plan, retirement agreement or other employee
compensation plan or agreement. To the Company’s knowledge, no
employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any consultant with
whom
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has contracted, is in violation of any
term of any employment contract, proprietary information agreement or any other
agreement relating to the right of any such individual to be employed by, or
to
contract with, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries because of the nature
of
the business to be conducted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and
to
the Company’s knowledge the continued employment by the Company and its
Subsidiaries of their present employees, and the performance of the Company’s
and its Subsidiaries’ contracts with its independent contractors, will not
result in any such violation. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is aware that any of its employees is obligated under any contract
(including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement,
or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative
agency that would interfere with their duties to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notice alleging that any such violation has
occurred. Except for employees who have a current effective
employment agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, no employee
of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been granted the right to continued
employment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to any material
compensation following termination of employment with the Company or any of
its
Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, the
Company is not aware that any officer, key employee or group of employees
intends to terminate his, her or their employment with the Company or any of
its
Subsidiaries, nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have a present
intention to terminate the employment of any officer, key employee or group
of
employees.
4.15 Voting
Rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15, to the
Company’s knowledge, no stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
has entered into any agreement with respect to the voting of equity securities
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
4.16 Compliance
with Laws; Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of
2002,
as amended, or any other applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or
restriction of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or
agency thereof in respect of the conduct of its business or the ownership of
its
properties which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No
governmental orders, permissions, consents, approvals or authorizations are
required to be obtained and no registrations or declarations are required to
be
filed in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any
other Related Agreement and the issuance of any of the Notes, except such as
have been duly and validly obtained or filed, or with respect to any filings
that must be made after the Closing, as will be filed in a timely
manner. The Company and its Subsidiaries, or to the extent
applicable, the operator(s), have all material franchises, permits, licenses
and
any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business as now being
conducted by it, the lack of which could, either individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
-11-
4.17 Environmental
and Safety Laws. There are no pending actions, suits or
proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending,
or to
the knowledge of Company threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries under Environmental Law. The Company and its
Subsidiaries (i) are and have been in full compliance with Environmental Law
and
have no knowledge or any material expenditure that will be required to maintain
such compliance in the future; (ii) have not received any notice or claim
alleging that they are not in full compliance with or otherwise have liability
under Environmental Law; and (iii) have no knowledge of any facts or
circumstances that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any such
claim. No Hazardous Materials are present or are used or have been
used, stored, or released by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or to their
knowledge by any other Person, at any property currently or formerly owned,
leased or operated by the Company or its Subsidiaries or disposed of at any
other location by the Company or its Subsidiaries except (i) in compliance
with
Environmental Law; and (2) in quantities and under circumstances that would
not
require investigation or remediation by the Company or their its
Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries have not assumed by
contract or by operation of law the liabilities arising under Environmental
Law
of any other Person. The Company and its Subsidiaries have provided
to the Agent all material reports, audits and assessments in their possession
or
control regarding the environmental condition of any property currently or
formerly owned or operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. “Environmental Law” means all laws, rules,
regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices
or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental
Authority, relating in any way to pollution or the environment , preservation
or
reclamation of natural resources, the management, generation, use, handling,
treatment, transportation, storage, disposal or release or threatened release
of
or exposure to Hazardous Materials, or occupational health and
safety. “Governmental Authority” means any nation or
government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any agency,
department or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to
government. “Hazardous Materials” means materials, wastes or
pollutants listed or defined as “hazardous substances”, “hazardous wastes”
,”toxic substances” or by words of similar import or any other substance or
waste otherwise regulated by applicable Environmental Law, including nuclear
materials and radioactive substances or wastes, petroleum or
petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials,
polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes, and toxic
mold. “Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship,
partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated
organization, association, corporation, limited liability company, institution,
public benefit corporation, entity or government (whether federal, state,
county, city, municipal or otherwise, including any instrumentality, division,
agency, body or department thereof), and shall include such Person’s successors
and assigns.
4.18 Valid
Offering Assuming the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of the Purchasers contained in this Agreement, the offer, sale and
issuance of the Notes will be exempt from the registration requirements of
the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and will have
been registered or qualified (or are exempt from registration and qualification)
under the registration, permit or qualification requirements of all applicable
state securities laws.
-12-
4.19 Full
Disclosure. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has provided
the Purchasers with all information requested by the Purchasers in connection
with the Purchasers’ decision to purchase the Notes, including all information
the Company and its Subsidiaries believe is reasonably necessary to make such
investment decision. Neither this Agreement, the Related Agreements,
the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto nor any other document including,
without limitation, the responses contained in any questionnaire provided to
the
Company by the Agent, delivered by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
Purchasers or their attorneys or agents in connection herewith or therewith
or
with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact nor omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. Any financial
projections and other estimates provided to the Purchasers by the Company or
any
of its Subsidiaries were based on the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ experience
in the industry and on assumptions of fact and opinion as to future events
which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, at the date of the issuance of such
projections or estimates, believed to be reasonable.
4.20 Insurance. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries has general commercial, product liability,
fire and casualty insurance policies with coverages which the Company and each
of its Subsidiaries believe are customary for companies similarly situated
to
the Company and its Subsidiaries in the same or similar business.
4.21 Patriot
Act. The Company certifies that, to the best of Company’s
knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been designated,
nor is or shall be owned or controlled, by a “suspected terrorist” as defined in
Executive Order 13224. The Company hereby acknowledges that each of
the Creditor Parties seeks to comply with all applicable laws concerning money
laundering and related activities. In furtherance of those efforts,
the Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants that: (i) none
of the cash or property that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will pay
or
will contribute to any Creditor Party has been or shall be derived from, or
related to, any activity that is deemed criminal under United States law; and
(ii) no contribution or payment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
any
Creditor Party, to the extent that they are within the Company’s and/or its
Subsidiaries’ control,
shall cause any Creditor Party to be in violation of the United States Bank
Secrecy Act, the United States International Money Laundering Control Act of
1986, as amended, or the United States International Money Laundering Abatement
and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001. The Company shall promptly
notify the Agent if any of these representations, warranties or covenants ceases
to be true and accurate regarding the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. The Company shall provide any Creditor Party all
additional information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that
such Creditor Party deems necessary or convenient to ensure compliance with
all
applicable laws concerning money laundering and similar
activities. The Company understands and agrees that if at any time it
is discovered that any of the foregoing representations, warranties or covenants
are incorrect, or if otherwise required by applicable law or regulation related
to money laundering or similar activities, the Creditor Parties may undertake
appropriate actions to ensure compliance with applicable law or regulation,
including but not limited to segregation and/or redemption of any Purchaser’s
investment in the Company. The Company further understands that the
Creditor Parties may release confidential information about the Company and
its
Subsidiaries and, if applicable, any underlying beneficial owners, to proper
authorities if such Creditor Party, in its sole discretion, determines that
it
is in the best interests of such Creditor Party in light of relevant rules
and
regulations under the laws set forth in subsection (ii)
above.
-13-
4.22 ERISA. Based
upon the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”), and the regulations and published interpretations
thereunder: (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
engaged in any Prohibited Transactions (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA
and
Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”)); (ii) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has met all
applicable minimum funding requirements under Section 302 of ERISA in respect
of
its plans; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
knowledge of any event or occurrence which would cause the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to
terminate any employee benefit plan(s); (iv) neither the Company nor any of
its
Subsidiaries has any fiduciary responsibility for investments with respect
to
any plan existing for the benefit of persons other than the Company’s or such
Subsidiary’s employees; and (v) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has withdrawn, completely or partially, from any multi-employer pension plan
so
as to incur liability under the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of
1980.
4.23 Oil
and Gas Properties; Titles, Etc The Company has good and
defensible title to the working interests and net revenue interests in its
oil
and gas leases, oil and gas fee properties, and related properties (the “Oil
and Gas Properties”) evaluated in the most recent reserve report delivered
to the Agent free and clear of all liens except liens permitted by Section
4.9. The Company owns the net interests in production attributable to
the Oil and Gas Properties as reflected in such reserve report, and the
ownership of such Oil and Gas Properties shall not obligate the Company to
bear
the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations
of any Oil and Gas Property in an amount in excess of the working interests
of
the Oil and Gas Properties set forth in such reserve report that is not offset
by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Company’s net revenue interest
in the Oil and Gas Properties.
4.24 Maintenance
of Oil and Gas Properties The Oil and Gas Properties of the
Company have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike
manner and in conformity in all material respects with all governmental
requirements and in conformity in all material respects with the provisions
of
all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Oil and
Gas
Properties and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and
Gas
Properties of the Company. Specifically in connection with the
foregoing, (i) no Oil and Gas Property of the Company is subject to having
allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including
the
maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or
not the
same was permissible at the time) and (ii) none of the xxxxx comprising a
part
of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company is deviated from the vertical
more
than the maximum permitted by governmental requirements, and such xxxxx are,
in
fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly
within, the Oil and Gas Properties of Company. All pipelines, xxxxx,
gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures
and
equipment owned in whole or in part by the Company that are necessary to
conduct
normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal
operations and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by
the
Company, in a manner consistent with the Company’s past
practices.
-14-
4.25 Gas
Imbalances; Prepayments. On a net basis there are no gas
imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments which would require the Company
to
deliver hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties at some future
time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.
4.26 Marketing
of Production The Company is receiving a price for all production
sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms
of
the relevant contract and is not having deliveries curtailed substantially
below
the subject Oil and Gas Property’s delivery capacity), no material agreements
exist which are not cancelable on sixty (60) days notice or less without penalty
or detriment for the sale of production from the Company’s hydrocarbons
(including, without limitation, calls on, or other rights to purchase,
production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (a)
pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (b) have a maturity
or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the date
hereof.
4.27 Swap
Agreements The Company is not party to any Swap
Agreement. For the purposes hereof, “Swap Agreement” shall
mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative
transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded,
“over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or
more interest rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or
securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic,
financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination
of these transactions.
5. Representations
and Warranties of each Purchaser. Each Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants, severally and not jointly, to the Company as follows
(such representations and warranties do not lessen or obviate the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this
Agreement):
5.1 Requisite
Power and Authority Such Purchaser has all necessary power and
authority under all applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the Related Agreements and to carry out their
provisions. All corporate action on such Purchaser’s part required
for the lawful execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related
Agreements have been or will be effectively taken prior to the
Closing. Upon their execution and delivery, this Agreement and the
Related Agreements will be valid and binding obligations of such Purchaser,
enforceable in accordance with their terms, except:
(a) as
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or
other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights;
and
(b) as
limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of
equitable and legal remedies.
-15-
5.2 Investment
Representations. Such Purchaser understands that the Notes are
being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration contained
in
the Securities Act based in part upon such Purchaser’s representations contained
in this Agreement, including, without limitation, that such Purchaser is an
“accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D under the
Securities Act. Such Purchaser confirms that it has received or has
had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate
to
make an informed investment decision with respect to the applicable Note to
be
purchased by it under this Agreement. Such Purchaser further confirms
that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the
Company regarding the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, management and
financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the Offering and the Notes
and
to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such
information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense)
necessary to verify any information furnished to such Purchaser or to which
such
Purchaser had access.
5.3 The
Purchaser Bears Economic Risk Such Purchaser has substantial
experience in evaluating and investing in private placement transactions of
securities in companies similar to the Company so that it is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the
capacity to protect its own interests.
5.4 Acquisition
for Own Account. Such Purchaser is acquiring the applicable Note
for such Purchaser’s own account for investment only, and not as a nominee or
agent and not with a view towards or for resale in connection with their
distribution.
5.5 The
Purchaser Can Protect Its Interest. Such Purchaser represents
that by reason of its, or of its management’s, business and financial
experience, such Purchaser has the capacity to evaluate the merits and risks
of
its investment in the applicable Note and to protect its own interests in
connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Related
Agreements. Further, such Purchaser is aware of no publication of any
advertisement in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Agreement
or the Related Agreements.
5.6 Accredited
Investor. Such Purchaser represents that it is an accredited
investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities
Act.
5.7 Legend. The
applicable Note shall bear substantially the following legend:
“THIS
NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
OR
ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD,
OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THIS NOTE UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS OR (B) AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.”
-16-
6. Covenants
of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with each
Creditor Party as follows:
6.1 Reporting
Requirements. The Company will deliver, or cause to be delivered,
to the Agent each of the following, which shall be in form and detail acceptable
to the Agent:
(a) As
soon as available, and in any event within one hundred five (105) days after
the
end of each fiscal year of the Company, the Company’s and each of its
Subsidiaries’ audited financial statements with a report of independent
certified public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Company
and
acceptable to the Agent (the “Accountants”), which annual financial
statements shall be without qualification and shall include the Company’s and
each of its Subsidiaries’ balance sheet as at the end of such fiscal year and
the related statements of the Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ income,
retained earnings and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, prepared on
a
consolidating and consolidated basis to include the Company, each Subsidiary
of
the Company, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP,
together with (i) if and when available, copies of any management letters
prepared by the Accountants; and (ii) a certificate of the Company’s President,
Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer stating that such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and whether or not such
officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default (as
defined in each Note) and, if so, stating in reasonable detail the facts with
respect thereto;
(b) As
soon as available and in any event within fifty (50) days after the end of
each
fiscal quarter of the Company, an unaudited/internal balance sheet and
statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Company and each
of its Subsidiaries as at the end of and for such quarter and for the year
to
date period then ended, prepared on a consolidating and consolidated basis
to
include the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company, in reasonable detail
and
stating in comparative form the figures for the corresponding date and periods
in the previous year, all prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end
adjustments and accompanied by a certificate of the Company’s President, Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, stating (i) that such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP,
subject to year-end audit adjustments, and (ii) whether or not such officer
has
knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in each Note)
not theretofore reported and remedied and, if so, stating in reasonable detail
the facts with respect thereto;
(c) As
soon as available and in any event within twenty (20) days after the end
of each
calendar month, an unaudited/internal balance sheet of the Company and each
of
its Subsidiaries, as at the end of such month, prepared, on a consolidating
and
consolidated basis to include the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, in
reasonable detail and stating in comparative form the figures for the
corresponding date and periods in the previous year, all prepared in accordance
with GAAP, subject to year-end adjustments; and
(d) The
Company shall deliver, or cause the applicable Subsidiary of the Company
to
deliver, such other information as any Creditor Party shall reasonably
request.
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6.2 Use
of Funds. The Company shall use the proceeds of the sale of the
Notes solely for general working capital purposes.
6.3 Access
to Facilities. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries will
permit any representatives designated by the Agent (or any successor of the
Agent), upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, at such
person’s expense and accompanied by a representative of the Company or any
Subsidiary (provided that no such prior notice shall be required to be given
and
no such representative of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be required to
accompany the Agent in the event the Agent believes such access is necessary
to
preserve or protect the Collateral (as defined in the Master Security Agreement)
or following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default
(as defined in each Note)), to:
(a) visit
and inspect any of the properties of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(b) examine
the corporate and financial records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(unless such examination is not permitted by federal, state or local law or
by
contract) and make copies thereof or extracts therefrom; and
(c) discuss
the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
with the directors, officers and independent accountants of the Company or
any
of its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will provide
any
material, non-public information to any Creditor Party unless such Creditor
Party signs a confidentiality agreement and otherwise complies with Regulation
FD, under the federal securities laws.
6.4 Taxes.
(a) The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries will promptly pay and discharge, or cause
to be paid and discharged, when due and payable, all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon the income, profits, property or
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any such
tax, assessment, charge or levy need not be paid currently if (i) the
validity thereof shall currently and diligently be contested in good faith
by
appropriate proceedings, (ii) such tax, assessment, charge or levy shall
have no effect on the lien priority of the Agent in any property of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) if the Company and/or such Subsidiary
shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in
accordance with GAAP; and provided, further, that the Company and its
Subsidiaries will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges or levies forthwith
upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any lien which may have
attached as security therefor.
-18-
(b) All
payments made by the Company under this Agreement or any Note shall be made
free
and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any
present or future Taxes (as defined below) now or hereafter imposed, levied,
collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, other than
Excluded Taxes (as defined below). If any Non-Excluded Taxes (as
defined below) or Other Taxes (as defined below) are required to be withheld
from any amounts payable to any Creditor Party under this Agreement or any
Note,
the amounts so payable to such Creditor Party shall be increased to the extent
necessary to yield to such Creditor Party (after payment of all Non-Excluded
Taxes and Other Taxes, including those imposed on payments made pursuant to
this
paragraph (b) of this Section 6.4 or any such other amounts payable in this
Agreement or any Note at the rates or in the amounts specified herein or
therein), an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such
withholding or deductions been made provided, however, that no Company shall
be
required to increase any such amounts payable to any Creditor Party with respect
to any Non-Excluded Taxes that are directly attributable to such Creditor
Party’s failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (e) of this
Section 6.4.
(c) In
addition, the Company shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental
Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(d) Whenever
any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Company, as promptly
as
possible thereafter the Company shall send to the Agent for its own account
or
for the account of the relevant Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy
of
an original official receipt received by the Company showing payment thereof
(or
such other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent). If the
Company fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the
appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to the Agent the required
receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Company shall indemnify
the
Creditor Parties for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may
become payable by any Creditor Party as a result of any such
failure.
(e) Each
Purchaser (or its assignee) that is not a “United States Person” as defined in
Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “Non-U.S. Purchaser”) shall deliver
to the Company and the Agent two completed originals of an appropriate U.S.
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, as applicable, or any subsequent versions
thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such
Non-U.S. Purchaser. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S.
Purchaser on or before the date it becomes a party to this
Agreement. In addition, each Non-U.S. Purchaser shall deliver such
forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously
delivered by such Non-U.S. Purchaser. Each Non-U.S. Purchaser shall
promptly notify the Company at any time it determines that it is no longer
in a
position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Company (or
any
other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such
purpose). Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (e),
a Non-U.S. Purchaser shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to
this
paragraph that such Non-U.S. Purchaser is not legally able to
deliver.
-19-
(f) The
agreements in the preceding paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and this paragraph
(f)
shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Notes
and
all other amounts payable hereunder or thereunder or under any other Related
Agreement.
As
used
in this Section 6.4, the following terms shall have the following meanings
(such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms
of
the terms defined):
“Excluded
Taxes” means, with respect to any Creditor Party, taxes imposed on or
measured by its overall net income and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu
of
net income taxes, by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof)
under the laws of which such Creditor Party is incorporated or organized or
by
the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) in which the principal
place of management or applicable lending office of such Creditor Party is
located.
“Non-Excluded
Taxes” means all Taxes other than (i) Excluded Taxes and (ii) Other
Taxes.
“Other
Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any
payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or
otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Related
Agreement.
“Taxes”
means any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions,
assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and all liabilities with
respect thereto.
6.5 Insurance. (i) The
Company shall bear the full risk of loss from any loss of any nature whatsoever
with respect to the Collateral (as defined in each of the Master Security
Agreement and each other security agreement entered into by the Company and/or
any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of the Creditor Parties) and the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries will, jointly and severally, bear the full risk
of
loss from any loss of any nature whatsoever with respect to the assets pledged
to the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, as security
for
the Obligations (as defined in the Master Security
Agreement). Furthermore, the Company
will insure or cause the Collateral to be insured in the Agent’s name as an
additional insured and lender loss payee, with an appropriate loss payable
endorsement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, against loss or
damage by fire, flood, sprinkler leakage, theft, burglary, pilferage, loss
in
transit and other risks customarily insured against by companies in similar
business similarly situated as the Company and its Subsidiaries including but
not limited to workers compensation, public and product liability and business
interruption, and such other hazards as the Agent shall specify in amounts
and
under insurance policies and bonds by insurers acceptable to the Agent and
all
premiums thereon shall be paid by the Company and the policies delivered to
the
Agent. If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries fails to obtain the
insurance and in such amounts of coverage as otherwise required pursuant to
this
Section 6.5, the Agent may procure such insurance and the cost thereof shall
be
promptly reimbursed by the Company and shall constitute
Obligations.
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(ii) The
Company’s insurance coverage shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or
neglect of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the insurer will provide
the Agent with no less than thirty (30) days notice prior of
cancellation;
(iii) The
Agent, in connection with its status as a lender loss payee, will be assigned
at
all times to a first lien position until such time as all the Obligations have
been indefeasibly satisfied in full.
6.6 Intellectual
Property.
(a) The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall maintain in full force and effect
its
existence, rights and franchises and all licenses and other rights to own or
use
Intellectual Property including registrations and applications therefore, that
are necessary to the conduct of its business, as now conducted or as presently
proposed to be conducted, and shall not do any act or omit to do any act whereby
any of such Intellectual Property may lapse, or become abandoned, dedicated
to
the public, or unenforceable, or the Lien therein in favor of the Agent, for
the
ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, would be adversely
affected,
(b) The
Company shall report to the Agent (i) the filing by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of any application to register a Copyright no later than ten (10)
days after such filing occurs (ii) the filing of any application to register
any
other Intellectual Property with any other Intellectual Property registry,
and
the issuance thereof, no later than thirty (30) days after such filing or
issuance occurs and, in each case, shall, simultaneously with such report,
deliver to the Agent fully-executed documents required to acknowledge, confirm,
register, record or perfect the Lien in such Intellectual
Property. In addition, the Company and its Subsidiaries hereby
authorize the Agent to modify this Agreement by amending Schedule 4.10 to
include any registrations or applications for Intellectual Property
inadvertently omitted from such Schedule or filed, registered, acquired by
the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof and agree to cooperate
with the Agent in effecting any such amendment to include any new item of
Intellectual Property included in the Collateral.
(c) The
Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly upon the
reasonable request of the Agent, execute and deliver to the Agent any document
or instrument required to acknowledge, confirm, register, record, or perfect
the
Lien of the Agent in any part of the Intellectual Property owned by the Company
and its Subsidiaries.
(d) The
Company shall, and shall cause of each of its Subsidiaries to, not sell, assign,
transfer, license, grant any option, or create or suffer to exist any Lien
upon
or with respect to Intellectual Property, except for the Permitted
Encumbrances.
6.7 Properties. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries will keep its properties in good repair,
working order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and from time
to
time make all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, additions
and
improvements thereto; and each of the Company and its Subsidiaries will at
all
times comply with each provision of all leases to which it is a party or under
which it occupies property if the breach of such provision could, either
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
-21-
6.8 Confidentiality. The
Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, disclose,
and
will not include in any public announcement, the name of any Creditor Party,
unless expressly agreed to by such Creditor Party or unless and until such
disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then only to the
extent of such requirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the
Company may disclose any Creditor Party’s identity and the terms of this
Agreement and the Related Agreements to its current and prospective debt and
equity financing sources, and (ii) the Company (and each employee,
representative, or other agent of the Company) may disclose to any and all
Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and any facts that
may be relevant to the tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Agreements and the agreements referred to therein;
provided, however, that the Company (and no employee, representative or other
agent of the Company) disclose pursuant to this clause (ii) any other
information that is not relevant to understanding the tax treatment or tax
structure of such transactions (including the identity of any party or any
information that could lead another to determine the identity of any party);
and, provided, further, that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of
its Subsidiaries to, disclose any information to the extent that such disclosure
could reasonably be expected to result in a violation of any U.S. federal or
state securities law or similar law of another jurisdiction. Each
Creditor Party shall be permitted to discuss, distribute or otherwise transfer
any non-public information of the Company and its Subsidiaries in such Creditor
Party’s possession now or in the future to potential or actual (i) direct or
indirect investors in such Creditor Party and (ii) third party assignees or
transferees of all or a portion of the obligations of the Company and/or any
of
its Subsidiaries hereunder and under the Related Agreements.
6.9 Required
Approvals. (I) Except as set forth on Schedule 6.9,
the Company, without the prior written consent of the Agent, shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(a) (i)
directly or indirectly declare or pay any dividends, other than dividends paid
to the Company or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, (ii) issue any preferred
stock that is mandatorily redeemable prior to the one year anniversary of the
Maturity Date (as defined in each Note) or (iii) redeem any of its preferred
stock or other equity interests;
(b) liquidate,
dissolve or effect a material reorganization (it being understood that in no
event shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries dissolve, liquidate or merge
with any other person or entity (unless, in the case of such a merger, the
Company or, in the case of merger not involving the Company, such Subsidiary,
as
applicable, is the surviving entity);
(c) become
subject to (including, without limitation, by way of amendment to or
modification of) any agreement or instrument which by its terms would (under
any
circumstances) restrict the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries, right to
perform the provisions of this Agreement, any Related Agreement or any of the
agreements contemplated hereby or thereby;
-22-
(d) materially
alter or change the scope of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole; or
(e) (i)
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness (exclusive of trade
debt and debt incurred to finance the purchase of equipment (not in excess
of
five percent (5%) of the fair market value of the Company’s and its
Subsidiaries’ assets)) whether secured or unsecured other than (x) the Company’s
obligations owed to each Purchaser, (y) indebtedness set forth on Schedule
6.9(e) attached hereto and made a part hereof and any refinancings or
replacements thereof on terms no less favorable to the Purchasers than the
indebtedness being refinanced or replaced, and (z) any indebtedness incurred
in
connection with the purchase of assets (other than equipment) in the ordinary
course of business, or any refinancings or replacements thereof on terms no
less
favorable to the Purchasers than the indebtedness being refinanced or replaced,
so long as any lien relating thereto shall only encumber the fixed assets so
purchased and no other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii)
cancel any indebtedness owing to it in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate during
any twelve (12) month period; (iii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise
become directly or contingently liable in connection with any obligations of
any
other person or entity, except the endorsement of negotiable instruments by
the
Company or any Subsidiary thereof for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business or guarantees of indebtedness
otherwise permitted to be outstanding pursuant to this clause (e); (iv) make
any
payment or distribution in respect of any subordinated indebtedness of the
Company or its Subsidiaries in violation of any subordination or other agreement
made in favor of any Creditor Party; and (v) make any optional payment or
prepayment on or redemption (including, without limitation, by making payments
to a sinking fund or analogous fund) or repurchase of any indebtedness for
borrowed money other than indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement;
and
(II) The
Company, without the prior written consent of the Agent, shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or acquire any Subsidiary after
the date hereof unless (i) such Subsidiary is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
the
Company and (ii) such Subsidiary becomes a party to (A) the Master Security
Agreement, (either by executing a counterpart thereof or an assumption or
joinder agreement in respect thereof); (B) a Subsidiary Guaranty in favor of
the
Purchasers in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and (C) to the extent
required by the Agent, satisfies each condition of this Agreement and the
Related Agreements as if such Subsidiary were a Subsidiary on the Closing
Date.
6.10 Opinion. On
the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Creditor Parties substantially
in the form of Exhibit B hereto an opinion acceptable to the Agent from
the Company’s external legal counsel.
6.11 Margin
Stock The Company will not permit any of the proceeds of the
Notes to be used directly or indirectly to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock”
or to repay indebtedness incurred to “purchase” or “carry” “margin stock” within
the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time
hereafter in effect.
-23-
6.12 FIRPTA Neither
the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries, is a “United States real property
holding corporation” as such term is defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code
and Treasury Regulation Section 1.897-2 promulgated thereunder and neither
the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall at any time take any action or
otherwise acquire any interest in any asset or property to the extent the effect
of which shall cause the Company and/or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
to
be a “United States real property holding corporation” as such term is defined
in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.897-2
promulgated thereunder.
6.13 Financing
Right of First Refusal
(a) The
Company hereby grants to the Purchasers a right of first refusal to provide
any
Additional Financing (as defined below) to be issued by the Company and/or
any
of its Subsidiaries, subject to the following terms and
conditions. From and after the date hereof, prior to the incurrence
of any additional indebtedness and/or the sale or issuance of any equity
interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (an “Additional
Financing”), the Company and/or any Subsidiary of the Company, as the case
may be, shall notify the Agent of its intention to enter into such Additional
Financing. In connection therewith, the Company and/or the applicable
Subsidiary thereof shall submit a fully executed term sheet (a “Proposed Term
Sheet”) to the Agent setting forth the terms, conditions and pricing of any
such Additional Financing (such financing to be negotiated on “arm’s length”
terms and the terms thereof to be negotiated in good faith) proposed to be
entered into by the Company and/or such Subsidiary. The Agent shall
have the right, but not the obligation, to deliver its own proposed term sheet
(the “Purchaser Term Sheet”) setting forth the terms and conditions upon
which the Purchasers would be willing to provide such Additional Financing
to
the Company
and/or such Subsidiary. The Purchaser Term Sheet shall contain terms
no less favorable to the Company and/or such Subsidiary than those outlined
in
Proposed Term Sheet as determined in the sole discretion of the Company and/or
such Subsidiary. The Agent shall deliver such Purchaser Term Sheet
within ten (10) business days of receipt of each such Proposed Term
Sheet. If the provisions of the Purchaser Term Sheet are at least as
favorable to the Company and/or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, as the
provisions of the Proposed Term Sheet, the Company and/or such Subsidiary shall
enter into and consummate the Additional Financing transaction outlined in
the
Purchaser Term Sheet.
(b) The
Company will not, and will not permit its Subsidiaries to, agree, directly
or
indirectly, to any restriction with any person or entity which limits the
ability of the Purchaser(s) to consummate an Additional Financing with the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
6.14 Board
Observation Rights. Until such time as all Obligations (as
defined in the Master Security Agreement) have been paid in full, the Purchasers
will be entitled to the following board observation rights (“Board
Observation Rights”): the Company shall permit one representative
of the Purchasers to attend all meetings of the board of directors of the
Company (the “Board of Directors”) in a non-voting observer capacity,
which observation right shall include the ability to observe discussions of
the
Board of Directors, and shall provide such representative with copies of all
notices, minutes, written consents, and other materials that it provides to
members of the Board of Directors, at the time it provides them to such members.
The observation right may be exercised in person or via telephone or videophone
participation. Each Purchaser agrees, on behalf of itself and any representative
exercising the observation rights set forth herein, that so long as it shall
exercise its observation right (i) it shall hold in strict confidence
pursuant to a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement (in form and
substance satisfactory to each Purchaser) all information and materials that
it
may receive or be given access to in connection with meetings of the Board
of
Directors and to act in a fiduciary manner with respect to all information
so
provided (provided that this shall not limit its ability to discuss such matters
with its officers, directors or legal counsel, as necessary), and (ii) the
Board of Directors may withhold from it certain information or material
furnished or made available to the Board of Directors or exclude it from certain
confidential “closed sessions” of the Board of Directors if the
furnishing or availability of such information or material or its presence
at
such “closed sessions” would jeopardize such Company’s attorney-client
privilege or if the Board of Directors otherwise reasonably so
requires. The Board Observation Rights set forth in this Section
shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the
indefeasibly payment in full of all Obligations (as defined in the Master
Security Agreement).
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6.15 Summaries;
Reports. The Company shall deliver to the Agent, within twenty
(20) business days following the end of each month, summaries of the Company’s
lease operating expenses and production relating to the Company’s Oil and Gas
Properties as and for the immediately preceding month.
6.16 Financial
Statements; Other Information. The Company will furnish to the
Agent:
(a) in
the event the Company intends to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose
of
any Oil or Gas Property, prior written notice of such sale, transfer, assignment
or other disposition, the price thereof and the anticipated date of closing
and
any other details thereof requested by the Agent; and
(b) within
sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a report setting forth,
for each calendar month during the then current fiscal year to date, the volume
of sold production and sales attributable to production (and the prices at
which
such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such
calendar month from the Oil and Gas Properties, and setting forth the related
ad
valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses
attributable thereto and incurred for each such calendar month.
-25-
6.17 Operation
and Maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties. The Company, at its
own expense, will:
(a) operate
its Oil and Gas Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties to be operated
in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the
industry and in material compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements
and in material compliance with all governmental requirements, including,
without limitation, applicable proration requirements and Environmental Law,
and
all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority
from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of
its
Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of hydrocarbons and other
minerals therefrom;
(b) promptly
pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be
paid
and discharged in accordance with prudent operator standards, all delay rentals,
royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other
agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and will do
all
other things necessary to keep unimpaired its rights with respect thereto and
prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder;
(c) promptly
perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed,
in
accordance with industry standards, the obligations required by each and all
of
the assignments, deeds, leases, subleases, contracts and agreements affecting
its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties and other material
properties;
(d) operate
its Oil and Gas Properties or cause or make reasonable and customary efforts
to
cause such Oil and Gas Properties to be operated in accordance with the
practices of the industry and in material compliance with all applicable
contracts and agreements; and
(e)
to
the extent the Company is not the operator of any Oil and Gas Property, the
Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this
Section 6.17.
6.18 Reserve
Reports.
(a) On
or before April 1st of each year, the Company shall furnish to the Agent a
reserve report prepared by one or more petroleum engineers approved by Agent
evaluating the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company as of the immediately
preceding December 31. The Company shall furnish to the Agent all
supplemental reserve reports promptly after their completion. All
such supplemental reserve reports shall be prepared by or under the supervision
of the chief engineer of the Company who shall certify such reserve report
to be
true and accurate and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures
used in the immediately preceding December 31 reserve report.
(b) With
the delivery of each reserve report, the Company shall provide to the Agent
a
certificate certifying that in all material respects: (i) the information
contained in the reserve report and any other information delivered in
connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) the Company has good and
defensible title to the working interests and net revenue interests in the
Oil
and Gas Properties evaluated in such reserve report and such Oil and Gas
Properties are free of all liens except for liens permitted by Section 4.9,
(iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis
there
are no gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to its
Oil
and Gas Properties evaluated in such reserve report which would require the
Company to deliver hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil
and
Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full
payment therefor, (iv) none of the Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since
the date of the last certificate, (v) attached to the certificate is a list
of
all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof
or the most recently delivered reserve report, and (vi) attached thereto is
a
schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such reserve
report.
-26-
6.19 Marketing
Activities. The Company will not engage in marketing activities
for any hydrocarbons or enter into any contracts related thereto other than
(a)
contracts for the sale of hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to
be
produced from its proved Oil and Gas Properties during the period of such
contract, (b) contracts for the sale of hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably
estimated to be produced from proved oil and gas properties of third parties
during the period of such contract associated with the Oil and Gas Properties
of
the Company that the Company has the right to market pursuant to joint operating
agreements, unitization agreements or other similar contracts that are usual
and
customary in the oil and gas business and (b) other contracts for the purchase
and/or sale of hydrocarbons of third parties (i) which have generally offsetting
provisions (i.e., corresponding pricing mechanics, delivery dates and points
and
volumes) such that no “position” is taken and (ii) for which appropriate credit
support has been taken to alleviate the material credit risks of the
counterparty thereto.
6.20 Sale
of Oil and Gas Properties. The Company will not sell, assign,
farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Oil and Gas Property or related
equipment except for (a) the sale of hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of
business; (b) farm-outs in the ordinary course of business of undeveloped
acreage or undrilled depths and assignments in connection with such farm-outs;
and (c) the sale or transfer of equipment that is no longer necessary for the
business of the Company or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable
value
and use.
6.21 Gas Imbalances,
Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments. The Company will not allow gas
imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas
Properties that would require the Company to deliver hydrocarbons at some future
time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.
7. Covenants
of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser covenants and agrees with the
Company as follows:
7.1 Confidentiality. No
Purchaser will disclose, nor will it include in any public announcement, the
name of the Company, unless expressly agreed to by the Company or unless and
until such disclosure is required by law or applicable regulation, and then
only
to the extent of such requirement.
-27-
7.2 Limitation
on Acquisition of Common Stock of the Company. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Related Agreement
or
any document, instrument or agreement entered into in connection with any other
transactions entered into by a Purchaser and the Company (and/or Subsidiaries
or
Affiliates of the Company), such Purchaser (and/or Subsidiaries or Affiliates
of
such Purchaser) shall not acquire stock in the Company (including, without
limitation, pursuant to a contract to purchase, by exercising an option or
warrant, by converting any other security or instrument, by acquiring or
exercising any other right to acquire, shares of stock or other security
convertible into shares of stock in the Company, or otherwise, and such
contracts, options, warrants, conversion or other rights shall not be
enforceable or exercisable) to the extent such stock acquisition would cause
any
interest (including any original issue discount) payable by the Company to
a
Non-U.S. Purchaser not to qualify as “portfolio interest” within the
meaning of Section 871(h)(2) or Section 881(c)(2) of the Code, by reason of
Section 871(h)(3) or Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, as applicable, taking
into account the constructive ownership rules under Section 871(h)(3)(C) of
the
Code (the “Stock Acquisition Limitation”). The Stock
Acquisition Limitation shall automatically become null and void without any
notice to the Company upon the existence of an Event of Default (as defined
in
the Note).
8. Covenants
of the Company and the Purchasers Regarding Indemnification
8.1 Company
Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify, hold harmless,
reimburse and defend each Creditor Party, each of such Creditor Party’s
officers, directors, agents, affiliates, control persons, and principal
shareholders, against all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations,
losses or damages (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred
by
or imposed upon such Creditor Party which result, arise out of or are based
upon: (i) any misrepresentation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
breach of any warranty by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in this
Agreement, any other Related Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules attached
hereto or thereto; or (ii) any breach or default in performance by Company
or
any of its Subsidiaries of any covenant or undertaking to be performed by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries hereunder, under any other Related Agreement
or any other agreement entered into by the Company and/or any of its
Subsidiaries and such Creditor Party relating hereto or thereto; or (iii) (a)
the violation of any Environmental Laws and the regulations promulgated pursuant
to such laws, all as amended and relating to or affecting the Company
and/or any Subsidiary and the Company’s and/or any Subsidiary’s properties,
whether or not caused by or within the control of any Creditor Party and/or
(b)
the presence, release or threat of release of any Hazardous Materials
(including, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum
products, flammable explosives, radioactive materials, infectious substances
or
raw materials which include hazardous constituents) on, in, under or affecting
all or any portion of any property of the Company and/or any Subsidiary or
any
surrounding areas, regardless of whether or not caused by or within the control
of any Creditor Party.
8.2 Purchaser
Indemnification. Each Purchaser agrees to indemnify, hold
harmless, reimburse and defend the Company and each of the Company’s officers,
directors, agents, affiliates, control persons and principal shareholders,
at
all times against any claims, costs, expenses, liabilities, obligations, losses
or damages (including reasonable legal fees) of any nature, incurred by or
imposed upon the Company which result, arise out of or are based
upon: (i) any misrepresentation by such Purchaser or breach of any
warranty by such Purchaser in this Agreement or in any exhibits or schedules
attached hereto or any Related Agreement; or (ii) any breach or default in
performance by such Purchaser of any covenant or undertaking to be performed
by
such Purchaser hereunder, or any other agreement entered into by the Company
and
such Purchaser relating hereto.
-28-
9. Miscellaneous
9.1 Governing
Law, Jurisdiction and Waiver of Jury Trial
(a) THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE
TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAWS.
(b) THE
COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED
IN
THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
TO
HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN THE COMPANY, ON THE ONE HAND,
AND ANY CREDITOR PARTY, ON THE OTHER HAND, PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY
OF THE RELATED AGREEMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS; PROVIDED, THAT EACH
CREDITOR PARTY AND THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS
MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK,
STATE
OF NEW YORK; AND FURTHERPROVIDED, THAT, NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE ANY CREDITOR PARTY FROM BRINGING SUIT
OR
TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO COLLECT THE OBLIGATIONS,
TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL (AS DEFINED IN THE MASTER
SECURITY AGREEMENT) OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS (AS DEFINED IN
THE
MASTER SECURITY AGREEMENT), OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN
FAVOR OF ANY CREDITOR PARTY. THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND
CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN
ANY
SUCH COURT, AND THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE BASED
UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON
CONVENIENS. THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE
SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT AND
AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS MAY BE MADE
BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH
IN SECTION 9.8 AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE
DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR
THREE (3) DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE
PREPAID.
-29-
(c) THE
PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH
APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE
BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE
ALL
RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE
ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN ANY
CREDITOR PARTY AND/OR THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH
THIS
AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER RELATED AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR
THERETO.
9.2 Severability Wherever
possible each provision of this Agreement and the Related Agreements shall
be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Agreement or any Related Agreement shall be
prohibited by or invalid or illegal under applicable law such provision shall
be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity or illegality,
without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions
thereof which shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
9.3 Survival The
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein shall survive
any investigation made by any Creditor Party and the closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby to the extent provided therein. All statements as
to factual matters contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered
by
or on behalf of the Company pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by
the
Company hereunder solely as of the date of such certificate or
instrument. All indemnities set forth herein shall survive the
execution, delivery and termination
of this Agreement and the Notes and the making and repayment of the obligations
arising hereunder, under the Notes and under the other Related
Agreements.
9.4 Successors.
(a) Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to
the
benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, heirs, executors and
administrators of the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of and
be
enforceable by each person or entity which shall be a holder of the Notes from
time to time. Each Purchaser may assign any or all of the Obligations
to any Person and, subject to acceptance and recordation thereof by the Agent
pursuant to Section 9.4(b) and receipt by the Agent of a copy of the
agreement or instrument pursuant to which such assignment is made (each such
agreement or instrument, an “Assignment Agreement”), any such assignee
shall succeed to all of such Purchaser’s rights with respect thereto; provided
that no Purchaser shall be permitted to assign its rights hereunder or under
any
Related Agreement to a competitor of the Company unless an Event of Default
(as
defined in each Note) has occurred and is continuing. Upon such
assignment, such Purchaser shall be released from all responsibility for the
Collateral (as defined in the Master Security Agreement, the Stock Pledge
Agreement and each other security agreement, mortgage, cash collateral deposit
letter, pledge and other agreements which are executed by the Company and/or
any
of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of the Creditor Parties) to the extent
same
is assigned to any transferee. Each Purchaser may from time to time
sell or otherwise grant participations in any of the Obligations (as defined
in
the Master Security Agreement) and the holder of any such participation shall,
subject to the terms of any agreement between such Purchaser and such holder,
be
entitled to the same benefits as such Purchaser with respect to any security
for
the Obligations (as defined in the Master Security Agreement) in which such
holder is a participant. The Company agrees that each such holder may
exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, set-off and counterclaim with
respect to its participation in the Obligations (as defined in the Master
Security Agreement) as fully as though the Company were directly indebted to
such holder in the amount of such participation. The Company may not
assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of the Agent. All of the terms, conditions, promises,
covenants, provisions and warranties of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of each of the undersigned, and shall bind the representatives,
successors and permitted assigns of the Company.
-30-
(b) The
Agent shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, for this purpose only as agent
of the Company, (i) a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to it and
(ii)
a book entry system, within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation Sections
15f.103-1(c) and 1.871-14(c) (the “Register”), in which it will register
the name and address of each Purchaser and the name and address of each assignee
of each Purchaser under this Agreement, and the principal amount of, and stated
interest on, the Notes owing to each such Purchaser and assignee pursuant to
the
terms hereof and each Assignment Agreement. The right, title and
interest of the Purchasers and their assignees in and to such Notes shall be
transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register, and no
assignment thereof shall be effective until recorded therein. The
Company and each Creditor Party shall treat each Person whose name is recorded
in the Register as a Purchaser pursuant to the terms hereof as a Purchaser
and
owner of an interest in the Obligations hereunder for all purposes of this
Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary or any notation of ownership
or other writing or any Note. The Register shall be available for
inspection by the Company or any Purchaser, at any reasonable time and from
time
to time, upon reasonable prior notice.
9.5 Entire
Agreement; Maximum Interest. This Agreement, the Related
Agreements, the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto and the other
documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding
and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no
party shall be liable or bound to any other in any manner by any
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically
set
forth herein and therein. Nothing contained in this Agreement, any
Related Agreement or in any document referred to herein or delivered in
connection herewith shall be deemed to establish or require the payment of
a
rate of interest or other charges in excess of the maximum rate permitted by
applicable law. In the event that the rate of interest or dividends
required to be paid or other charges hereunder exceed the maximum rate permitted
by such law, any payments in excess of such maximum shall be credited against
amounts owed by the Company to the Purchasers and thus refunded to the
Company.
-31-
9.6 Amendment
and Waiver
(a) This
Agreement may be amended or modified only upon the written consent of the
Company and the Agent.
(b) The
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Creditor Parties under this
Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the Agent.
(c) The
obligations of the Creditor Parties and the rights of the Company under this
Agreement may be waived only with the written consent of the
Company.
9.7 Delays
or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise
any right, power or remedy accruing to any party, upon any breach, default
or
noncompliance by another party under this Agreement or the Related Agreements,
shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to
be a
waiver of any such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence
therein, or of or in any similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter
occurring. All remedies, either under this Agreement or the Related
Agreements, by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative
and
not alternative.
9.8 Notices All
notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
effectively given:
(a) upon
personal delivery to the party to be notified;
(b) when
sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the
recipient, if not, then on the next business day;
(c) three
(3) business days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid; or
(d) one
(1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying
next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.
All
communications shall be sent as follows:
If
to the Company, to:
|
0000
Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Chief
Financial Officer
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
|
with
a copy to:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxx, Esquire
The
Loev Law Firm, PC
0000
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx
Xxxx, Esq.
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
|
-32-
If
to the Agent, to:
|
LV
Administrative Services, Inc.
c/o
Laurus Capital Management, LLC
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
|
with
a copy to:
|
Loeb
& Loeb, LLP
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile
No.: 000-000-0000
|
and
to
|
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx L.L.P.
0000
XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
|
If
to a Purchaser:
|
To
the address indicated under its signature on the signature pages
hereto
|
or
at
such other address as the Company or the applicable Creditor Party may designate
by written notice to the other parties hereto given in accordance
herewith.
9.9 Attorneys’
Fees. In the event that any suit or action is instituted to
enforce any provision in this Agreement or any Related Agreement, the prevailing
party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all
fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under
or with respect to this Agreement and/or such Related Agreement, including,
without limitation, such reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and
accountants, which shall include, without limitation, all fees, costs and
expenses of appeals.
9.10 Titles
and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered
in
construing this Agreement.
9.11 Signatures;
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or
electronic signatures and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
agreement.
9.12 Broker’s
Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 9.12 hereof,
each party hereto represents and warrants that no agent, broker, investment
banker, person or firm acting on behalf of or under the authority of such party
hereto is or will be entitled to any broker’s or finder’s fee or any other
commission directly or indirectly in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein. Each party hereto further agrees to indemnify
each other party for any claims, losses or expenses incurred by such other
party
as a result of the representation in this Section 11.12 being
untrue.
-33-
9.13 Construction. Each
party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated in the preparation of
this Agreement and the Related Agreements and, therefore, stipulates that the
rule of construction that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting
party shall not be applied in the interpretation of this Agreement or any
Related Agreement to favor any party against the other.
9.14 Agency. Each
Purchaser has pursuant to an Administrative and Collateral Agency Agreement
designated and appointed the Agent as the administrative and collateral agent
of
such Purchaser under this Agreement and the Related Agreements.
[THE
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
-34-
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the SECURITIES PURCHASE
AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.
COMPANY:
|
PURCHASERS:
|
VALENS
U.S. SPV I, LLC
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx
Title:
President
|
By:
Valens Capital Management, LLC, its
Investment
Manager
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Title:
Authorized Signatory
|
AGENT:
|
VALENS
OFFSHORE SPV II, CORP.
|
LV
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, INC.,
as
Agent
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Title:
Authorized Signatory
|
By:
Valens Capital Management, LLC, its
Investment
Manager
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Title:
Authorized
Signatory
|
-35-
Schedule
1
Purchaser:
|
Total
Notes Purchased:
|
Valens
U.S. SPV I, LLC
|
$2,300,000
|
Valens
Offshore SPV II, Corp.
|
$3,000,000
|
Schedule
4.2
Century
Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is wholly owned by New
Century Energy Corp.
Gulf
Coast Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is wholly owned by
New Century Energy Corp.
Schedule
4.3
Gulf
Coast Oil Corporation Capitalization
1,000,000
shares $0.001 par value per share authorized,
1,000
shares issued and outstanding
Century
Resources, Inc. Capitalization
1,000
shares authorized, no par value per share
500
shares issued and outstanding
Outstanding
Warrants:
Energy
Capital Solutions – 900,000 warrants, exercisable at $0.80 per share, which are
exercisable until June 30, 2009.
Schedule
4.6
None.
Schedule
4.7
None.
Schedule
4.9
None.
Schedule
4.10
None.
Schedule
4.12
None.
Schedule
4.13
None.
Schedule
4.14
Xxxxxx
XxXxxxxxx serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President under a three
year
Executive Employment Agreement effective from September 1, 2005 to August 31,
2008, which was amended, effective June 1, 2006, and which is renewable for
successive one (1) year terms upon its expiration.
Schedule
4.15
None.
Schedule
6.9
The
Company’s outstanding indebtedness under its Notes Payable to Laurus Master Fund
Ltd. are:
|
|
Second
Amended and Restated Secured Convertible (June 30, 2005)
|
|
Second
Amended And Restated
Secured
Term (September 19, 2005)
|
|
December
2006 Secured Term
(December
28, 2006)
|
|
Gulf
Coast Note (April 26, 2006)*
Gulf
Coast Notes (November 20, 2007)*
|
|
*
Guaranteed by the Company
Schedule
9.12
None.