AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF EVERFLOW EASTERN PARTNERS, L.P.
Exhibit No. 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
EVERFLOW EASTERN PARTNERS, L.P.
EVERFLOW EASTERN PARTNERS, L.P.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
1.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
ARTICLE II FORMATION OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP |
9 | |||
2.1 Formation |
9 | |||
2.2 Name |
9 | |||
2.3 Registered Office; Principal Office |
9 | |||
2.4 Names and Addresses of Partners |
9 | |||
2.5 Term |
9 | |||
ARTICLE III PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS |
9 | |||
3.1 Purposes |
9 | |||
ARTICLE IV CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
10 | |||
4.1 Contribution and Replacement of Organizational Limited Partner |
10 | |||
4.2 Limited Partner Contributions |
10 | |||
4.3 General Partner Contribution |
10 | |||
4.4 Issuances of Additional Units and Other Securities |
10 | |||
4.5 Additional Capital Contributions |
11 | |||
4.6 No Preemptive Rights |
11 | |||
4.7 Capital Accounts |
11 | |||
4.8 Limited Partner Liability |
12 | |||
4.9 Return of Contributions |
12 | |||
ARTICLE V ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS |
13 | |||
5.1 Profits |
13 | |||
5.2 Losses |
13 | |||
5.3 Special Allocations |
13 | |||
5.4 Curative Allocations |
14 | |||
5.5 Other Allocation Rules |
14 | |||
5.6 Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c) |
15 | |||
5.7 Initial Quarterly Distributions |
15 | |||
5.8 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions |
15 | |||
ARTICLE VI MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS |
15 | |||
6.1 Management |
15 | |||
6.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership |
16 | |||
6.3 Reliance by Third Parties |
17 | |||
6.4 Limitations on Power of General Partner |
17 | |||
6.5 Loans from the General Partner |
17 | |||
6.6 Duties of General Partner |
18 | |||
6.7 Indemnification and Liability |
18 | |||
6.8 Right of General Partner to Pledge Its Interest |
19 | |||
6.9 Outside Activities |
19 | |||
6.10 Partnership Funds |
20 | |||
6.11 Expenses |
20 | |||
6.12 Further Limitations and Restrictions |
20 | |||
6.13 Options to Acquire Repurchased Units |
22 |
i
ARTICLE VII RIGHTS AND PROHIBITIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS |
22 | |||
7.1 Rights of Limited Partners |
22 | |||
7.2 Prohibitions with Respect to Limited Partners |
22 | |||
ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS |
23 | |||
8.1 Transfer of Interests |
23 | |||
8.2 Requirements of Transfer |
23 | |||
8.3 General Partner |
23 | |||
8.4 Death, Etc. of Partners |
23 | |||
8.5 Assignment by Partners |
24 | |||
8.6 Substituted Limited Partner |
24 | |||
8.7 Restrictions on Substituted Limited Partners |
24 | |||
8.8 Effectiveness of Assignment |
24 | |||
8.9 Admission of Initial Limited Partners |
25 | |||
8.10 Admission of Additional Partners |
25 | |||
8.11 Admission of Successor General Partner |
25 | |||
8.12 Special Transfer Restrictions |
25 | |||
8.13 Amendment of Agreement and of Certificate of Limited Partnership |
25 | |||
ARTICLE IX WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS |
26 | |||
9.1 Withdrawal or Removal of General partner |
26 | |||
9.2 Interest of Departing Partner and Successor |
26 | |||
ARTICLE X AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE; CONSENTS |
27 | |||
10.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by General Partner |
27 | |||
10.2 Amendment Procedures |
28 | |||
10.3 Amendment Requirements |
28 | |||
10.4 Voting Rights of Limited Partners |
28 | |||
10.5 Meetings |
29 | |||
10.6 Notice of a Meeting |
29 | |||
10.7 Record Date |
29 | |||
10.8 Adjournment |
29 | |||
10.9 Waiver of Notice; Consent to Meeting; Approval of Minutes |
30 | |||
10.10 Quorum |
30 | |||
10.11 Conduct of Meeting |
30 | |||
10.12 Action Without a Meeting |
31 | |||
10.13 Voting and Other Rights |
31 | |||
ARTICLE XI REPURCHASE RIGHT |
32 | |||
11.1 Repurchase Right |
32 | |||
11.2 Adjusted Book Value |
32 | |||
11.3 Appraisal |
32 | |||
11.4 Statement of Cash Purchase Price |
33 | |||
11.5 No Cash Reserve |
33 | |||
11.6 Payment of Cash Purchase Price |
33 |
ii
ARTICLE XII TERMINATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND DISTRIBUTION UPON TERMINATION |
33 | |||
12.1 Termination |
33 | |||
12.2 Procedure upon Dissolution |
34 | |||
12.3 Compliance with Timing Requirements of Regulations |
36 | |||
12.4 Time for Winding Up |
36 | |||
12.5 Final Accounting |
36 | |||
ARTICLE XIII TAX MATTERS |
36 | |||
13.1 Preparation of Tax Returns |
36 | |||
13.2 Tax Elections |
36 | |||
13.3 Tax Matters Partner |
37 | |||
13.4 Organizational Expenses |
38 | |||
13.5 Intangible Drilling Costs |
38 | |||
13.6 Taxation as a Partnership |
38 | |||
13.7 Opinions Regarding Taxation as a Partnership |
38 | |||
13.8 Withholding Taxes |
38 | |||
ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
38 | |||
14.1 Books of Account |
38 | |||
14.2 Accounts and Accounting Decisions |
38 | |||
14.3 Partners Independently Bound |
39 | |||
14.4 Addresses and Notices |
39 | |||
14.5 Waiver of Partition |
39 | |||
14.6 Titles and Captions |
39 | |||
14.7 Pronouns and Plurals |
39 | |||
14.8 Further Action |
39 | |||
14.9 Entire Agreement |
39 | |||
14.10 Counterparts |
39 | |||
14.11 Applicable Law |
39 | |||
14.12 Benefits |
39 | |||
14.13 Severability |
39 | |||
14.14 Power of Attorney |
40 |
iii
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
EVERFLOW EASTERN PARTNERS, L.P.
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
EVERFLOW EASTERN PARTNERS, L.P.
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP is made and entered into as of the
10th day of February, 2010, by and among Everflow Management Limited, LLC, an Ohio
limited liability company, as the general partner (hereinafter referred to as the “General
Partner”), and those persons who become Partners or Assignees of the Partnership as hereinafter
provided.
RECITALS
The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner formed the Partnership by executing
the Agreement of Limited Partnership on September 13, 1990 and executing and filing a Certificate
of Limited Partnership with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 14, 1990.
Effective on February 15, 1991, the General Partner and the holders of interests in certain
drilling programs exchanged their interests in return for the General Partner Interest and the
Limited Partnership Interests, respectively. The General Partner and those persons entered into
the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of February 15, 1991 (the
“Limited Partnership Agreement”).
Pursuant to a Consent Solicitation dated December 9, 2009, the General Partner proposed
certain amendments to the Limited Partnership Agreement for approval by the Limited Partners.
Effective on February 10, 2010, the Partnership had received the written consent of Limited
Partners holding at least 61% of the Units. The Limited Partnership Agreement is hereby amended
and restated to include those amendments approved by the vote of the Limited Partners.
This Agreement amends the Limited Partnership Agreement and the General Partner and the
Limited Partners now desire to amend and restate the Limited Partnership Agreement in its entirety
as follows.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
“Additional General Partner” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a General
Partner pursuant to Section 8.12 hereof.
“Additional Limited Partner” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited
Partner pursuant to Section 8.10 hereof and who is shown as such on the books and
records of the Partnership.
“Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Partner, the deficit
balance, if any, in such Partner’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant
fiscal year, after (i) crediting to such Capital Account any amounts which such
Partner is obligated to restore or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to
the penultimate sentence of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(iv)(f); and (ii)
debiting to such Capital Account the items described in Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) of the Regulations. The foregoing definition
of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person who directly or
indirectly owns, controls or holds, with power to vote, ten percent (10%) or more of
the outstanding voting securities of such other Person, (ii) any Person with respect
to which ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting securities are directly
or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with power to vote, by such other Person,
(iii) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common
control with such other Person, (iv) any officer, director or partner of such other
Person, and (v) if such other Person is an officer, director or partner, any
company, partnership, association or other entity or organization for which such
Person acts in any such capacity.
“Assignee” means a Non-Eligible Assignee or a Person to whom one or more Units have
been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement and who has executed and
delivered a Transfer and Assignment Form as required by this Agreement, but who has
not become a Substituted Limited Partner.
“Bankruptcy” means, as to any Partner, the Partner’s taking or acquiescing in the
taking of any action seeking relief under, or advantage of, any applicable debtor
relief, liquidation, receivership, conservatorship, bankruptcy, moratorium,
rearrangement, insolvency, reorganization or similar law affecting the rights or
remedies of creditors generally, as in effect from time to time. For the purpose of
this definition, the term “acquiescing” shall include, without limitation, the
failure to file, within ten (10) days after its entry, a petition, answer or motion
to vacate or to discharge any order, judgment or decree providing for any relief
under any such law.
“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Partner or Assignee
pursuant to Section 4.7 hereof.
“Capital Contribution” means any cash, cash equivalents or the initial Gross Asset
Value Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property which a Partner contributes to the
Partnership pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.5 hereof.
“Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section
6.2 hereof, as such Certificate may be amended and/or restated from time to time.
“Closing Date” means the date on which the Exchange Offer will be consummated.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time
to time, as interpreted by the applicable regulations thereunder. Any reference
herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a
reference to any corresponding provision of future law.
“Commencement Quarter” means the first calendar quarter which shall begin after the
Closing Date.
“Contributed Property” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be
permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash and cash equivalents, contributed
to the Partnership (or deemed contributed to the Partnership on termination and
reconstitution thereof pursuant to Section 708 of the Code). Once the value of a
Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 4.7 hereof, such property shall
no longer constitute a Contributed Property for purposes of Section 5.1 hereof, but
shall be deemed an Adjusted Property for such purposes.
“Contributing Partner” means each Partner contributing (or deemed to have
contributed on termination and reconstitution of the Partnership pursuant to Section
708 of the Code or otherwise) a Contributed Property.
2
“Cost”, when used with respect to property, shall mean (i) the sum of the prices
paid by the seller to an unaffiliated person for such property, including bonuses;
(ii) title insurance or examination costs, brokers’ commissions, filing fees,
recording costs, transfer taxes, if any, and like charges in connection with the
acquisition of such property; (iii) a pro rata portion of the seller’s actual
necessary and reasonable expenses for seismic and geophysical services; (iv) rentals
and ad valorem taxes paid by the seller with respect to such property to the date of
its transfer to the buyers; (v) interest on funds used to acquire or maintain such
property; and (vi) such portion of the seller’s reasonable, necessary and actual
expenses for geological, engineering, drafting, accounting, legal and other like
services allocated to the property cost in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and industry standards, except for expenses in connection with
the past drilling of xxxxx which are not producers of sufficient quantities of oil
or gas to make commercially reasonable their continued operations, and provided that
the expenses enumerated in (iv), (v) and (vi) hereof shall have been incurred not
more than thirty-six (36) months prior to the purchase of such property by the
Partnership. When used with respect to services, “cost” means the reasonable,
necessary and actual expense incurred by the seller on behalf of the Partnership in
providing such services determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. As used elsewhere, “cost” means the price paid by the seller in an
arms-length transaction.
“Delaware Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C.
§ 17-101, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor to such
statute.
“Departing Partner” means a former General Partner, as of the effective date of any
involuntary withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section
9.1 hereof.
“Depreciation” means, for each fiscal year or other period, an amount equal to the
depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect
to an asset for such year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of
an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the
beginning of such year or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears
the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax
depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other
period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis.
“EEI” means Everflow Eastern, Inc., an Ohio corporation.
“Eligible Citizen” means a Person qualified to own interests in real property in
jurisdictions in which the Partnership does business or proposes to do business from
time to time, and whose status as a Limited Partner or Assignee does not or would
not subject the Partnership to a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of
any of their property or any interest therein.
“Eligibility Certification” means the documentation requested from time to time by
the Partnership pursuant to which a Person certifies his status as an Eligible
Citizen.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any
successor to such statute.
“Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Partnership, on the terms and conditions set
forth in the Final Prospectus, to exchange Units for various partnership interests
and working interests in Oil and Gas Properties as described in the Final
Prospectus.
“Exchange Value” means the value assigned to an Interest for purposes of the
Exchange Offer.
“Final Prospectus” means the prospectus as filed by the Partnership with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Registration Statement, as
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a)
of the Securities Act.
3
“General and Administrative Overhead” shall mean all customary and routine expenses
incurred by the General Partner for the conduct of Partnership administration,
including legal, financial, accounting, travel, office rent, telephone, secretarial,
data processing and other items of a similar nature.
“General Partner” means Everflow Management Company, or any successor appointed
pursuant to Section 8.3 or 9.1 hereof and admitted to the Partnership in accordance
with Section 8.11. “General Partners” means the General Partner and any Additional
General Partners admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 8.11.
“General Partner Interest” means the Partnership Interest of the General Partner.
“Gross Asset Value” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for
federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
(1) The initial Gross Asset Value of any Contributed Property shall be
the gross fair market value of such property, as determined by the General
Partner using any reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.
(2) The Gross Asset Values of all Partnership assets shall be adjusted
to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined by the
General Partner using any reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt, as
of the following times: (a) the acquisition of an additional Partnership
Interest by any new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de
minimis Capital Contribution; (b) the distribution by the Partnership assets
as consideration for a Partnership Interest if the General Partner
reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to
reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership;
and (c) the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g).
(3) The Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset distributed to any
Partner shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of
distribution.
(4) The Gross Asset Values of Partnership assets shall be increased (or
decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets
pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the
extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts pursuant to Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and Section 4.7
hereof; provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted
pursuant to this paragraph (4) to the extent the General Partner determines
that an adjustment pursuant to paragraph (2) is necessary or appropriate in
connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment
pursuant to this paragraph (4).
If the Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted
pursuant to paragraph (1), (2) or (4), such Gross Asset Value shall
thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect
to such asset for purposes of computing Profits and Losses.
“Initial Distributions” means those distributions the Partnership shall make pursuant to the
provisions of Section 5.7 with respect to the Initial Quarters.
“Initial Quarters” means those eight (8) calendar quarters beginning with the first
complete calendar quarter after the Closing Date.
“Interests” means (i) all partnership interests held by partners in certain of the
limited partnerships or oil and gas working interest programs previously sponsored
by EEI, (ii) certain Working
Interests held by owners of certain oil and gas properties, and (iii) all shares of
common stock of EEI.
4
“Limited Partners” means any Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner
or a Substituted Limited Partner, or otherwise having the rights of a Limited
Partner under this Agreement each for so long as they are Limited Partners
hereunder.
“Limited Partnership Interests” means the Partnership Interests of the Limited
Partners. Limited Partnership Interests shall be divided into units, each unit
representing a pro rata percentage interest in the aggregate Percentage Interest of
the Limited Partners. All references in this Agreement to numbers of Limited
Partnership Interests shall be deemed to refer to the specified number of such units
of Limited Partnership Interest. Additional Limited Partnership Interests may be
issued pursuant to Section 4.4.
“Liquidator” means the General Partner or other Person approved pursuant to Section
12.1 hereof who performs the functions described therein.
“Majority Vote of the Limited Partners” means the written consent of, or an
affirmative vote in accordance with Section 10.4 by, Limited Partners of record who
are Limited Partners with respect to more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate
number of outstanding Limited Partnership Interests. Each Limited Partnership
Interest shall be entitled to one vote for this purpose.
“Net Available Cash” means all cash generated by the Partnership from any source
whatsoever less the cash expended by the Partnership (i) to pay the costs of his
operations including general and administration expenses, debt repayment, and
drilling and development costs, (ii) to acquire Oil and Gas Interests, and (iii) to
fulfill the Company’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of Article XI to fund
the requirements of the Repurchase Right.
“Non-Eligible Assignee” means a Person to whom one or more Units have been
transferred in a manner permitted by this Agreement who has not executed an
Eligibility Certification.
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(iv)(b)
of the Regulations. The amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a fiscal year equals
the net increase, if any, in the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain during that
fiscal year, determined according to the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(iv)(b)
of the Regulations.
“Oil and Gas Interests” shall mean direct or indirect interests in (a) undeveloped
or developed properties suitable for, believed by the General Partner to be suitable
for, or currently the subject of, oil and gas exploration, development or
production, including, without limitation, leasehold, operating, non-operating,
production payment, working and royalty interests, and contract rights relating
thereto; (b) interests in xxxxx, oil field equipment, tanks, pipe, processing or
compression plants or facilities, and other items of a similar nature which are used
or to be used in connection with any such properties; (c) contract rights, whether
real, personal or mixed, being used or proposed to be used in connection with the
exploration, development, operation or maintenance of such properties, or being used
or proposed to be used in connection with the production, treatment, processing,
storage, transportation or marketing of oil and gas and other minerals produced in
association therewith that are produced from or allocated to such properties; (d)
interests in partnerships (including both general and limited partner interests,
either directly or indirectly as an assignee of general and limited partner
interests and specifically including the Interests); (e) corporations and other
associations that hold any of the foregoing; and (f) any tangible or intangible
assets or rights to the foregoing, whether real, personal or mixed.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel
to the Partnership or the General Partner) acceptable to the General Partner.
5
“Organizational Limited Partner” means Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx in his capacity as the
organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
“Outstanding” means all Units or other Partnership securities that are issued by the
Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as
of the date of determination.
“Partner” means a General Partner or a Limited Partner and solely for purposes of
Articles IV, V and VI hereof and Section 12.2 hereof shall include an Assignee.
“Partnership” means the limited partnership heretofore formed and continued pursuant
to this Agreement, and any successor thereto.
“Partnership Interest” means the interest of a Partner in the Partnership which, in
the case of a Limited Partner or Assignee, shall be expressed in terms of Units.
“Partnership Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(iv)(c)
of the Regulations.
“Partnership Year” means the fiscal year of the Partnership, which shall be the
calendar year.
“Percentage Interest” means, as of the date of determination, (a) as to the General
Partner in its capacity as such, one percent (1%), (b) as to any Limited Partner or
Assignee holding Units, the product of (i) ninety-nine percent (99%) multiplied by
(ii) the quotient of the number of Units held by such Limited Partner or Assignee
divided by the total number of all Units then Outstanding; provided, however, that
following any issuance of additional Units by the Partnership pursuant to Section
4.4 hereof, proper adjustment shall be made to the Percentage Interest represented
by each Unit to reflect such issuance.
“Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated
organization, association or other entity.
“Profits” and “Losses” means, for each fiscal year or other period, an amount equal
to the Partnership’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, as the case may
be, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items
of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code
Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following
adjustments:
(1) Any income of the Partnership that is exempt from federal income
tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses
shall be added to such taxable income or loss.
(2) Any expenditures of the Partnership described in Code Section
705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant
to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) and not otherwise taken into
account in computing Profits or Losses shall be subtracted from such taxable
income or loss.
(3) In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset is
adjusted pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) under the definition of “Gross
Asset Value”, the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as
gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing
Profits or Losses.
(4) Gain or loss resulting from any sale or disposition of any
Partnership assets with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for
federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross
Asset Value of the asset disposed of,
notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such asset differs from
its Gross Asset Value.
6
(5) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery
deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss,
there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such fiscal year or other
period.
(6) In lieu of the depletion allowances taken into account by the
Partners in computing their taxable income or loss, there shall be taken
into account the Simulated Depletion Allowance for such fiscal year or other
period.
(7) Notwithstanding any other provision, any items which are specially
allocated pursuant to Section 5.3 or Section 5.4 shall not be taken into
account in computing Profits or Losses.
“Proved Reserves” means those quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas
liquids which, upon analysis of geologic and engineering data, appear with
reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from known oil and gas
reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Proved Reserves are
limited to those quantities of oil and gas which can be expected, with little doubt,
to be recoverable commercially at current prices and costs, under existing
regulatory practices and with existing conventional equipment and operating methods.
Depending upon their status of development, such Proved Reserves shall be
subdivided into the following classifications:
(a) | “Proved Developed Reserves” means Proved Reserves which can be
expected to be recovered through existing xxxxx with existing equipment and
operating methods. This classification shall include: |
(1) | “Proved Developed Producing Reserves” are
Proved Developed Reserves which are expected to be produced from
existing completion interval(s) now open for production in existing
xxxxx; and |
(2) | “Proved Developed Non-Producing Reserves” are
Proved Developed Reserves which exist behind the casing of existing
xxxxx, or at minor depths below the present bottom of such xxxxx, which
are expected to be produced through these xxxxx in the predictable
future, where the cost of making such oil and gas available for
production should be relatively small compared to the cost of a new
well. |
(b) | “Proved Undeveloped Reserves” means Proved Reserves which are
expected to be recovered from new xxxxx on undrilled acreage, or from existing
xxxxx where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.
Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those drilling units
offsetting productive units, which are virtually certain of production when
drilled. Proved Reserves for other undrilled units can be claimed only where
it can be demonstrated with certainty that there is continuity of production
from the existing productive formation. |
“Recalculation” means the procedure by which the Exchange Values in respect of
certain Interests shall be recalculated and pursuant to which additional Units may
be issued to Limited Partners pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.4(a) hereof.
“Recapture Income” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without
regard to any adjustment required by Sections 734 or 743 of the Code) upon the
disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized
as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously
taken with respect to such property or asset.
7
“Record Date” means the date established by the General Partner for determining (a)
the identity of Limited Partners (or Assignees, if applicable) entitled to notice
of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or
give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to
exercise rights in respect of any other lawful action of Limited Partners, or (b)
the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution.
“Record Holder” means the Person in whose name a Unit is registered on the books of
the Partnership, as of the opening of business on a particular business day.
“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No. 33-36919), as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, filed by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Units in the Exchange Offer.
“Regulations” means the Income Tax Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such
Regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of
succeeding Regulations).
“Related Person” means any Person who is (i) an Affiliate of the Partnership, or
(ii) of an Affiliate of the Partnership.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor to
such statute.
“Simulated Basis” shall mean the adjusted basis of any oil and gas property
determined for federal income tax purposes immediately following the acquisition of
such property, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an oil and gas property
differs from its adjusted tax basis for federal income tax purposes, the Simulated
Basis of such oil and gas property shall be such Gross Asset Value.
“Simulated Depletion Allowance” shall mean a depletion allowance computed (in
accordance with federal income tax principles) for each taxable year with respect to
each oil and gas property using the cost method of depletion. For purposes of
computing the Simulated Depletion Allowance with respect to any property, the
adjusted basis of such property shall be deemed to be the Simulated Basis in such
property and in no event shall such allowance, in the aggregate, exceed such
Simulated Basis.
“Substituted Limited Partner” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to
the Partnership pursuant to Section 8.10 hereof in place of and with all the rights
of a Limited Partner and who is shown as a Limited Partner on the books and records
of the Partnership.
“Unit” means a Partnership Interest of a Limited Partner or Assignee in the
Partnership representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all
Limited Partners and Assignees.
8
ARTICLE II
FORMATION OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
2.1 Formation. The General Partner and Organizational Limited Partner have previously
formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act.
Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the General Partner and the Organizational Limited
Partner hereby continue the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the
Delaware Act. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of
the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be
governed by the Delaware Act. The Partnership Interest of each Partner shall be personal property
for all purposes.
2.2 Name. The Partnership shall be designated “Everflow Eastern Partners, L.P.” Subject to
all applicable laws, the business of the Partnership may be conducted under such other name or
names as the General Partner shall determine to be necessary or desirable. The General Partner
shall cause to be filed on behalf of the Partnership such partnership or assumed or fictitious name
certificate or certificates or similar instruments as may from time to time be required by law.
2.3 Registered Office; Principal Office. The address of the registered office of the
Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1013 Centre Road, P. X. Xxx 000, Xxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, and the registered agent for service of process on the
Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be Corporation Service
Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be 000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx
00000, or such other location as may be hereafter determined by the General Partner as designated
from time to time by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such
other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner deems
advisable.
2.4 Names and Addresses of Partners. The General Partner of the Partnership is
Everflow Management Company and the business address of the General Partner is 000 Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000. The General Partner may change its address at any time and from
time to time. The names and business residence or mailing addresses of the Limited Partners and
the date upon which each such person became a Limited Partner are as set forth from time to time in
the records of the Partnership.
2.5 Term. The Partnership shall commence on the completion of filing and recording of
all certificates and other instruments in respect of the formation of the Partnership required by
the Delaware Act, and shall continue until December 31, 2035, unless sooner terminated as
hereinafter provided in accordance with the provisions of Article X.
ARTICLE III
PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS
3.1 Purposes.
The purposes for which the Partnership is organized and the powers which it may exercise, all being
in furtherance of and not in limitation of the general powers conferred to limited partnerships by
the laws of the State of Delaware, are to participate in the Exchange Offer, to acquire and own Oil
and Gas Interests, and to develop, operate and dispose of such Oil and Gas Interests and related
oil, gas and related mineral leases, properties and interests; to produce, collect, store, treat,
deliver, market, sell or otherwise dispose of oil, gas and related minerals from Oil and Gas
Interests; to form or cause to be formed general partnerships, joint ventures and limited
partnerships, or any combination of the foregoing, to explore for, drill and/or develop Oil and Gas
Properties and to offer and sell interests in such general partnerships, joint ventures and limited
partnerships to Persons; otherwise to invest and engage generally in any and all phases of the oil
and gas business; and to take all such actions which may be necessary, appropriate or incidental
thereto as the General Partner may determine from time to time. The Partnership shall have the
power and authority to incur indebtedness, to invest Partnership funds and to enter into joint
ventures, partnerships and other business arrangements to achieve the purposes of the Partnership,
and shall have all other rights and powers not expressly prohibited to limited partnerships under
the Delaware Act.
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ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Contribution and Replacement of Organizational Limited Partner.
The Organizational Limited Partner has made an initial contribution to the capital of the
Partnership in the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). Upon receipt of the contributions of
the Limited Partners pursuant to Section 4.2, the Partnership shall repay to the Organizational
Limited Partner the contribution to capital made by him, the Organizational Limited Partner shall
cease to be a Partner and the General Partner, in accordance with Section 6.2, shall prepare and
file any necessary amendment of the Certificate of Limited Partnership to evidence that the
Organizational Limited Partner has ceased to be a Partner.
4.2 Limited Partner Contributions.
(a) Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, contributions will be made to the capital of the
Partnership by Limited Partners in the form of Interests. The Partnership has authorized up to
8,000,000 Units to be issued to the Limited Partners in the Exchange Offer or to be issued as
otherwise provided in this Agreement. Each person who makes such a contribution shall be admitted
as a Limited Partner and shall be issued one Unit for each $10.00 of Exchange Value of the
Interests contributed by him. The Exchange Value of the contributions to capital made by, and the
number of Units issued to, each initial Limited Partner are set forth in the Limited Partnership
Agreement. At the time of such contribution, the Partnership shall assume the liabilities
attributable to the Interests as provided in the Final Prospectus. Units issued pursuant to this
Section shall be deemed for all purposes of the Agreement to be issued to a Limited Partner as of
the Closing Date.
(b) Upon completion of the Recalculation, the Partnership shall issue additional Units to each
Limited Partner entitled thereto as a result of the Recalculation. The number of Units issued to
each such Limited Partner shall be equal to the amount, if any, allocated pursuant to the
Recalculation to the Interests contributed by such Limited Partner, divided by $10.00.
(c) No fractional Units shall be issued pursuant to this Section 4.2; instead each fractional
Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit.
4.3 General Partner Contribution. On the Closing Date, the General Partner will
contribute to the capital of the Partnership cash or Interests, which shall be valued at their
Exchange Value, equal to at least one percent (1%) of the aggregate Exchange Value of all
contributions made to the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.2(a) and this Section 4.3. Thereafter
from time to time, the General Partner shall contribute to the capital of the Partnership cash or
property (including Units) in such amounts that its Capital Contribution at all times shall be
equal to at least one percent (1%) of the aggregate Capital Contribution to the Partnership by all
Partners.
4.4 Issuances of Additional Units and Other Securities.
(a) Upon completion of the Recalculation, the Partnership shall issue additional Units to each
Person entitled thereto as a result of the Recalculation. The number of Units issued to each such
Person shall be equal to the amounts, if any, allocated to the Interests contributed by such Person
pursuant to the Recalculation, divided by $10; provided, however, that in no event shall the number
of additional Units to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.4(b) exceed three
percent (3%) of the total number of Units issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.2(a). No
fractional Units shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.4(b); instead any
fractional Units shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.4(b), the General Partner is authorized to
issue additional Units to acquire Oil and Gas Interests (or related assets) and the General Partner
shall have sole and complete discretion in determining the consideration and terms and conditions
with respect to any such future issuance of Units. Any Units initially authorized pursuant to
Section 4.2 but not otherwise distributed pursuant to Sections 4.2(a) and (b) may be issued in
connection with the acquisition by the Partnership of Oil and Gas Interests managed or operated,
directly or indirectly, by the Partnership, the General Partner, EEI or any of their Affiliates
(“Related Properties”). To the extent that the Partnership proposes to use Units to acquire Oil
and Gas Interests which are not Related Properties, such issuance must be approved by a Majority
Vote of the Limited Partners. Upon the issuance of any Units, the General Partner (pursuant to the
General Partner’s power of attorney from the Limited Partners), without the consent at the time of
any Limited Partner (each Limited Partner hereby
consenting to such amendment) may amend any provision of this Partnership Agreement, and
execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record an amended Certificate of Limited
Partnership and whatever other documents may be required in connection therewith, as shall be
necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of additional Units. The General Partner is also
authorized to cause the issuance of any other type of security of the Partnership from time to time
to Partners or other Persons on terms and conditions established in the sole and complete
discretion of the General Partner; provided, however, that if such securities represent options,
rights or warrants to purchase Units or are convertible into Units, then such issuance must be
approved by a Majority Vote of the Limited Partners. The General Partner shall use its best
efforts to do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed
to do all things it deems to be necessary or advisable in connection with any such future issuance,
including, without limitation, compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any
federal, state or other governmental agency.
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4.5 Additional Capital Contributions. No Limited Partner who is not also a General
Partner and who does not participate in the control of the business of the Partnership shall have
any personal liability whatsoever, whether to the Partnership, to any of the Partners or to the
creditors of the Partnership for the debts of the Partnership or for any of its losses.
4.6 No Preemptive Rights. No Partner shall have any preemptive, preferential or other
right with respect to (a) additional capital contributions; (b) issuance or sale of Units or
Limited Partnership Interests, whether unissued or held as treasury Units or Limited Partnership
Interests; (c) issuance of any obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of the
Partnership whether or not convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying or accompanied by any
rights to receive, purchase or subscribe to any unissued Units or Limited Partnership Interests or
any Units or Limited Partnership Interest held as treasury Units of Limited Partnership Interests;
(d) issuance of any right of, subscription to or right to receive, or any warrant or option for the
purchase of, any of the foregoing securities; or (e) issuance or sale of any other securities that
may be issued or sold by the Partnership.
4.7 Capital Accounts. A separate Capital Account shall be maintained for each Partner
throughout the term of the Partnership. As funded and adjusted in accordance with this Agreement,
the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall as hereinafter described reflect the underlying economic
arrangements of the Partners.
4.7.1 Each such Capital Account shall be credited with:
(a) | any Capital Contributions by such Partner
(including cash and the Gross Asset Value of Contributed Property, net
of liabilities secured by such Contributed Property which the
Partnership assumes or takes subject to); and |
(b) | such Partner’s allocable share of Partnership
Profits and items in the nature of income and gains, including income
and gains exempt from tax, which are specially allocated pursuant to
Sections 5.3 or 5.4; |
and shall be debited with:
(a) | any distributions of cash to such Partner by
the Partnership from whatever source; |
(b) | any distributions of Partnership property to
such Partner to the extent of the Gross Asset Value thereof (net of any
liabilities secured by such distributed property which such Partner
assumes or takes subject to); |
(c) | such Partner’s allocable share of Partnership
losses and items in the nature of deductions or losses which are
specially allocated pursuant to Sections 5.3 or 5.4; |
(d) | such Partner’s distributive share of any
expenditures described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code; and |
(e) | such Partner’s distributive share of any
expenditures described in Section 709(a) of the Code which are not
deducted or amortized in accordance with Section 709(b) of the Code and
which have not otherwise been debited hereinabove. |
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4.7.2 In the event that (i) Partnership property is distributed other than pursuant to
the liquidation and dissolution of the Partnership, or (ii) an additional Partnership
Interest is acquired by any new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis
Capital Contribution, or (iii) the Partnership or a Partner’s Partnership Interest is
liquidated within the meaning of Regulations §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), the Capital Accounts of
the Partners shall be charged or credited with their respective distributive shares of the
unrealized income, gain, loss and deduction inherent in such property (and not previously
reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts) as would have been recognized by the
Partnership and allocated to each of the Partners had such property been disposed of by
taxable disposition for the fair market value thereof on the date of such distribution. For
purposes of this Section 4.7.2, the fair market value of any contributed or distributed
property shall be determined in accordance with Section 9.2 hereof.
4.7.3 The Partnership, solely for purposes of adjusting the Partners’ Capital Accounts,
will compute Simulated Depletion Allowances and simulated gain or loss on depletable
Partnership property at the Partnership level.
4.7.4 Upon a transfer of all or part of a Partner’s Partnership Interest, the Capital
Account of the transferor Partner that is attributable to the transferred Partnership
Interest shall carry over to the transferee thereof.
4.7.5 The determination and maintenance of the Partners’ Capital Accounts, and any
adjustments thereto, shall be made in a manner consistent with tax accounting and other
principles set forth in Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and applicable Regulations
thereunder, as finally determined for federal income tax purposes.
4.7.6 If, upon liquidation of the Partnership or the General Partner’s Partnership
Interest in accordance with the provisions of Regulations 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), the General
Partner should have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as determined under this
Section 4.8, then the General Partner shall contribute in cash to the capital of the
Partnership within ninety (90) days after the date of liquidation an amount equal to such
deficit. No Limited Partner shall be obligated to restore any deficit in its Capital
Account.
4.8 Limited Partner Liability. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere to the
contrary notwithstanding, the personal liability of each of the Limited Partners arising out of or
in any manner relating to the Partnership shall be limited to and shall not exceed the amount of
the initial (and subsequent, if any) Capital Contributions of such Limited Partner to the
Partnership.
4.9 Return of Contributions. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no
interest shall accrue or be paid on the Capital Contributions made by any Partner. The General
Partner shall not be personally liable for the return of the Capital Contributions of any Limited
Partner, nor for the return of any Partnership assets; provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not limit or restrict the General Partner’s obligations to restore deficits in its
Capital Account as provided in Section 4.7.6. No Partner shall have the right to withdraw or be
repaid any capital contributed by such Partner except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement. It is the intent of the Partners that, unless expressly stated otherwise in a written
notice to all the Partners by the Partnership, no distribution (or any part of any distribution)
made to any Partner pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a return or withdrawal of its
Capital Contribution, even if such distribution represents (in whole or in part) a distribution of
depreciation or any other non-cash item accounted for as a loss or deduction from or offset to
income. The distribution to a Partner, whether or not deemed to be a return of capital, shall be
deemed to be compromised within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act. Except as
expressly required under applicable law, any Limited Partner receiving a distribution shall
not be required to return any such distribution to the Partnership or any creditor of the
Partnership.
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ARTICLE V
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
5.1 Profits. Except as provided in Sections 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5(b), Profits for any
fiscal year shall be allocated in the following order and priority:
(a) First, Profits shall be allocated to the General Partner until the cumulative Profits
allocated pursuant to this Section 5.1(a) are equal to the cumulative Losses allocated to the
General Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(b) for all prior periods.
(b) The balance, if any, of Profits shall be allocated among the General Partner and the
Limited Partners in proportion to their respective Capital Contributions.
5.2 Losses. Except as provided in Section 5.4, Losses for any fiscal year shall be
allocated in the following order and priority:
(a) Except as provided in Section 5.2(b), all Losses shall be allocated among the General
Partner and the Limited Partners in proportion to their respective Capital Contributions.
(b) The Losses allocated pursuant to Section 5.2(a) shall not exceed the maximum amount of
Losses that can be so allocated without causing any Limited Partner who is not also a General
Partner to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any fiscal year. In the event
some but not all of the Limited Partners who are not also General Partners would have Adjusted
Capital Account Deficits as a consequence of an allocation of Losses pursuant to Section 5.2(a),
the limitation set forth in this Section 5.2(b) shall be applied on a Limited Partner by Limited
Partner basis so as to allocate the maximum permissible Loss to each Limited Partner who is not
also a General Partner under Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations. All Losses in excess
of the limitation set forth in this Section 5.2(b) shall be allocated to the General Partner.
5.3 Special Allocations.
(a) Except as provided in Section 5.3(d), in the event any Limited Partner who is not also a
General Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6) of the Regulations which create or increase an Adjusted
Capital Account Deficit for such Limited Partner, items of Partnership income and gain shall be
specially allocated to each such Limited Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate,
to the extent required by the Regulations, any Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such Limited
Partner as quickly as possible. This Section 5.3(a) is intended to comply with the “qualified
income offset” provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Regulations and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.
(b) In the event the adjusted tax basis of any Code Section 38 property that has been placed
in service by the Partnership is increased pursuant to Code Section 48(q), such increase shall be
specially allocated among the Partners (as an item in the nature of income or gain) in the same
proportions as the investment tax credit that is recaptured with respect to such property is shared
among the Partners.
(c) Except as provided in Section 5.3(d), in the event any Limited Partner who is not also a
General Partner has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Partnership fiscal year,
such Limited Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in the
amount of such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as quickly as possible.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, if there is a net decrease in
Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership fiscal year, each Limited Partner who would
otherwise have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of such year shall be specially
allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years)
in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as quickly as
possible. This allocation shall be made prior to any other allocations for such year. The items
to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(iv)(e) of the
Regulations. This Section 5.3(d) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback
requirement in such section of the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
13
(e) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to
Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such
adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases
the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss
shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their
Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such section of the Regulations.
(f) Any reduction in the adjusted tax basis (or cost) of Partnership Code Section 38 property
pursuant to Code Section 48(q) shall be specially allocated among the Partners (as an item in the
nature of expenses or losses) in the same proportions as the basis (or cost) of such property is
allocated pursuant to Regulations Section 1.46-3(f)(2)(i).
(g) Nonrecourse Deductions for any fiscal year or other period shall be allocated among the
General Partner and the Limited Partners in proportion to their respective Capital Contributions.
5.4 Curative Allocations.
The allocations set forth in Sections 5.2(b) (last sentence), 5.3(a), 5.3(c), 5.3(d), 5.3(e)
and 5.3(g) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b). The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner
in which the Partners intend to divide Partnership distributions. Accordingly, the General Partner
is hereby authorized to divide other allocations of Profits, Losses, net income or net losses among
the Partners so as to prevent the Regulatory Allocations from distorting the manner in which
Partnership distributions are intended to be divided among the Partners pursuant to this Article V.
In general, the Partners anticipate that this will be accomplished by specially allocating other
Profits, Losses, net income and net losses among the Partners so that the net amount of the
Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each Partner is zero. However, the General
Partner shall have discretion to accomplish this result in any reasonable manner.
5.5 Other Allocation Rules.
(a) The basis (or cost) of any Partnership Code Section 38 property shall be allocated among
the Partners in accordance with Regulations Section 1.46-3(f)(2)(i). All tax credits (other than
the investment tax credit) shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In the event Partnership Code Section 38 property is disposed of during any taxable year,
Profits for such taxable year (and, to the extent such Profits are insufficient, Profits for
subsequent taxable years) in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the reduction in the
adjusted tax basis (or cost) of such property pursuant to Code Section 48(q), over (ii) any
increase in the adjusted tax basis of such property pursuant to Code Section 48(q) caused by the
disposition of such property, shall be excluded from the Profits allocated pursuant to Section 5.1
and shall instead be allocated among the Partners in proportion to their respective shares of such
excess, determined pursuant to Sections 5.3(b) and 5.3(f). In the event more than one item of such
property is disposed of by the Partnership, the foregoing sentence shall apply to such items in the
order in which they are disposed of by the Partnership, so that Profits equal to the entire amount
of such excess with respect to the first such property disposed of shall be allocated prior to any
allocations with respect to the second such property disposed of, and so forth.
(c) For purposes of determining the Profits, Losses or any other items allocable to any
period, Profits, Losses and any such other items shall be determined on a daily, monthly or other
basis, as determined by the General Partner using any permissible method under Code Section 706 and
the Regulations thereunder.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all items of Partnership income, gain,
loss, deduction and any other allocations not otherwise provided for shall be divided among the
Partners in the same proportions as they share Profits or Losses, as the case may be, for the year.
14
5.6 Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c).
(a) In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss
and deduction with respect to any Contributed Property shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated
among the Partners so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such
property to the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and its initial Gross Asset Value.
(b) In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to
paragraph (2) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value” under Article I hereof, subsequent
allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of
any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes and its
Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder.
(c) Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by the General
Partner in any manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and intention of this Agreement.
Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.6 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local taxes
and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Partner’s Capital
Account or share of Profits, Losses, other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this
Agreement.
5.7 Initial Quarterly Distributions. For the Initial Quarters, the Partnership shall
make quarterly cash distributions of $.125 per Unit ($.50 per Unit on an annualized basis). The
Initial Distributions shall be made within forty-five (45) days following the end of an Initial
Quarter and shall be distributed in accordance with this Article V by the Partnership to the
Partners, as of the Record Date.
5.8 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions. With respect to calendar
quarters after the Initial Quarters, within forty-five (45) days following the end of each such
calendar quarter an amount equal to at least eighty percent (80%) of Net Available Cash with
respect to such quarter (or period) shall be distributed in accordance with this Article V by the
Partnership to the Partners, as of the Record Date.
ARTICLE VI
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
6.1 Management. The General Partner shall have full and exclusive power and authority
on behalf of the Partnership to manage, control, administer and operate the properties, business
and affairs of the Partnership and to do or cause to be done any and all acts deemed by the General
Partner to be necessary or appropriate thereto. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be
exclusively vested in the General partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any right of control
over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter
granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or which are granted to the
General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner shall have full
power and authority to do all things deemed necessary or desirable by it to conduct the business of
the Partnership in the name of the Partnership or in the General Partner’s own name, including,
without limitation, (i)
the determination of the Oil and Gas Interests in which the Partnership will participate; (ii)
the making of any expenditures, the borrowing of money, the guaranteeing of indebtedness and other
liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, and the incurring of any obligations it
deems necessary or advisable for the conduct of the activities of the Partnership; (iii) the
acquisition, disposition (subject to any prior approval of Limited Partners which may be required
by Section 10.4.5), mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the
assets of the Partnership; (iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including, without
limitation, cash on hand) for any Partnership purpose on any terms it sees fit, including, without
limitation, the financing of the conduct of the drilling activities and other operations of the
Partnership, the lending of funds to other Persons, the repayment of obligations of the
Partnership, the
15
conduct of additional Partnership operations, and the purchase of Oil and Gas
Interests; (v) the negotiation and execution on terms deemed desirable to the Partnership in its
sole discretion and the performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments that it
considers useful or necessary to the conduct of the Partnership’s operations or the implementation
of its powers under this Agreement; (vi) the distribution of Partnership cash; (vii) the selection
and dismissal of employees and outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the
determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring; (viii) the making of
all decisions concerning the desirability of payment, and the payment or supervision of payment, of
all delay rentals, shut-in royalty payments and similar payments; (ix) the maintenance of such
insurance for the benefit of the Partnership as it deems necessary; (x) the formation of any
limited or general partnerships, joint ventures or other relationships that it deems desirable, and
the contribution to such partnerships or ventures of assets and properties of the Partnership; (xi)
the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the
conduct of litigation and the incurring of legal expenses and the settlement of claims and
litigation; (xii) the purchase or other acquisition of Interests at such times and on such terms as
it deems to be in the best interests of the Partnership; and (xiii) the purchase, sale or other
acquisition or disposition of Units at such times and on such terms as it deems to be in the best
interests of the Partnership.
6.1.1 Each of the Partners hereby agrees that the General Partner is authorized to
execute, deliver and perform, and approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery
and performance of the agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in this
Agreement and the Final Prospectus on behalf of the Partnership without any further act,
approval or vote of the Partners or the Partnership, notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation. The
participation by the General Partner in any agreement authorized or permitted under this
Agreement shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General
Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners under this Agreement or under
applicable law.
6.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership. The General Partner has caused the
Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act and shall cause to be filed such amendments
thereto and other certificates or documents (including, without limitation, copies of this
Agreement) as may be determined by the General Partner to be reasonable and necessary or
appropriate for the formation or qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a
partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in
any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business. To the extent that the General
Partner in its sole discretion determines such action to be reasonable and necessary or
appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and/or restatements of the Certificate of
Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a
partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of
Delaware and any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business. Subject to
applicable law, the General Partner may in its discretion omit from the Certificate of Limited
Partnership and from any other certificates, instruments or documents filed in any other state to
qualify the Partnership to do business therein, and from all amendments thereto and restatements
thereof, the names and addresses of the Limited Partners and information relating to the Capital
Contributions and shares of profits and compensation of the Partners, or state such information in
the aggregate rather than with respect to each individual Partner. The General Partner shall not
be required to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership or any amendment
thereto or restatement thereof or any certificates or other instruments evidencing Units or a
Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest to any Limited Partner.
16
6.3 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, no lender or purchaser, including any purchaser of property from the Partnership
or any other Person dealing with the Partnership, shall be required to
look to the application of proceeds hereunder or to verify any representation by the General
Partner as to the extent of the interest in the assets of the Partnership that the General Partner
is entitled to encumber, sell or otherwise use, and any such lender or purchaser shall be entitled
to rely exclusively on the representations of the General Partner as to its authority to enter into
such financing or sale arrangements and shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner as if it
were the sole party in interest therein, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner and
Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against any
such lender, purchaser or other Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General
Partner in connection with any such sale or financing. In no event shall any Person dealing with
the General Partner or the General Partner’s representative with respect to any business or
property of the Partnership be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been
complied with, and each such Person shall be entitled to rely on the assumptions that the
Partnership has been duly formed and is validly in existence and that the Commencement Date shall
have occurred. In no event shall any such Person be obligated to inquire into the necessity or
expedience of any act or action of the General partner or the General Partner’s representative; and
every contract, agreement, deed, mortgage, security agreement, promissory note or other instrument
or document executed by the General Partner or the General Partner’s representative with respect to
any business or property of the Partnership shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every
Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and/or delivery
thereof this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) such instrument or document was duly
executed in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the
Partnership, and (c) the General Partner or the General Partner’s representative was duly
authorized and empowered to execute and deliver any and every such instrument or document for and
on behalf of the Partnership.
6.4 Limitations on Power of General Partner. The General Partner and its Affiliates
shall have no authority or power to:
(a) | do any act in contravention of this Agreement; |
(b) | do any act which would make it impossible to
carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership; |
(c) | possess Partnership property or assign the
rights of the Partnership in specific Partnership property for other
than a Partnership purpose; |
(d) | take any action with respect to the assets or
property of the Partnership which does not primarily benefit the
Partnership, including, among other things: (i) the utilization of
Partnership funds as compensating balances for its own benefit; (ii)
the commitment of future production; or (iii) the commingling of
Partnership funds with the funds of any other person or entity; |
||
(e) | borrow any money, funds or other assets of the
Partnership from the Partnership; |
||
(f) | make any advance payments to the General
Partner or its Affiliates; and |
||
(g) | take any action with respect to marketing
arrangements or other relationships affecting Partnership property
which does not primarily benefit the Partnership, including the
commitment of future production. |
6.5 Loans from the General Partner. The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may
lend to the Partnership funds needed by the Partnership for such periods of time as the General
Partner may determine; provided that (i) interest on such indebtedness shall not exceed (A) the
actual interest cost (including points or other financing charges or fees, if any) that the lending
General Partner or Affiliate is required to pay on funds borrowed by it, or (B) the interest rate
that would be charged the Partnership by unaffiliated third parties or banks on comparable loans
for the same purpose (without reference to the General Partner’s financial abilities or guarantees)
and (ii) the lending General Partner or Affiliate shall not receive points or other financing
charges regardless of the amount. The Partnership shall reimburse the General
Partner or Affiliate in connection with the borrowing of funds obtained by the lending General
Partner or Affiliate from an unaffiliated third party and loaned to the Partnership.
17
6.6 Duties of General Partner. The General Partner shall manage or cause to be
managed the affairs of the Partnership in a prudent and businesslike manner and shall devote such
part of its time to the Partnership affairs as is reasonably necessary for the conduct of such
affairs; provided, however, that it is expressly understood and agreed that the General Partner
shall not be required to devote its entire time or attention to the business of the Partnership nor
shall it be restricted in any manner from participating in other businesses or activities, despite
the fact that the same may be competitive with the business of the Partnership.
In carrying out its obligations, the General Partner shall:
(a) | as soon as practicable, but in no event later
than sixty (60) days, after the close of each fiscal quarter, except
the last fiscal quarter of each Partnership Year, furnish to each
Limited Partner and each Assignee of Record on the closing date of such
quarter a quarterly report for the fiscal quarter containing such
financial and other information as the General Partner deems
appropriate; |
(b) | furnish to the Limited Partners, within
seventy-five (75) days after the end of each fiscal year, a report
containing such information as is pertinent for tax purposes; |
(c) | furnish to the Partners an annual report within
one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Partnership, containing the following information: financial
statements, a balance sheet, a statement of operations, a statement of
Partners’ equity and a statement of cash flows, and report of an
independent certified public accountant stating that he has made an
examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of
such financial statements; |
(d) | furnish to the Limited Partners annually,
within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year,
a report prepared by a qualified independent petroleum consultant
setting forth a computation of the total oil and gas reserves of the
Partnership; such report shall be accompanied by a report setting forth
the dollar value thereof at then existing prices and of each Limited
Partner’s interest in such reserve value, which report shall include an
estimate of the time required for the extraction of such reserves and
the present worth of such reserves, with a statement that because of
the time period required to extract such reserves the present value of
reserves to be obtained in the future is less than if immediately
available; and |
(e) | maintain and preserve during the term of the
Partnership and for six (6) years thereafter all accounts, books, and
other relevant Partnership documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the General Partner may keep logs, well reports and other drilling data
confidential for a reasonable period of time. |
6.7 Indemnification and Liability. The Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless
the General Partner and its Affiliates which perform services on behalf of the Partnership from any
loss, liability or damage incurred by them while acting within the scope of the authority of the
General Partner and shall be held harmless by the Partnership so long as the following conditions
are met:
(a) | the General Partner has determined, in good
faith, that the course of conduct which caused the loss or liability
was in the best interests of the Partnership; and |
(b) | the General Partner and its Affiliates were
acting on behalf of or performing services for the Partnership; and |
(c) | such liability or loss was not the result of
negligence or misconduct by the General Partner or its Affiliates; and |
(d) | payments arising from such indemnification or
agreement to hold harmless are recoverable only out of Partnership
assets. |
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6.7.1 Notwithstanding the above, the General Partner and its Affiliates which perform
services on behalf of the Partnership and any person acting as a broker-dealer in
conjunction with the offer or sale of Units shall not be indemnified for any losses,
liabilities or expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal and state
securities laws unless (a) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each
count involving alleged securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee; or (b)
such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent
jurisdiction as to the particular indemnitee; or (c) a court of competent jurisdiction
approves a settlement of the claims against a particular indemnitee and finds that
indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court
considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and of the position of any state securities regulatory
authority in which Units were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of
securities laws. Provided, however, the court need only be advised of the positions of the
securities regulatory authorities of those states (i) which are specifically set forth in
this Agreement and (ii) in which plaintiffs claim they were offered or sold Units.
6.7.2 Advances from Partnership funds to the General Partner and its Affiliates for
legal expenses and other costs incurred as a result of any legal action initiated against
them for which indemnification is being sought is permissible if the Partnership has
adequate funds available and the following three conditions are satisfied: (a) the legal
action relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on
behalf of the Partnership; and (b) the legal action is initiated by a third party who is not
a Partner of the Partnership, or the legal action is initiated by a Partner and a court of
competent jurisdiction specifically approves such advancement; and (c) the General Partner
or its Affiliate undertake to repay the advanced funds to the Partnership, together with the
applicable legal rate of interest thereon, in cases in which they would not be entitled to
indemnification.
6.7.3 The Partnership shall not incur the cost of that portion of liability insurance
which insures any party against any liability the indemnification of which is hereby
prohibited; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not preclude the Partnership from
purchasing and paying for such types of insurance, including extended coverage liability and
casualty and workers’ compensation, as is customary in the oil and gas industry.
6.8 Right of General Partner to Pledge Its Interest. The General Partner shall have
the authority to cause the Partnership to pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber an undivided
percentage interest in the Partnership’s assets (provided that the percentage interest pledged,
mortgaged or otherwise encumbered does not exceed the General Partner’s beneficial interest in the
Partnership based upon its Percentage Interest in revenues as provided in Section 5.1 hereof) to
secure borrowings by the General Partner for its purposes. All repayments of any such borrowings
(including costs, interests or other charges) will be solely the obligations of the General
Partner, and in no event shall such repayments, costs, interest or other charges be charged to the
Partnership, or any of the Limited Partners. The terms of any such mortgage, pledge or encumbrance
shall specifically provide, however, that the mortgagee shall not be able to require or cause a
sale of any such Partnership property and that if any Partnership property subject thereto shall be
sold or otherwise disposed of for value by the Partnership, and the borrowings secured by such
pledge, mortgage or encumbrance shall be repaid in full prior to or in connection with such sale or
disposition, the General Partner’s interest therein shall be released from such mortgage, pledge or
encumbrance if such release is a condition of such sale or disposition.
6.9 Outside Activities. The General Partner, any Related Person of the General
Partner and any director, officer, partner or employee of the General
Partner or any Related Person of the General Partner shall be entitled to and may have
business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the
Partnership and may engage in Oil and Gas Activities and in any other businesses and activities,
including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership for their
own accounts and for the accounts of others, and may own interests in the same properties as those
in which the Partnership owns an interest, without having or incurring any obligation to offer any
interest in such properties, businesses or activities to the Partnership, Partner or Assignee, and
no other provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the General Partner, or any such
Person from conducting such other businesses and activities. To the extent that the General
Partner engages in Oil and Gas Activities for its own account or on behalf of the other
partnerships for which it serves as general partner or manager, it will take reasonable steps to
maintain current records sufficient to identify such activities as separate from those of the
Partnership. Neither the Partnership nor any of the Partners or Assignees shall have any rights by
virtue of this Agreement or the partnership relationship created hereby in any business venture of
the General Partner, any Related Person of the General Partner or any director, officer, partner or
employee of the General Partner or a Related Person of the General Partner. The General Partner
and any Related Person of the General Partner may acquire Units, in addition to those acquired by
any of such Persons on the Commencement Date, and shall be entitled to exercise all rights of an
Assignee or Limited Partner, as applicable, relating to such Units. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in the foregoing, in conducting any of such activities the General Partner shall not
be relieved of its fiduciary duty to the Partnership or the Limited Partners.
19
6.10 Partnership Funds. The funds of the Partnership shall be deposited in such
account or accounts as are designed by the General Partner. The General Partner may, in its sole
discretion, deposit funds of the Partnership in a central disbursing account maintained by or in
the name of the General Partner, which funds of the Partnership and other Persons are also
deposited, provided that at all times books of account are maintained which show the amount of
funds of the Partnership on deposit in such account and interest accrued with respect to such funds
as credited to the Partnership. All withdrawals from or charges against such accounts shall be
made by the General Partner, or by its officers or agents. Funds of the Partnership may be
invested as determined by the General Partner, except in connection with acts otherwise prohibited
by this Agreement.
6.11 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Partnership,
whether by the General Partner and/or EMC, shall be expenses of the Partnership and shall be paid
by the Partnership.
6.12 Further Limitations and Restrictions. The powers and authorities granted the
General Partner over the conduct of the affairs of the Partnership shall be subject to the
following limitations and restrictions:
(a) | Sales and Purchases. Neither the
General Partner nor any Affiliate of the General Partner shall sell,
transfer or convey any Lease or other property to, or purchase any
Lease or other property from, the Partnership, directly or indirectly,
except pursuant to transactions that are fair and reasonable to the
Partnership and then subject to the following conditions: |
(i) | In the case of a sale, transfer
or conveyance to the Partnership of a Lease or other property
(other than oil, gas or liquid production) by the General
Partner, or an Affiliate of the General Partner, who has held
such Lease or other property for twelve months or less prior to
such transfer, the Lease or other property shall be sold,
transferred or conveyed to the Partnership at a price that is
equal to the lower of the cost of such Lease or other property
to such General Partner or Affiliate or the fair market value of
such Lease or other property as determined by the General
Partner using such reasonable methods of valuation as it deems
appropriate. |
||
(ii) | In the case of a sale, transfer
or conveyance to the Partnership of a Lease or other property
(other than oil, gas or liquid production) by the
General Partner, or an Affiliate of the General Partner, who
has held such Lease or other property for more than twelve
months, the Lease or other property shall be sold,
transferred or conveyed to the Partnership at a price that is
equal to the fair market value of such Lease or other
property as determined by the General Partner using such
reasonable methods of valuation as it deems appropriate. |
||
(iii) | In the case of a sale, transfer
or conveyance by the Partnership to the General Partner or any
of its Affiliates of a Lease or other property (other than oil,
gas or liquid production) that has been held by the Partnership
for twelve months or less, the Lease or other property shall be
sold, transferred or conveyed to such General Partner or
Affiliate at a price that is equal to the higher of the cost of
such Lease or other property to the Partnership or the fair
market value of such Lease or other property as determined by
the General Partner using such reasonable methods of valuation
as it deems appropriate. |
||
(iv) | In the case of a sale, transfer
or conveyance by the Partnership to the General Partner or any
of its Affiliates of a Lease or other property (other than oil,
gas or liquid production) that has been held by the Partnership
for more than twelve months, the Lease or other property shall
be sold, transferred or conveyed to such General Partner or
Affiliate at a price that is equal to the fair market value of
such Lease or other property as determined by the General
Partner using such reasonable methods of valuation as it deems
appropriate. |
20
In the case of a sale, transfer or conveyance to the Partnership of
an Oil and Gas Interest by the General Partner or an Affiliate of the
General Partner, such General Partner or Affiliate shall not retain
any overriding royalty interest or other burden.
(b) | Farm Outs. The Partnership’s Leases
may not be Farmed Out unless the General Partner, exercising the
standard of a prudent operator, determines that (i) the Partnership
lacks sufficient funds to drill on the Leases and cannot obtain
suitable financing for such drilling, (ii) the Leases have been
downgraded by events occurring after assignment to the Partnership to
the point that drilling would no longer be desirable to the
Partnership, (iii) drilling on the Leases would result in an excessive
concentration of Partnership funds in one location creating in the
opinion of the General Partner undue risk to the Partnership or (iv)
the best interest of the Partnership would be served by the Farm Out.
The Partnership shall not enter into any Farm Out agreement with the
General Partner or any of its Affiliates unless the General Partner,
exercising the standard of a prudent operator, determines that such
agreement is in the best interests of the Partnership and the terms of
such agreement are consistent with, and in any case no less favorable
than, those used in that geographic area for similar arrangements. |
(c) | Equipment, Supplies and Services.
Neither the General Partner nor any Affiliate of the General Partner
shall render to the Partnership any oil field, equipage or other
services nor sell or lease to the Partnership any equipment or supplies
unless: |
(i) | Such entity is engaged,
independently of the Partnership and as an ordinary and ongoing
business, in the business of rendering such services or selling
or leasing such equipment and supplies to a substantial extent
to other persons in the industry in addition to
programs in which the General Partner or any Affiliates of
the General Partner have an interest; and |
||
(ii) | The compensation, price or rental
therefore is competitive with the compensation, price or rental
of other persons in the area engaged in the business of
rendering comparable services or selling or leasing comparable
equipment and supplies which could reasonably be made available
to the Partnership. |
If such entity is not engaged in the business as required by Section
6.12(c)(i) above, then such compensation, price or rental shall be
the cost of such services, equipment or supplies to such entity, or
the competitive rate which could be obtained in the area, whichever
is less.
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6.13 Options to Acquire Repurchased Units. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, the General Partner shall have the authority to grant options to acquire a portion
of the Units repurchased by the Partnership in any year to certain of its (or its affiliates)
officers and employees. These grants will be made simultaneous with the expiration of the annual
Repurchase Offer and the options must be exercised within three (3) business days of the grant.
The optionees will exercise the options by delivering written notice to the Partnership and paying
the option purchase prices, which shall be the price equal to the cash purchase price paid by the
Partnership to repurchase Units from the Unitholders as provided in Section 11.4 of this Agreement.
No optionee may transfer or assign the option granted to him prior to exercise. Any optionee
acquiring Units shall be admitted as a Limited Partner in accordance with the provisions of
Article VIII (including Section 8.6) hereof.
ARTICLE VII
RIGHTS AND PROHIBITIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
7.1 Rights of Limited Partners.
(a) In addition to any other rights specifically set forth herein, Limited Partners shall not
in any way be prohibited from or restricted in engaging or owning an interest in any other business
venture of any nature, including any venture which might be competitive with the business of the
Partnership, and the Partnership may engage Limited Partners or persons or firms associated with
them for specific purposes and may otherwise deal with such Limited Partners on terms and for
compensation to be agreed upon by any such Limited Partners and the Partnership.
(b) Each Limited Partner shall be entitled to (i) have the Partnership’s books kept at the
principal place of business of the Partnership and at all times, after the receipt of adequate
notice and during reasonable business hours, inspect and copy any of them; (ii) have lists of all
of the Limited Partners kept at the principal place of business of the Partnership, and at all
times, during reasonable business hours, inspect and copy such lists or, upon request either in
person or by mail, to receive a copy of such lists for the costs of reproduction and mailing; (iii)
have on demand true and full information of all matters affecting the Partnership and a formal
account of Partnership affairs whenever circumstances render it just and reasonable; (iv) have
dissolution and winding up of the Partnership as provided by this Agreement; and (v) have such
additional rights as are elsewhere provided in this Agreement.
7.2 Prohibitions with Respect to Limited Partners. No Limited Partner shall have the
right:
(a) | other than as set forth specifically herein, to
take part in the management and control of the Partnership or to sign
on behalf of or otherwise bind the Partnership, such power being vested
solely in the General Partner; |
(b) | to have his Capital Contribution repaid except
to the extent provided in this Agreement, to demand property other than
cash in payment of his Capital Contribution or to receive interest on
his Capital Contribution; |
(c) | to require partition of Partnership property or
to compel any sale or appraisement of Partnership assets, or sale of a
deceased Partner’s interest therein, notwithstanding any provisions of
law to the contrary; or |
(d) | to sell or assign his interest in the
Partnership or to constitute the vendee or assignee thereunder a
substituted limited partner, as the case may be, except as provided in
Article IX hereof. |
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ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
8.1 Transfer of Interests.
(a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Article with respect to a Partnership Interest or
Unit, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction by which a holder of a Partnership Interest or Unit
assigns such Partnership Interest or Unit to another person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift,
pledge, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise.
(b) No Partner may transfer all or any portion of his interest in the Partnership, except as
specifically provided in this Article VIII. Furthermore, no transfer of any such interest shall
constitute the assignee a substitute limited partner, except as specifically provided in this
Article VIII.
8.2 Requirements of Transfer. No transfer by a Partner may be made if the Partnership
interests sought to be transferred, when added to the total of all other Partners’ interests
transferred within the period of twelve (12) months prior thereto, would result in the termination
of the Partnership under Section 708 of the Code, or any successor section thereto. No Partnership
Interests, Units or any portion thereof shall be transferred or assignable in a secondary market or
the substantial equivalent of a secondary market (as that term is defined in Section 7704 of the
Code) and the General Partner shall be authorized and empowered to refuse to recognize any
purported transfer of Partnership Interests or Units (or any portion thereof) which, considered
together with all other transfers of Interests in such taxable year, would cause the “Five Percent
Safe Harbor” set forth in Section II.C.1. of Notice 88-75, 1988-2 C.B. 386 (or any comparable
successor safe harbor adopted from time to time under Section 7704 of the Code), not to be
satisfied. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article VIII, no transfer of any
Partnership Interest or Unit shall be made if such transfer (i) would violate the then applicable
federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authorities with jurisdiction
over such transfer, (ii) would result in the taxation of the Partnership as a corporation or as an
association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or (iii) would affect the
Partnership’s existence or qualification as a limited partnership under the Delaware Act.
8.3 General Partner.
(a) The General Partner Interest may be transferred, in whole or in part, only as hereinafter
provided in this Section 8.3, except where (i) such transfer is by reason of a consolidation of the
transferor General Partner with a corporation or entity or a transfer of all or substantially all
of the assets of the transferor General Partner to another Person or (ii) such transfer is to a
Person or Persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with the transferor General
Partner, in any of which events, the surviving corporation or the transferee, as the case may be,
shall become the General Partner of the Partnership and shall succeed to and enjoy the rights and
privileges and bear the obligations and burdens of the transferor General Partner. Each Limited
Partner hereby irrevocably grants his consent to a transfer by the General Partner of all or part
of its General Partner
Interest to the extent permitted by the preceding sentence and, upon such transfer, the
transferor General Partner shall be released from its obligations under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no transfer of the General Partner Interest shall be effective if it
would result in a termination of the Partnership as described in Section 8.2 hereof or if it would
have a material adverse affect on the Limited Partners.
(b) Except as provided in Section 8.3(a), the General Partner may not transfer its General
Partner Interest.
8.4 Death, Etc. of Partners. The death, incompetency or bankruptcy of a Limited
Partner shall not dissolve or terminate the Partnership. Upon the death, incompetency or
bankruptcy of such a Partner, his executor, administrator or representative shall have the same
rights that such Partner would have had under this Agreement had he not died or become bankrupt or
incompetent, and the requirements of Sections 8.2, 8.5 and 8.8 shall not be applicable. The
successor in interest of such Partner shall be admitted as a substituted limited partner, however,
only after the conditions of Section 8.6 have been met.
23
8.5 Assignment by Partners. A Limited Partner may transfer any of his Limited
Partnership Interest subject to the conditions set forth in Sections 8.2, 8.7 and 8.8. The
assignee of such Partner shall be admitted as a substituted limited partner, as the case may be,
however, only after the conditions of Section 8.6 have been met.
8.6 Substituted Limited Partner. The assignee or successor in interest of a Limited
Partner may become a substituted limited partner, as the case may be, only when:
(a) | the General Partner shall have consented
thereto, and such consent may be withheld by the General Partner in its
sole discretion; |
(b) | the assignee shall have expressed his intention
to become a substituted limited partner and his acceptance and adoption
of all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and any amendments
hereto (including, without limitation, the restrictions imposed under
this Article VIII) by becoming a party to this Agreement by executing a
Substitute Limited Partner Counterpart Signature Page; |
(c) | such certificates or instruments as are
required by law shall have been executed and filed; and |
(d) | the assignor or the assignee shall have paid or
obligated himself to pay all reasonable expenses (as the General
Partner may determine) connected with such admission or substitution. |
If such an assignee or successor is not admitted as a substituted limited partner, such
transferee shall be an Assignee, with the rights granted to an Assignee pursuant to this Agreement.
A transferor shall only have the authority to convey to a purchaser or other transferee who does
not execute and deliver a Transfer and Assignment Form, however, (i) the right to negotiate such
Unit to a purchaser or other transferee and (ii) the right to transfer the right to request
admission as a Substituted Limited Partner to such purchaser or other transferee in respect of the
transferred Units. Each transferee of a Unit (including any Person, such as a broker, dealer,
bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee holder or an agent of any of the
foregoing, acquiring such Unit for the account of another Person) shall apply to become a
Substituted Limited Partner with respect to Units transferred to such Person by executing and
delivering a Transfer and Assignment Form at the time of such transfer. A Record Holder of a Unit
shall be an Assignee at and from the close of business on the business day on which a properly
executed Transfer and Assignment Form is received by the Partnership until the date such Record
Holder is admitted to the Partnership as a Substituted Limited Partner, with the rights granted to
an Assignee pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, a
Non-Eligible Assignee shall not be entitled to admission as a Substituted Limited Partner nor to
the rights of an Assignee. The admission of an Assignee as a
Substituted Limited partner shall be effected without the consent of any of the Partners other
than the General Partner. Each Limited Partner hereby agrees that consent of the General partner
constitutes his consent under this provision.
8.7 Restrictions on Substituted Limited Partners. A Limited Partner’s interest in the
Partnership or any portion thereof shall not be transferred to any person who is insane,
incompetent or has not attained the age of majority, or to a person or entity not lawfully
empowered to own such interest, and any transfer directly to a person or entity under such
disability may be disregarded by the Partnership, in its discretion; provided, however, that such a
Partner may transfer his interest free of any restrictions and conditions imposed by this Section
8.7 to a trust for the benefit of his spouse and/or issue or to a custodianship for his minor
issue, notwithstanding the legal disability of such beneficiaries.
8.8 Effectiveness of Assignment. No transfer of the interest of any Partner shall be
effective with respect to the Partnership unless and until (i) a written instrument of transfer in
a form satisfactory to the General Partner has been executed and filed with the Partnership; and
(ii) payment is made to the Partnership of its reasonable expenses in connection with such
transfer.
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8.9 Admission of Initial Limited Partners. On the Closing Date and from time to time
thereafter, the General Partner shall admit to the Partnership those Limited Partners who have
signed and delivered to the Partnership a Transfer and Assignment Form. Each such party shall
execute a counterpart of this Agreement (either individually or by its attorney or agent) and
thereby agree to be bound by the terms hereof as a Limited Partner.
8.10 Admission of Additional Partners.
(a) Upon the consent of the General Partner, a Person (other than an Initial Limited Partner
or a General Partner making a Capital Contribution pursuant to Section 4.2 or Section 4.3) who
makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership shall be admitted to the Partnership as an
Additional Limited Partner upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) acceptance, in form
satisfactory to the General Partner, of all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 14.14, (ii) an Eligibility
Certification, and (iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect his
admission as a Limited Partner, and such admission shall become effective on the date that such
conditions have been satisfied and such Additional Limited Partner is reflected as a Limited
Partner on the books and records of the Partnership.
(b) Upon the consent of the General Partner, a person who makes a Capital Contribution to the
Partnership may be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional General Partner. In such event
this Agreement will be amended to establish the rights and duties of such Additional General
Partner. Each Limited Partner hereby agrees that consent of the General Partner constitutes his
consent under these provisions.
8.11 Admission of Successor General Partner. A successor General Partner selected
pursuant to Section 9.1 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s
Partnership Interest as General Partner pursuant to Section 8.3(a) shall be admitted to the
Partnership as the General Partner, effective as of the date of the removal of the predecessor
General Partner or the date of such transfer of such predecessor’s Partnership Interest as General
Partner. To the extent required by the laws of any jurisdiction to which the Partnership or the
Partnership Agreement is subject, the Partners unanimously consent to the admission of such
successor General Partner pursuant to this Section 8.11.
8.12 Special Transfer Restrictions. Certain Persons who are members or who were
general partners of the General Partner (Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx) (the “Bonus Participants”) have received shares of EEI
common stock pursuant to a bonus arrangement authorized by EEI’s Board of Directors on August 15,
1990 (the “Stock Bonus Shares”). Such Stock Bonus Shares are non-transferable but may and will be
exchanged for Units pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Units received by the Bonus Participants
in exchange for their Stock Bonus Shares (the “Restricted Units”) shall be treated as all other
Units for any purpose under this Agreement except that (i) such Restricted Units may not be
tendered to the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.1 and
(ii) such Restricted Units may not be transferred (within the meaning of Section 8.1(a)
hereof) during the term of this Agreement.
8.13 Amendment of Agreement and of Certificate of Limited Partnership. In connection
with the admission to the Partnership of any successor General partner, any Additional General
Partner or any Limited Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate
to prepare and record or file any amendment or restatement of this Agreement, the Certificate of
Limited Partnership or any similar document that may be required with respect to such admission,
and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 14.14.
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ARTICLE IX
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
9.1 Withdrawal or Removal of General Partner.
(a) Everflow Management Company covenants and agrees that it shall continue to act as General
Partner of the Partnership and shall not voluntarily withdraw as General Partner.
(b) The General Partner may be removed upon a Majority Vote of the Limited Partners. Such
removal shall be effective upon the admission of the successor General Partner pursuant to this
Article IX. Any such action by the Limited Partners for removal of the General Partner must also
provide for the election of a new General Partner. The right of the Limited Partners to remove the
General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of
Counsel that the removal of the General Partner and the selection of a successor General Partner
will not result in (i) the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner (other than the
successor General Partner) or (ii) the treatment of the Partnership as an association taxable as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes.
(c) If, under the laws of any jurisdiction to which the Partnership or the Partnership
Agreement is subject, the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner pursuant to Section 9.1
results in the Partnership being dissolved, then the Partnership shall be deemed dissolved and
reconstituted. To the extent required by the laws of any jurisdiction to which the Partnership or
this Agreement is subject, the Partners unanimously consent to the continuation and/or
reconstitution of the Partnership pursuant to this Section 9.1(c).
9.2 Interest of Departing Partner and Successor.
(a) If (i) the General Partner involuntarily withdraws or (ii) the General Partner is removed
by the Limited Partners, its successor or the Partnership shall have the option to purchase the
Departing Partner’s General Partner Interest as the General Partner for an amount in cash equal to
the fair market value of the Departing Partner’s General Partner Interest as General Partner, such
amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure. If the option is
exercised, the Departing Partner shall, as of the effective date of its departure, cease to share
in any allocations or distributions with respect to its Partnership Interest as the General Partner
and Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit will be prorated and allocated as set
forth in Article V hereof.
For purposes of this Section 9.2(a), the fair market value of the Departing Partner’s General
Partner Interest as the General Partner herein shall be determined by agreement between the
Departing Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within thirty (30) days after the
effective date of such Departing Partner’s departure, by an independent investment banking firm or
other independent expert selected by the Departing Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may
rely on other experts and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If
such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other
independent expert within forty-five (45) days after the effective date of such departure,
then such firm shall be designated by the independent investment banking firm or other independent
expert selected by each of the Departing Partner and its successor. In making its determination,
such independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall take into account
appropriate discount factors in light of the risk of recovery of oil and gas reserves, and, in any
event, will utilize a risk factor discount no less than that utilized in the most recent offer
extended pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof.
(b) If the Departing Partner’s General Partner Interest is not acquired in the manner set
forth in Section 9.2(a) hereof, the Departing Partner shall become a Limited Partner and its
Interest as a General Partner shall be converted into Units pursuant to a valuation made by an
investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 9.2(a) hereof,
without reduction in such Partner Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the
admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing Partner
as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the
Departing Partner becomes a Limited Partner.
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(c) If the option described in Section 9.2(a) hereof is not exercised by the party entitled to
do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the
Partnership, contribute to the capital of the Partnership cash in an amount such that its Capital
Account, after giving effect to such contribution, shall be equal to that percentage of the Capital
Accounts of all Partners that is equal to its Percentage Interest as the General Partner. In such
event, each successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to such
Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions and any other allocations and
distributions to which the Departing Partner was entitled. In addition, such successor General
Partner shall cause this Partnership Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the
date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all
Partnership distributions and allocations shall be 1.0%, and that of the Unitholders shall be 99%.
(d) The method of payment for such Interest must be fair and must protect the solvency and
liquidity of the Partnership. The method of payment in the event of a purchase by the Partnership
will be deemed presumptively fair where it provides for an interest bearing promissory note coming
due in no less than five years with equal installments each year.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE; CONSENTS
10.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by General Partner. The General Partner
(pursuant to the General Partner’s powers of attorney from the Limited Partners and Assignees),
without the consent of any Limited Partner or Assignee, may amend any provision of this Agreement,
and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in
connection therewith, to reflect:
(a) | a change in (i) the name of the Partnership, (ii) the registered office or
registered agent of the Partnership, or (iii) the location of the United States office of
the Partnership;
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(b) | admission, substitution or termination of Partners in accordance with this
Agreement; |
(c) | a change that the General Partner has determined is reasonable and necessary or
appropriate to qualify or reform or continue the qualification or reformation of the
Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have
limited liability under the laws of any state or that is necessary or advisable in the
opinion of the General Partner to ensure that the Partnership will not be treated as an
association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes;
|
(d) | a change (i) that the General Partner has determined does not adversely affect the
Limited Partners in any material respect, (ii) that is necessary or desirable to satisfy any
requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or
regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal
or state statute, or (iii) that is required or contemplated by this Agreement;
|
(e) | an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of counsel to the Partnership, to
prevent the Partnership or the General Partner or its respective partners, employees or
agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset”
regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed
by the United States Department of Labor;
|
(f) | a change in any provision of this Agreement that requires any action to be taken by
any Limited Partner or Assignee pursuant to the requirements of the Delaware Act if the
Delaware Act is amended or modified so that the taking of such action is no longer required;
or
|
(g) | an amendment that in the sole discretion of the General Partner is necessary or
desirable in connection with (i) the authorization for issuance or issuance of any Units
pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.4.
|
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10.2 Amendment Procedures. Except as provided in Section 10.1 and 10.3, all
amendments to this Agreement shall be in accordance with the following requirements. Amendments of
this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner or by holders of at least ten percent
(10%) of the Percentage Partnership Interests of the Limited Partners. If an amendment is
proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written consent of the requisite Percentage
Partnership Interests of the Limited partners or call a meeting of the Limited Partners to consider
and vote on such proposed amendment. Except as otherwise provided in the following sentence, a
proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by a Majority Vote of the Limited Partners
unless a greater percentage is required by this Agreement. With respect to any change,
modification or amendment to this Agreement which would (a) increase or extend the liability,
obligations or duties of the General Partner, or the terms thereof, (b) change the contributions
required of the General Partner, (c) provide for any reallocations of profits, losses or deductions
or otherwise affect the General Partner’s Partnership Interest to the detriment of the General
Partner, (d) establish any new priority in one or more Partners as to the return of contributions
or as to profits, losses, deductions or distributions to the detriment of the General Partner, (e)
change the purpose or business of the Partnership, (f) reduce or modify the terms of any
compensation provided to the General Partner under this Agreement, (g) impose any additional
restrictions on the General Partner, (h) in the opinion of the General Partner, adversely affect
the tax status of the Partnership, or (i) otherwise change or modify the rights, duties or
obligations of the General Partner under this Agreement, such change, modification or amendment
shall not be effective without the written consent or approval of the General Partner. The General
Partner shall notify all Partners upon final adoption of any proposed amendment.
10.3 Amendment Requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 10.1 and 10.2, the consent of the General
Partner and Limited Partners holding at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the Percentage Interests
of the Limited Partners shall be required for any amendment unless the Partnership has received an
Opinion of Counsel that such amendment would not result in the loss of limited liability of any
Limited Partner or result in the Partnership being treated as an association taxable as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes, unless such is already the case.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3(a), no provision of this
Agreement which establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners required to take any action shall
be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect which would have the effect of
reducing such voting requirement, unless such is approved by written consent or the affirmative
vote of Limited Partners whose aggregate Percentage Interests constitute not less than the voting
requirement sought to be reduced. This Section 10.3(b) shall only be amended with the approval by
written consent or affirmative vote of Limited Partners whose
aggregate Percentage Interests constitute at least ninety-five (95%) of the aggregate
Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners. The voting requirements contained in Section 11.3(a)
and this Section 10.3(b) shall be in addition to voting requirements imposed by law or other
provisions contained herein.
10.4 Voting Rights of Limited Partners. The Limited Partners shall have the rights
enumerated in the following provisions of this Section 10.4.
10.4.1 At a meeting called for the purpose, remove the General Partner as provided in
Section 9.1(b) and, upon such removal, elect a substitute general partner.
10.4.2 At a meeting called for the purpose, elect a substitute general partner in the
event of the involuntary withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership, subject to
the provisions of Article IX hereof.
10.4.3 At a meeting called for the purpose, elect to terminate the Partnership pursuant
to Section 12.1(e), or elect to continue the Partnership in accordance with the last
paragraph of Section 12.1.
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10.4.4 At a meeting called for the purpose, amend this Agreement pursuant to Section
10.2 hereof.
10.4.5 The General Partner shall not sell all, or substantially all, of the assets of
the Partnership unless, at a meeting called for the purpose, the Limited Partners authorize
the sale of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Partnership.
10.4.6 At a meeting called for the purpose, vote that any contract for services between
the Partnership and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall be
cancelled, without penalty, upon sixty (60) days’ advance written notice.
10.4.7 Unless a different percentage is expressly provided for in this Agreement, all
of the foregoing rights of the Partners shall be exercised by at least a Majority Vote of
the Limited Partners voting as a single class.
10.4.8 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the exercise of the foregoing rights by Limited
Partners shall be subject to the following conditions precedent to their existence and
exercise: (a) that the existence and exercise of such rights does not subject the Limited
Partners to unlimited liability pursuant to state law and/or subject the Partnership to
being treated as an association taxable as a corporation for Federal income tax purposes;
and (b) that, in the case of rights described in Subsections 10.4.1 through 10.4.6
inclusive, prior to the exercise thereof, the Partnership and the Limited Partners shall
have received an Opinion of Counsel that neither the grant nor the exercise thereof will so
subject the Limited Partners or the Partnership as approved by Limited Partners owning a
majority of the Units. Such opinion shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Limited
Partners owning a majority of the Units.
10.5 Meetings. All acts of Limited Partners to be taken hereunder shall be taken in
the manner provided in this Article X. Meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the
General partner or by Limited Partners owning at least ten percent (10%) of the Percentage
Interests of the Limited Partners. Limited Partners shall call a meeting by delivering to the
General Partner one or more calls in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call
a meeting, indicating the general or specific purposes for which the meeting is to be called and
specifying the number of Units held by such Limited Partners. Within fifteen (15) days after
receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably
necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations or similar
requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a
meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners. A meeting
shall be held at a time and place determined by the General partner on a date not less than thirty
(30) nor more than sixty (60) days after the mailing of notice of the meeting. Limited Partners
shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in
the control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to subject the Limited partners to
unlimited liability.
10.6 Notice of a Meeting. Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 10.5 shall
be given to the Limited Partners in writing either personally or by mail or other means of written
communication in accordance with Section 14.4. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at
the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written
communication.
10.7 Record Date. For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice
of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give consents without a meeting as
provided in Section 10.11, the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than
ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting (unless such requirement
conflicts with any applicable law or rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any stock
exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case such law or rule,
regulation, guideline or requirement of such stock exchange shall govern).
10.8 Adjournment. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need
not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and
place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such
adjournment shall be for more than forty-five (45) days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership
may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the
adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article
XI.
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10.9 Waiver of Notice; Consent to Meeting; Approval of Minutes. The transactions of
any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and wherever held, are as valid as
though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in
person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the Limited Partners
entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent
to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All waivers, consents and
approvals shall be filed with the Partnership records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting,
except when the Limited Partner objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a
meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required to be
included in the notice of the meeting but not so included, if the objection is expressly made at
the meeting.
10.10 Quorum. A Majority Interest represented in person or by proxy shall constitute
a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners. Notwithstanding anything elsewhere provided in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Limited Partners shall be entitled to vote on, consent to or approve
of matters only (i) as provided in this Agreement or to the extent that such actions by the Limited
Partners do not constitute participating in the business of the Partnership under the Delaware Act
and (ii) as submitted to them by the General Partner or by the holders of at least ten percent
(10%) of the Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners. At any meeting of the Limited partners
duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of
Limited Partners whose Percentage Interests represent a majority of the Percentage Interests
entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute
the act of all Limited Partners, unless a higher percentage is required with respect to such action
under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of Limited Partners owning such
higher percentage shall be required. To the extent that the laws of any jurisdiction to which the
Partnership or this Agreement is subject require that certain actions of the Limited Partners under
this Agreement be unanimous, any action taken by the Limited Partners pursuant to and in accordance
with the preceding sentence shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners and, in
such event, each Limited Partner that does not vote for, consent to or approve of such matter
hereby agrees to be bound by the decision of the Limited Partners taking such action and hereby
approves such action to the extent such approval is required for such matter to be effective under
the laws of such jurisdiction. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at
which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the
withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than
adjournment) is approved by the requisite percentage of interests of Limited Partners specified in
this Agreement. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from
time to time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Percentage Interests represented
either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in
Section 10.8.
10.11 Conduct of Meeting. The General Partner shall have full power and authority
concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of consents
in writing, including, without limitation, the determination of persons entitled to vote, the
existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 10.5, the conduct of voting,
the validity and effect of any proxies, votes or consents, and the determination of any
controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The
General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further
designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting, in either case including, without
limitation, a Partner or a director or officer of a General Partner. All minutes shall be kept
with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may
make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem
advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of consents
in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and
duties of the inspectors of votes and consents, the submission and examination of proxies and other
evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of consents in writing.
30
10.12 Action Without a Meeting. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the
Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so
taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum Percentage Interests that
would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited partners
were present and voted. To the extent that the laws of any jurisdiction to which the Partnership
or the Partnership Agreement is subject require that any action of the Limited Partners under this
Agreement be unanimous, any action taken by the Limited partners pursuant to and in accordance with
the preceding sentence shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners and, in such
event, each Limited Partner that does not execute such written consent hereby agrees to be bound by
the decision of the Limited Partners executing such consent and hereby approves such action to the
extent such approval is required for such matter to be effective under the laws of such
jurisdiction. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the
Limited Partners who have not consented in writing. The General Partner may specify that any
written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting
shall be returned to the Partnership within the time, not less than twenty (20) days, specified by
the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held
by the Limited Partner, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the
Units which were not voted. If consent to the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is
solicited by any person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written consent
shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care
of the General partner, (b) consents sufficient to take the action proposed, including a consent to
the General partner, if required, are dated as of a date not more than ninety days prior to the
date sufficient consents are deposited with the Partnership, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is
delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action
proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) shall not cause the Limited Partners
to be deemed to be taking part in the control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as
to subject the Limited Partners to unlimited liability, (ii) will not cause the Partnership or any
Operating Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income
tax purposes, and (iii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the
rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners and Assignees.
10.13 Voting and Other Rights.
(a) Only those Record Holders of Units who are Limited Partners on the Record Date set
pursuant to Section 10.7 shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at, a meeting of the Limited
Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which consents are solicited. With respect to
Units that are held by persons who have not been admitted as Limited Partners, the General Partner
will be deemed to be the Limited Partner with respect to such Units and will vote such Units in the
same percentages as the other Units have been voted with respect to a particular matter.
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person, such as a
broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing,
in whose name the Units are registered, such broker, dealer or other agent shall, in exercising the
voting rights in respect of
such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise,
vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person on whose behalf such broker,
dealer or other agent is holding such Units and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is
so acting without further inquiry.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a General Partner that is also a Limited
Partner may vote its Percentage Interest represented by Units on any matter submitted to the
Limited Partners for consideration in such manner as it in its sole discretion shall determine.
(d) As to any matter that may be voted on by the Limited Partners, the Limited Partners may
vote in person or by proxy, and such proxy may be granted in writing, by means of electronic
transmission or as otherwise permissible by applicable law. A consent transmittal by electronic
transmission by a Limited Partner (or by a person or persons authorized to act for a Limited
Partner) shall be deemed to be written and signed for purposes of this Article X. For purposes of
this subsection, the term “electronic transmission” means any form of communication not directly
involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved
and reviewed by a recipient thereof and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a
recipient through an automated process.
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ARTICLE XI
REPURCHASE RIGHT
11.1 Repurchase Right. Beginning in 1992 and annually thereafter each Unitholder will
have the right to present a portion or all of his Units to the Partnership for purchase, and the
Partnership shall be obligated to purchase such Units, subject to the conditions and limitations
contained in this Article XI. The Partnership will not be obligated to purchase in any one
calendar year more than ten percent (10%) of the Units outstanding on the Closing Date and shall
not purchase more Units in any 12-month period if such a purchase might have any of the adverse
effects described in Section 8.2 of this Agreement. The cash purchase price per Unit to be paid
during a particular year will be an amount equal to 66% of the Adjusted Book Value as of January 1
of such year (the “Valuation Date”), determined according to Section 11.2, divided by the total
number of Units outstanding as of the Valuation Date, and adjusted for distributions, if any, as
provided in Section 11.4.
11.2 Adjusted Book Value. For purposes of Section 11.1, the Adjusted Book Value shall
be determined in accordance with the Partnership’s audited financial statements as of the Valuation
Date. Adjusted Book Value of the Partnership shall be determined in accordance with the accounting
principles consistently applied by the Partnership in preparing the audited financial statements
and the following formula:
(i) | (a) Determine the Company’s Partner’s total equity from the
Company’s audited financial statement as of December 31 of the year prior to
the year the Repurchase Right is to be effective; (b) Add the “Standardized
Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows” for the Company’s Proved Developed
Reserves as presented in the footnotes to the Company’s annual audited
financial statements and as adjusted without giving effect to taxes; and (c)
Deduct the carrying value of the Company’s oil and gas properties (cost less
accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization) evaluated at such year
end. |
(ii) | For purposes of the calculation required in (i), the future net
cash flows of the Company shall be determined based upon an annual review and
analysis of the Company’s Proved Developed Reserves by an independent petroleum
engineer. Such future net cash flows shall be discounted annually at 10% per
year, consistent with the Company’s footnote disclosure of supplemental
unaudited oil and gas information as required by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 69, “Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing
Activities”, or the equivalent disclosure reporting requirements in place at
the time the reserve report is prepared. |
11.3 Appraisal. The Partnership will select an independent petroleum engineer to make
an evaluation, as of January 1 of each year during the period specified in Section 11.1 of the
Partnership’s Oil and Gas Properties. The independent petroleum engineer shall project the
estimated future net revenues of the proved developed reserves. In estimating such future net
revenues, then-current oil and gas prices shall be used without escalation determined by the
independent engineer consistent with then-current industry practice under the reporting
requirements of SFAS No. 69, or the equivalent disclosure reporting requirements in place at the
time the reserve report is prepared. Estimated future net revenues from proved developed reserves
will be discounted at an annual rate of 10% to arrive at the then-net present value of such
reserves. No value shall be attributed to the nonproducing lease acreage, properties or interests
which have been condemned by drilling activities.
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11.4 Statement of Cash Purchase Price. The Partnership will, commencing in 1992, and
not later than April 30 of each such year, furnish each Limited Partner a statement showing the
cash purchase price per Unit as of January 1 of each such year, which statement will include a
summary of estimated reserves and future net revenues prepared by an independent petroleum engineer
and taken from the footnotes to the Partnership’s audited financial statements. The cash purchase
price will be adjusted for distributions, if any, made to Limited Partners between January 1 of
each such year and the date of each purchase made pursuant to Section 11.1 by reducing the Adjusted
Book Value by the amount of any such Distributions prior to determining such cash purchase price.
Sufficient material to reveal how the purchase price was determined shall be furnished. A Limited
Partner shall have sixty (60) days from the date of the statement required pursuant to this Section
11.4 to elect whether to present his Units for purchase by the Partnership. If the Limited Partner
elects to present his Units within such time, the Partnership will be obligated to purchase the
same subject to the limitation set forth in Section 11.2. All such purchases shall be effective as
of June 30 of each such year. After such 60-day period, a Limited Partner may present their Units
to the Partnership for purchase at the price referred to in the statement, as adjusted for
Distributions subsequent to the date thereof; provided, however, that the Partnership shall be
under no obligation to purchase same, but may do so at its option. If more than the number of
Units which are required to be purchased are tendered in any one year, unless the Partnership
elects to purchase all Units tendered, the Units to be purchased will be determined on a prorated
basis and the Units actually purchased from a Unitholder shall equal the fraction the numerator of
which is equal to ten percent (10%) of the Units outstanding as of January 1 of such year and the
denominator of which is the total number of Units property tendered. The fraction so calculated
shall be applied to the Units tendered by any individual Unitholder to determine the number of
Units, rounded down to the nearest whole number, which will be purchased by the Partnership from
such Unitholder in such year pursuant to the provisions of this Article XI. Fractions of Units
will not be purchased. Notice will be given to a Limited Partner whose Units are not purchased.
Should such Limited Partner present its Units for purchase in any subsequent year, no preferential
rights will attach as a result of any prior presentments of Units pursuant to the provisions of
this Article XI. Units purchased by the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.1 shall be held as
Treasury Units and shall not be subject to resale.
11.5 No Cash Reserve. The Partnership is not obligated to establish cash reserves to
fund its obligation to purchase Units. The Partnership may use funds provided by its operations or
borrowed funds, if available, to fund such obligation and it may use its assets as collateral to
secure such borrowings.
11.6 Payment of Cash Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be paid in cash within
thirty (30) days after the Limited Partner executes and delivers an assignment, satisfactory in
form and substance to the General Partner, transferring such Units free and clear of all claims,
liens and encumbrances.
ARTICLE XII
TERMINATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND
DISTRIBUTION UPON TERMINATION
DISTRIBUTION UPON TERMINATION
12.1 Termination. The Partnership shall be terminated and dissolved upon the first to
occur of the following:
(a) | the occurrence of any event which, under
applicable Delaware law, causes the dissolution of the Partnership
except that events described in Subsections (4) and (5) of Section
17-402 of the Delaware Act shall not be deemed withdrawals of the
General Partner; |
(b) | the expiration of the term specified in Section
2.5; |
(c) | if the General Partner does any of the
following: makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; files a
voluntary petition in bankruptcy; is adjudicated a bankrupt or
insolvent; in each case unless a Majority Vote of the Limited Partners
elect to continue the Partnership as provided below; |
(d) | if the General Partner assigns its General
Partner Interest or retires or involuntarily withdraws, except as
authorized hereby, unless Limited Partners holding a majority of the
Units elect to continue the Partnership as provided below; |
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(e) | the written election by a Majority Vote of the
Limited Partners to dissolve and liquidate the Partnership; |
(f) | the order by any court of competent
jurisdiction decreeing that the Partnership be dissolved and
liquidated; and |
(g) | the sale, forfeiture or abandonment of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Partnership. |
Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 12.1(a), 12.1(c) or 12.1(d) above, a
notice to that effect shall be sent to each other Partner by the legal representative of the
General Partner. In such event, within ninety (90) days following the occurrence of such event,
the other Partners by unanimous action (except as provided above) may elect to continue the
Partnership and designate a substitute general partner who meets the conditions of Article VIII
hereof. Upon dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner or, if none, a Liquidator chosen
by the holders of a majority of the Units, shall proceed with the liquidation, termination and
winding up of the Partnership and its assets shall be applied and distributed as provided in
Section 12.2.
12.2 Procedure upon Dissolution. Subject to the provisions of Section 12.1, if the
Partnership shall be dissolved for any reason, no further business shall be conducted except for
the taking of such action by the General Partner (or the Liquidator) as shall be necessary for the
winding up of the affairs of the Partnership and the distribution in liquidation of Partnership
assets to the Partners as follows:
(a) | as soon as is reasonably possible after
dissolution, the General Partner shall cause a statement of account to
be prepared, which shall show with respect to each Partner the status
of such Partner’s Capital Account, adjusted in accordance with Section
4.7 with respect to all Partnership operations, sales and distributions
occurring prior to the “effective date of dissolution” (which shall be
the date of the occurrence of the event resulting in the termination of
the Partnership); provided, however, that all revenues, income, gains,
losses, costs, deductions and credits arising from Partnership
operations shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with
Article V hereof; |
(b) | the General Partner shall determine the value
of the Partnership’s net assets as of the effective date of
dissolution. The General Partner may select an independent petroleum
engineering firm which shall value the Partnership’s oil and gas
properties as of the effective date of dissolution using appraisal
techniques which it deems to be appropriate, taking into account the
nature of the applicable
property interests and their potential for future recovery of
reserves, and which shall further determine the salvage value, if
any, allocable to the Partnership’s interests in any equipment and
fixtures on such properties; |
(c) | the General Partner may sell, mortgage,
surrender or otherwise dispose of any or all of such Partnership
properties or interests therein as it deems appropriate and in the best
interests of the Partnership and its Partners, in view of the General
Partner’s respective duties to such persons. The General Partner shall
collect, liquidate, compromise, settle or abandon all debts and
obligations owing to the Partnership, upon such terms and in such
manner as the General Partner deems to be in the best interests of the
Partnership and such disposition shall be final. The General Partner
shall pay any or all debts (including its expenses) or otherwise make
adequate provision therefore; |
(d) | each Partner’s Capital Account, after being
adjusted in accordance with subsection (a), shall be adjusted by (i)
crediting or charging such Capital Account in accordance with Section
4.7 with respect to all Partnership operations occurring on or after
the effective date of dissolution; (ii) crediting or charging such
capital account with the Partner’s share of income, gain, loss and
deduction as would have been recognized by the Partnership and
allocated to such Partner had all of its assets been sold for cash on
the effective date of dissolution for their respective fair market
values determined in accordance with subsection (b) (giving allowance
for the receipt of revenues distributed from the Partnership on or
after the effective date of dissolution), unless such assets have been
disposed of, in which case their respective fair market values shall be
deemed, for the purposes of this subsection, to have been equal to the
cash price or the value of other consideration received from such
disposition less any expenses incurred in connection with such
disposition; and (iii) charging such capital account with respect to
any distribution to such Partner occurring on or after the effective
date of dissolution; provided, however, that all revenues, income,
gains, losses, costs, deductions and credits arising from Partnership
operations shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with
Article V hereof; |
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(e) | if, after paying or making other provision for
the Partnership debts, there remains any Partnership cash or
properties, the General Partner shall distribute and assign such
remaining cash and properties to each Partner pro rata in the ratio
that such Partner’s capital account (adjusted in accordance with the
foregoing provisions of this Section 13.2) bears to the total of the
capital accounts (as so adjusted) of all the Partners, except any
Partner whose capital account (as so adjusted) has a deficit balance;
provided, that any distributions under this subsection (e) shall be
made by the end of the Partnership taxable year during which the
effective date of dissolution occurs (or, if later, within ninety (90)
days after the effective date of dissolution); |
(f) | notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Partner
entitled to liquidation of his interest shall be indebted to the
Partnership, then until payment of or other satisfactory provision for
such indebtedness by him, the General Partner shall take such measures
as it deems appropriate to collect such debt and may retain such
Partner’s distributive share of Partnership properties and apply the
income therefrom to the liquidation of such indebtedness and the cost
of operation of such properties during the period of such liquidation;
provided, however, that if at the expiration of three (3) months after
the statement described in subsection (a) has been given to such
Partner, such indebtedness has not been paid or otherwise discharged,
the General Partner may sell the interest of such Partner at public or
private sale at the best price immediately obtainable, which shall be
determined in the sole judgment of the General Partner. So much of the
proceeds of such sale as shall be necessary shall be applied to the
liquidation of the amount then due under this Article XII, and the
balance of such proceeds, if any, shall be delivered to such Partner; |
(g) | the General Partner or the Liquidator shall use
its best efforts to sell the Partnership assets or to cause some type
of entity, such as a liquidating trust, which would preserve the
limited liability of the former Limited Partners to be established to
hold any Partnership assets which are not sold. If the General Partner
or the Liquidator shall determine that it shall be necessary to make a
distribution of any Partnership property or assets or any part thereof
in kind, the General Partner or the Liquidator shall have full
discretion to determine the nature and kind of any distribution of such
property or assets. If, despite the best efforts of the General
Partner or the Liquidator, the General Partner or the Liquidator shall
determine that it is necessary to make a distribution of any
Partnership asset in kind because the General Partner or the Liquidator
is unable to sell a Partnership asset at a reasonable sales price or to
cause a liquidating trust or similar entity to be established, the
General Partner or the Liquidator shall request the written consent of
each former Limited Partner to distribute in kind to such former
Limited Partner his share of the Partnership assets. No Partnership
assets shall be distributed in kind to a former Limited Partner unless
such former Limited Partner has consented in writing to such
distribution. It shall be presumed that a former Limited Partner has
refused such consent if the General Partner or Liquidator has not
received such consent within thirty (30) days after the General Partner
or the Liquidator mailed the request for such consent. Any Partnership
assets which would otherwise be distributed in kind to a former Limited
Partner, but for the failure or refusal of such former Limited Partner
to give his written consent to such distribution, shall instead be sold
by the General Partner or the Liquidator at the best price reasonably
obtainable from an independent third party who is not an affiliate of
the General Partner or the Liquidator. The General Partner or the
Liquidator then shall distribute the proceeds of such sales to the
Partners in accordance with the other provisions of this Section 12.2;
and |
(h) | the General Partner shall comply with and fully
discharge any and all other requirements of the Delaware Act or other
applicable law, pertaining to the winding up of the Partnership,
whereupon the Partnership shall be terminated. |
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12.3 Compliance with Timing Requirements of Regulations. In the event the Partnership
is “liquidated” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g): (a) distributions
shall be made to the Partners who have positive Capital Accounts in compliance with Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2); and (b) if the General Partner’s Capital Account has a deficit
balance (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable
years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), the General Partner shall
contribute to the capital of the Partnership the amount necessary to restore such deficit balance
to zero in compliance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(3).
12.4 Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly
liquidation of assets of the Partnership and the discharge of liabilities to creditors to enable
the General Partner to minimize the normal losses attendant upon a liquidation.
12.5 Final Accounting. Each of the Partners shall be furnished with a statement
certified by the Partnership’s independent certified public accountants, which shall set forth the
assets and liabilities of the Partnership as of the date of the complete liquidation. Upon
compliance by the General Partner with the foregoing distribution plan, the Limited Partners shall
cease to be such, and the General Partner shall execute and cause to be filed a Certificate of
Cancellation of the Partnership and any and all other documents necessary with respect to
termination and cancellation.
ARTICLE XIII
TAX MATTERS
13.1 Preparation of Tax Returns. The General Partner shall arrange for the
preparation and timely filing of all returns of Partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and
other items necessary for federal, state and local income tax purposes and shall use all reasonable
efforts to furnish to Partners within seventy-five (75) days of the close of the taxable year the
tax information reasonably required for federal and state income tax reporting purposes. A copy of
the Partnership’s federal income tax return will be furnished to any Partner or Assignee upon
request and at the expense of such Partner or Assignee. The classification, realization and
recognition of income, gains, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method
of accounting for federal income tax purposes, or on such other method, consistent with applicable
tax law, as the General Partner shall determine in its sole discretion. The General Partner in its
sole discretion may pay state and local income taxes attributable to operations of the Partnership
and treat such taxes as an expense of the Partnership.
13.2 Tax Elections. Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall,
in its sole discretion, determine whether to make any available tax election (including the
elections provided for in Section 168 of the Code). The General Partner shall make the election
under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable Regulations thereunder to cause the
basis of Partnership property to be adjusted for federal income tax purposes as provided by
Sections 734 and 743 of the Code, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any
such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best
interests of the Limited Partners and Assignees; provided, that the General Partner shall not seek
to revoke any such election unless it receives an Opinion of Counsel that such revocation would not
result in the loss of limited liability of the Limited Partners in the Partnership or cause the
Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes.
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13.3 Tax Matters Partner.
(a)
The General Partner shall be the “Tax Matters Partner” for the Partnership, as that term
is defined in, and for all purposes of, Section 6231(a) of the Code and all applicable Regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(b)
To the extent and in the manner required by applicable Code sections and Regulations
thereunder, the Tax Matters Partner shall furnish the name, address, profits interest and taxpayer
identification number of each Partner to the IRS.
(c)
To the extent and in the manner provided by applicable Code sections and Regulations
thereunder, the Tax Matters Partner shall inform each Partner of administrative or judicial
proceedings for the adjustment of Partnership items required to be taken into account by a Partner
for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “tax audit” and
such judicial proceedings being referred to as “judicial review”).
(d)
The Tax Matters Partner is authorized, but not required:
(i) | to enter into any settlement with the IRS with
respect to any tax audit or judicial review, and in the settlement
agreement the Tax Matters Partner may expressly state that such
agreement shall bind all Partners except that such settlement agreement
shall not bind any Partner who (within the time prescribed pursuant to
the Code and regulations thereunder) files a statement with the IRS
providing that the Tax Matters Partner shall not have the authority to
enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of such Partner; |
(ii) | in the event that a notice of a final
administrative adjustment at the partnership level of any item required
to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes
(a “final adjustment”) is mailed to the Tax Matters Partner, to seek
judicial review of such final adjustment, including the filing of a
petition for readjustment with the Tax Court or the United States
Claims Court, or the filing of a complaint for refund with the
District Court of the United States for the district in which the
Partnership’s principal place of business is located; |
(iii) | to intervene in any action brought by any
other Partner for judicial review of a final adjustment; |
(iv) | to file a request for an administrative
adjustment with the IRS at any time and, if any part of such request is
not allowed by the IRS, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or
complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request; |
(v) | to enter into an agreement with the IRS to
extend the period for assessing any tax which is attributable to any
item required to be taken into account by a Partner for income tax
purposes, or an item affected by such item; or |
(vi) | to take any other action on behalf of the
Partners or the Partnership in connection with any tax audit or
judicial review proceeding to the extent permitted by applicable law or
regulations. |
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(e) The Partnership shall indemnify and reimburse the Tax Matters Partner for all expenses,
including legal and accounting fees (as such fees are incurred), claims, liabilities, losses and
damages incurred in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding with respect to the
tax liability of the Partners. The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the
Tax Matters Partner in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law,
is a matter in the discretion of the Tax Matters Partner and the provisions on limitations of
liability of the General Partner and indemnification set forth in this Agreement shall be fully
applicable to the Tax Matters Partner in its capacity as such.
13.4 Organizational Expenses. The Partnership shall elect to deduct expenses incurred
in organizing the Partnership ratably over a sixty (60) month period as provided in Section 709 of
the Code.
13.5 Intangible Drilling Costs. The Partnership shall elect to deduct intangible
drilling and development costs on its federal income tax return in accordance with the option
granted by Section 263(c) of the Code.
13.6 Taxation as a Partnership. No election shall be made by the Partnership or any
Partner or Assignee for the Partnership to be excluded from the application of any of the
provisions of Subchapter K of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Code or from any similar provisions of
any state tax laws.
13.7 Opinions Regarding Taxation as a Partnership. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, the requirement, as a condition to any action proposed to be taken
under this Agreement, that the Partnership be furnished an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that
the proposed transaction would not result in the Partnership being treated as an association
taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes shall not be applicable if the Partnership
is at such time treated in all material respects as an association taxable as a corporation for
federal income tax purposes.
13.8 Withholding Taxes. The General Partner is authorized to take any action that it
determines to be necessary or appropriate to cause the Partnership to comply with any withholding
requirements under Section 1445 of the Code with regard to (i) the sale of any United States real
property interests, (ii) the distribution of cash or property to any Assignee who is not an
Eligible Citizen or (iii) the transfer of Units. In its sole discretion and as provided for in the
Regulations under Section 1445 of the Code, the General Partner may elect to withhold a portion of
any distribution made to Assignees who are not
Eligible Citizens or who fail to provide to the Partnership an appropriate Eligibility
Certification or other documentation in accordance with the applicable provisions of such
Regulations. The General Partner is further authorized to take any action that it deems to be
necessary or appropriate to cause the Partnership to comply with any other withholding requirements
under the Code. Any amount withheld under this Section 13.9 shall be deemed to be a distribution
to the Assignee with respect to which such withholding is made.
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
14.1 Books of Account. The General Partner shall keep and maintain, or cause to be
kept and maintained, in accordance with sound accounting practices, complete and accurate books,
records and accounts of the Partnership. The Partnership books shall be kept on the accrual basis
accounting method, unless another method, more favorable to the Limited Partners, shall be
available under applicable federal income tax laws. All books, records and accounts of the
Partnership shall be kept at all times at the principal office of the Partnership. All Partners
shall have the right to examine such books, records and accounts at any and all reasonable hours.
14.2 Accounts and Accounting Decisions. Independent certified public accountants shall
be retained by the General Partner for the Partnership. All decisions as to accounting matters,
except as specifically provided to the contrary herein, shall be made by the General Partner.
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14.3 Partners Independently Bound. Each Partner shall become bound by this Agreement
immediately upon the execution of this Agreement by the General Partner as the duly authorized
attorney-in-fact of each of the Limited Partners.
14.4 Addresses and Notices. The address of the Partnership shall be at its principal
office. The address for each Partner for all purposes shall be as set forth next to each Partner’s
name on the signature page of the Subscription Agreement, or the counterpart signature pages, or
such other address of which the General Partner has received written notice. Any notice, demand or
request required or permitted to be given or made hereunder shall be deemed given or made to each
Partner when delivered or sent by certified or registered mail to such Partner at such address.
14.5 Waiver of Partition. Each Partner, by requesting and being granted admission to
the Partnership, is deemed to waive until termination of the Partnership any and all rights that he
may have to maintain an action for partition of the Partnership’s assets.
14.6 Titles and Captions. All captions are for convenience only, do not form a
substantive part of this Agreement, and shall not restrict or enlarge any substantive provisions of
this Agreement.
14.7 Pronouns and Plurals. All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to
refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or
persons may require.
14.8 Further Action. The parties hereto shall execute and deliver all documents,
provide all information and take or forebear from all such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
14.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding between and
among the parties hereto and supersedes any prior understandings and agreements between or among
them respecting the subject matter of this Agreement. No amendments, attentions,
modifications or changes herein shall be effective or binding upon the parties unless the same
are proposed and adopted pursuant to the requirements of Article X.
14.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, and all
so executed shall constitute one agreement, binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all
the parties are not signatory to the original or the same counterpart.
14.11 Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the plan where this Agreement may be executed
by any of the parties hereto, the parties expressly agree that all the terms and provisions of this
Agreement and the rights of the Partners hereunder shall be interpreted and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware as now adopted or as hereafter may be amended.
14.12 Benefits. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall bind the
parties hereto, their successors and permitted assigns.
14.13 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement in a particular respect shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement or of the same provision in any other respect. If any provision of
this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws
effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this
Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision
had never comprised a part of this Agreement and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision or by severance from this Agreement.
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14.14 Power of Attorney. Each of the Limited Partners irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the General Partner his true and lawful attorney, with full power of substitution in his
name, place and xxxxx, to make, execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver and file:
(a) | this Agreement and any and all agreements
amending this Agreement, as now or hereafter amended, that may be
appropriate to reflect (i) a change in the name or location of the
principal place of business of the Partnership; (ii) the disposition by
a Partner of his interest in the Partnership or any part thereof; (iii)
the substitution or addition of a person becoming a Partner of the
Partnership (subject to consent as required by this Agreement); (iv) a
distribution in reduction of the Capital Contribution of a Partner; and
(v) a change in the capital of the Partnership; |
(b) | a Certificate of Limited Partnership, as
required under the laws of any state or jurisdiction where the
Partnership shall desire to conduct business for the formation and/or
operation of the Partnership as a limited partnership therein; |
(c) | such certificates, instruments and documents as
may be required or appropriate in connection with the qualification of
the Partnership to do business in any state or jurisdiction and the use
of the name of the Partnership therein; |
(d) | such certificates, instruments and documents as
may be required or as may be appropriate under the laws of any state or
jurisdiction to reflect (1) a change of name or address of the
undersigned and (2) any changes in the Partnership or amendments to
this Agreement; |
(e) | all conveyances or other instruments and
documents necessary to effect the dissolution and termination of the
Partnership, and all other filings with agencies of the Federal
government and of the states to carry out the purposes of the
Partnership; and |
(f) | any documents, certificates or other
instruments, including, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, any and all amendments and modifications of this Agreement
or of the instruments described in subparagraph (a) hereof which may be
required or deemed desirable by the General Partner to effectuate the
provisions of any part of this Agreement, and, by way of extension and
not in limitation, to do all such other things as shall be necessary to
continue and to carry on the business of the Partnership. |
The power of attorney granted hereby shall not constitute a waiver of, or be used to avoid,
any of the rights of the Partners to vote upon certain matters as provided in Section 10.4 of this
Agreement and shall not constitute a waiver of, or be used to avoid, the rights of any of the
Limited Partners as a limited partner under the Delaware Act or be used in any other manner
inconsistent with the status of the Partnership as a limited partnership or the limited liability
of any of the Limited Partners as a limited partner under the Delaware Act.
It is expressly intended by each of the Partners that the foregoing power of attorney is
coupled with an interest, is irrevocable and shall survive the death, adjudication of incompetency
or insanity of each such Partner. The foregoing power of attorney shall survive the delivery of an
assignment by any of the Partners of his entire interest in the Partnership except that where an
assignee of such entire interest has become a substituted limited partner, then the foregoing power
of attorney of the assignor Partner shall survive the delivery of such assignment for the sole
purpose of enabling the General Partner to execute, acknowledge and file any and all instruments
necessary to effectuate such substitution.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the 10th day of
February, 2010.
GENERAL PARTNER: EVERFLOW MANAGEMENT LIMITED, LLC |
||||
By: | EVERFLOW MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, | |||
MANAGING MEMBER | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, President |
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