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DRAFT OF OCTOBER 22, 1997
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OCEAN ENERGY, INC.
3,280,000 SHARES
COMMON STOCK
U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
XXXXXX, XXXX, LABOUISSE, XXXXXXXXXX INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO., INC.
XXXXX XXXXXX INC.
, 1997
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
(ii) Incorporated Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
(iii) Independent Accountants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
(iv) Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
(v) Pro Forma Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
(vi) No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
(vii) Good Standing of Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
(viii) Good Standing of Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
(ix) Capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
(x) Authorization and Description of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
(xi) Authorization of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
(xii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
(xiii) Absence of Labor Dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
(xiv) Absence of Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
(xv) Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
(xvi) Title to Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
(xvii) Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
(xviii) Contracts and Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
(xix) Absence of Further Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
(xx) Possession of Licenses and Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
(xxi) Absence of Registration Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
(xxii) Stabilization or Manipulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
(xxiii) Compliance with Cuba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
(xxiv) Forward Looking Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
(xxv) Environmental Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
(xxvi) Illegal Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
(xxvii) Absence of Stamp Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
(b) Representations and Warranties by the Selling Stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
(i) Information Concerning Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
(ii) Accurate Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
(iii) Good and Marketable Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
(iv) Authorization of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
(v) Absence of Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
(vi) Consents and Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
(vii) Representations and Warranties of Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
(viii) Stabilization or Manipulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
(c) Officer's Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to U.S. Underwriters; Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
(a) Initial U.S. Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
(b) U.S. Option Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
(c) Payment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
(b) Form of Prospectuses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
(c) Filing of Amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
(d) Delivery of Registration Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
(e) Delivery of U.S. Prospectus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
(f) Amendments and Supplements to Prospectuses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
(g) Blue Sky Qualifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
(h) Rule 158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
(i) Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
(j) Omission of Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
(k) Listing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
(l) Restriction on Sale of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
(m) Stabilization or Manipulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 4. Covenants of the Selling Stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
(a) Restriction on Sale of Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
(b) Stabilization or Manipulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
(c) Form W-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 5. Payment of Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 6. Conditions of Obligations of the U.S. Underwriters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Company and the Selling Stockholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
(c) Opinion of Counsel for the U.S. Underwriters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
(d) Officers' Certificate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
(e) Certificate of Selling Stockholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
(f) Accountant's Comfort Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
(g) Bring-down Comfort Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
(h) Additional Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
(i) Approval of Listing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
(j) Lock-Up Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
(k) Satisfaction of U.S. Representatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
(l) Purchase of Initial International Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
(m) Conditions to Purchase of U.S. Option Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
(n) Termination of Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 7. Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
(a) Indemnification of U.S. Underwriters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers and
Selling Stockholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
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(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
(e) Limitation of Selling Stockholder Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 8. Contribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 9. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 10. Termination of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 11. Default by One or More of the U.S. Underwriters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 12. Default by One or More of the Selling Stockholders or the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 13. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 14. Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 15. Governing Law and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 16. Effect of Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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3,280,000 SHARES
OCEAN ENERGY, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT
_____________, 1997
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
XXXXXX, XXXX, LABOUISSE,
XXXXXXXXXX INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO., INC.
XXXXX XXXXXX INC.
as U.S. Representatives of the
several U.S. Underwriters
c/x XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
World Financial Center
North Tower
New York, New York 10281-1209
Dear Sirs:
Ocean Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and each of the stockholders of the Company named in Schedule B hereto (the
"Selling Stockholders"), confirm their respective agreements with you and each
of the other U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the
"U.S. Underwriters," which term shall also include any underwriter substituted
as hereinafter provided in Section 11 hereof), for whom Xxxxxxx Lynch, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated ("Xxxxxxx Xxxxx"), Xxxxxx Brothers Inc., Xxxxxx,
Xxxx, Labouisse, Xxxxxxxxxx Incorporated, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co., Inc. and Xxxxx Xxxxxx Inc. are acting as representatives
(in such capacity, the "U.S. Representatives"), with respect to (i) the
issuance and sale by the Company and the sale by the Selling Stockholders,
acting severally and not jointly, and the purchase by the U.S. Underwriters,
acting severally and not jointly, of the respective number of shares of Common
Stock, par value
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$.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") set forth in Schedule A hereto,
of which 2,800,000 shares shall be issued and sold by the Company and 480,000
shares shall be sold by the Selling Stockholders as set forth in Schedule B
hereto, and (ii) with respect to the grant by a certain Selling Stockholder, to
the U.S. Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option
described in Section 2 hereof to purchase all or any part of the U.S.
Underwriters' pro rata portion of up to an additional 492,000 shares of Common
Stock to cover over-allotments. The 3,280,000 shares of Common Stock to be
purchased by the U.S. Underwriters (the "Initial U.S. Securities") together
with all or any part of the U.S. Underwriters' pro rata portion of 492,000
shares of Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2 hereof (the
"U.S. Option Securities") are collectively hereinafter called the "U.S.
Securities."
It is understood that the Company and the Selling Stockholders
are concurrently entering into an agreement dated the date hereof (the
"International Purchase Agreement") providing for the offering by the Company
and the Selling Stockholders of an aggregate of 820,000 shares of Common Stock
(the "Initial International Securities") through arrangements with certain
underwriters outside the United States and Canada (the "International
Managers") for which Xxxxxxx Xxxxx International, Xxxxxx Brothers International
(Europe), Xxxxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx Incorporated, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx &
Co. International Limited, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co., Inc. and Xxxxx Xxxxxx Inc. are
acting as lead managers (the "Lead Managers") and the grant by a certain
Selling Stockholder to the International Managers, acting severally and not
jointly, of an option to purchase all or any part of the International
Managers' pro rata portion of up to 123,000 additional shares of Common Stock
solely to cover overallotments, if any (the "International Option Securities"
and, together with the U.S. Option Securities, the "Option Securities"). The
Initial International Securities and the International Option Securities are
hereinafter called the "International Securities". It is understood that the
Company and the Selling Stockholders are not obligated to sell and the U.S.
Underwriters are not obligated to purchase, any Initial U.S. Securities unless
all of the Initial International Securities are contemporaneously purchased by
the International Managers.
The U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers are
hereinafter collectively called the "Underwriters", the Initial U.S. Securities
and the Initial International Securities are hereinafter collectively called
the "Initial Securities", and the U.S. Securities, and the International
Securities are hereinafter collectively called the "Securities".
The U.S. Underwriters will concurrently enter into an
Intersyndicate Agreement of even date herewith (the "Intersyndicate Agreement")
providing for the coordination of certain transactions among the U.S.
Underwriters under the direction of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Xxxxxxx Lynch, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated (in such capacity, the "Global Coordinator").
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-37985) covering the
registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "1933 Act"), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses.
Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company
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will either (i) prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions
of Rule 430A ("Rule 430A") of the rules and regulations of the Commission under
the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations") and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 ("Rule
424(b)") of the 1933 Act Regulations or (ii) if the Company has elected to rely
upon Rule 434 ("Rule 434") of the 1933 Act Regulations, prepare and file a term
sheet (a "Term Sheet") in accordance with the provisions of Rule 434 and Rule
424(b). Two forms of prospectus are to be used in connection with the offering
and sale of the Securities: one relating to the U.S. Securities (the "Form of
U.S. Prospectus") and one relating to the International Securities (the "Form
of International Prospectus"). The Form of International Prospectus is
identical to the Form of U.S. Prospectus, except for the front cover and back
cover pages and the information under the caption "Underwriting." The
information included in any such prospectus or in any such Term Sheet, as the
case may be, that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it
became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement
at the time it became effective (a) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is
referred to as "Rule 430A Information" or (b) pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule
434 is referred to as "Rule 434 Information." Each Form of U.S. Prospectus and
Form of International Prospectus used before such registration statement became
effective, and any prospectus that omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A
Information or the Rule 434 Information, that was used after such effectiveness
and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a
"preliminary prospectus." Such registration statement, including the exhibits
thereto, schedules thereto, if any, and the documents incorporated by reference
therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, at the time it
became effective and including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434
Information, as applicable, is herein called the "Registration Statement." Any
registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act
Regulations is herein referred to as the "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,"
and after such filing the term "Registration Statement" shall include the Rule
462(b) Registration Statement. The final Form of U.S. Prospectus and the final
Form of International Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by
reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, in the
forms first furnished to the U.S. Underwriters for use in connection with the
offering of the Securities are herein called the "U.S. Prospectus" and the
"International Prospectus," respectively, and collectively, the "Prospectuses."
If Rule 434 is relied on, the terms "U.S. Prospectus" and "International
Prospectus" shall refer to the preliminary U.S. Prospectus dated _____, 1997
and preliminary International Prospectus dated ____, 1997, respectively, each
together with the applicable Term Sheet and all references in this Agreement to
the date of such Prospectuses shall mean the date of the applicable Term Sheet.
For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement,
any preliminary prospectus, the U.S. Prospectus, the International Prospectus
or any Term Sheet or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall
be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("XXXXX").
The Company and the Selling Stockholders understand that the
U.S. Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the U.S. Securities as
soon as the U.S. Representatives deem advisable after the Registration
Statement becomes effective and this Agreement has been executed and delivered.
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For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Company" means the
Company and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes its subsidiaries.
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The
Company represents and warrants to each of the U.S. Underwriters as of the date
hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of
each Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees
with each U.S. Underwriter, as follows:
(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements.
At the time the Registration Statement became effective, the
Registration Statement complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading. The Prospectuses, as of their date
and at Closing Time referred to in Section 2 hereof, will not include
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this
subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the
Registration Statement or U.S. Prospectus made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by the
U.S. Underwriters through the U.S. Representatives expressly for use
in the Registration Statement or the U.S. Prospectus.
(ii) Incorporated Documents. The documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the
Prospectuses, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the
Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"1934 Act"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the
1934 Act (the "1934 Act Regulations"), and, when read together with
the other information in the Prospectuses, at the time the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto become effective and
at Closing Time, will not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(iii) Independent Accountants. The accountants
who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules
included in the Registration Statement are independent public
accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries as
required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.
(iv) Financial Statements. The financial
statements (except for the pro forma financial information), including
the notes thereto, included in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectuses present fairly the financial position of the Company and
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its consolidated subsidiaries on the basis stated in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectuses as at the dates indicated and the
results of their operations for the periods specified; except as
otherwise stated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses
and except for the pro forma financial information included therein,
said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration
Statement present fairly the information required to be stated
therein.
(v) Pro Forma Financial Statements. The pro
forma financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries, if
any, included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses has
been prepared in accordance with the applicable published rules and
regulations of the Commission and the assumptions used in the
preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein
are appropriate to give pro forma effect to the transactions or
circumstances referred to therein.
(vi) No Material Adverse Change. Since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A)
there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial
or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business
prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business,
(B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of
business, which are material with respect to the Company and its
subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no
dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the
Company on any class of its capital stock.
(vii) Good Standing of Company. The Company has
been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with full corporate
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is
duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or
the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse
effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings,
business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.
(viii) Good Standing of Subsidiaries. Each
subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the "Subsidiaries") has been
duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has
full power and authority (corporate or other) to own, lease and
operate its properties and to conduct its business and is duly
qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and
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is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification
is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property
or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so
qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and
its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; and all of the issued
and outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiaries has been duly
authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and is
owned by the Company directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear
of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim
or equity; there are no outstanding options to purchase, or rights or
warrants to subscribe for, or securities or obligations convertible
into, or contracts or commitments to issue or sell, any capital stock
or other securities of the Subsidiaries.
(ix) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the
Prospectuses under "Capitalization" (except for issuances, if any,
subsequent to the date of the Prospectus pursuant to this Agreement or
pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans
referred to in the Prospectus); the shares of issued and outstanding
capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
(x) Authorization and Description of
Securities. The Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and
sale to the U.S. Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and the
International Manager pursuant to the International Purchase Agreement
and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, respectively,
against payment of the consideration set forth herein and in the
International Purchase Agreement, respectively, will be validly issued
and fully paid and nonassessable; the issuance of the Securities is
not subject to preemptive or other similar rights to subscribe to or
purchase the same arising by operation of law or under the charter or
bylaws of the Company or otherwise; and the Common Stock conforms to
all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectuses.
(xi) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement
and the International Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Company.
(xii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither
the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter
or by-laws or is in breach of or in default in the performance or
observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition
contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note,
lease or other instrument to which it is a party or by which any of
them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of any of
them is subject, except for any such breaches or defaults which have
been waived or would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material
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adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and
its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; and the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Securities
hereunder and under the International Purchase Agreement and the
consummation of the other transactions contemplated herein and
therein, and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder
and thereunder, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company and, except as described
in the Prospectuses, will not conflict with or constitute a breach or
violation of, or default under, or give rise to any right of
termination or acceleration under, or result in the creation or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or
assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any contract,
indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument
or agreement to which either of them is a party or by which any of
them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the
Company or its Subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action conflict
with, or result in any breach or violation of, or default under, the
provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or its
Subsidiaries or of any applicable law, administrative regulation or
administrative or court decree.
(xiii) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute
with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists
or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is
not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the
employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or
contractors any of which might, individually or in the aggregate, be
expected by the Company to result in any material adverse change in
the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business
affairs or business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries
considered as one enterprise.
(xiv) Absence of Proceedings. The Company and
each of its Subsidiaries are conducting and propose to conduct their
respective businesses so as to comply in all respects with applicable
federal, state, local and foreign government statutes and regulations,
except where such failure to comply would not have a material adverse
effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings,
business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; and there is no action,
suit or proceeding before or by any court or governmental agency or
body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectuses (other than as disclosed therein), or
which, individually or in the aggregate, may be reasonably expected to
result in any material adverse change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects
of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, or
which, individually or in the aggregate, may be reasonably expected to
materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or
which may be reasonably
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expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of this
Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement; all pending legal
or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective property
or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectuses, including ordinary routine litigation
incidental to the business, are, considered in the aggregate, not
material to the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise; and there are no contracts or documents of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries which are required to be filed as exhibits to
or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement by the
1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations which have not been so filed.
(xv) Taxes. The Company and each of its
Subsidiaries have filed all United States federal, state and local
income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date
hereof and have paid all federal taxes and all material state and
local taxes due thereon, and no tax deficiency has been determined
adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has had (nor
does the Company have any knowledge of any tax deficiency which, if
determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries might
have), individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on
the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business
affairs or business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries
considered as one enterprise. The charges, accruals and reserves on
the consolidated books of the Company in respect of any income,
franchise or corporation tax liability for any years not fully
determined are reasonable and have been recorded on a basis in
conformance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(xvi) Title to Property. Except as described in
the Prospectuses, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have (1)
generally satisfactory or good and indefeasible title to all their
interests in their oil and gas properties, title investigations having
been carried out by or on behalf of such person in accordance with
good practice in the oil and gas industry in the areas in which the
Company operates and (2) good and indefeasible title to all other real
property and good and marketable title to all other properties and
assets described in the Prospectuses as owned by them and valid,
subsisting and enforceable leases for all of the properties and
assets, real or personal, described in the Prospectuses as leased by
them, in each case free and clear of any security interests,
mortgages, pledges, liens, encumbrances or charges of any kind, other
than those described in the Prospectuses and those that could not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on
the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business
affairs or business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries
considered as one enterprise.
(xvii) Insurance. The Company and each of its
Subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and
covering such risks as is customary for companies engaged in similar
businesses in similar industries.
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(xviii) Contracts and Agreements. Each contract,
agreement or arrangement to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them may be bound, or to
which any of the property or assets of any such person is subject,
which is material to the condition, financial or otherwise, or the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and
its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise has been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company or its
Subsidiaries, as applicable, and neither the Company nor its
Subsidiaries is in breach or default of any obligation, agreement,
covenant or condition contained in any such contract, agreement or
arrangement except for any such breaches or defaults which have been
waived or would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and
its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; except as described or
contemplated by the Prospectuses, none of such contracts, agreements
or arrangements has been assigned by either of the Company or its
Subsidiaries, and the Company knows of no present condition or fact
which would prevent compliance by the Company or its Subsidiaries or
any other party thereto with the terms of any such contract, agreement
or arrangement in accordance with its terms in all material respects;
except as described in the Prospectuses, neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries has any present intention to exercise any right
that it may have to cancel any such contract, agreement or arrangement
or otherwise to terminate its rights and obligations thereunder, and
none of them has any knowledge that any other party to any such
contract, agreement or arrangement has any intention not to render
full performance in all material respects as contemplated by the terms
thereof.
(xix) Absence of Further Requirements. No
authorization, approval, consent or order of, or filing with, any
court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement or the International Purchase Agreement or the offering,
issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or thereunder, except
such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations
or state or foreign securities laws.
(xx) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The
Company and its Subsidiaries possess such licenses, permits, consents,
orders, certificates or authorizations issued by the appropriate
federal, state, foreign or local regulatory agencies or bodies
necessary to conduct the business now operated by them as described in
the Prospectuses, except for such licenses, permits, consents, orders,
certificates or authorizations of which the failure by the Company or
its Subsidiaries to possess would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial
or otherwise, or on the earnings, business affairs or business
prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or
modification of any such licenses, permits, consents, orders,
certificates or authorizations which, individually or in the
aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or
finding, would have a
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material and adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise,
or on the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the
Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.
(xxi) Absence of Registration Rights. No holder
of securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any rights
to require the registration of such securities as a result of the
filing of the Registration Statement, or in connection with the
offering of the Securities that have not been either complied with or
duly and effectively waived.
(xxii) Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company
has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action
designed to, or that might be reasonably expected to, cause or result
in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities; and
the Company has not distributed and will not distribute any prospectus
or other offering material in connection with the offering and sale of
the Securities other than any preliminary prospectus filed with the
Commission or the Prospectus.
(xxiii) Compliance with Cuba. The Company has
complied and will comply in all respects with the provisions of
Florida H.B. 1771 (codified as Section 517.075 of the Florida
Statutes) and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and, to the
knowledge of the Company, neither the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective affiliates, does business
with the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in
Cuba.
(xxiv) Forward Looking Statements. No forward
looking statement (as defined in Rule 175 under the 1933 Act)
contained in the Registration Statement has been made or reaffirmed
without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good
faith.
(xxv) Environmental Laws. The Company and each
of its Subsidiaries (A) are in compliance with any and all applicable
federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the
protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or
toxic substances or waste, pollutants or contaminants ("Environmental
Laws"), (B) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals
required of it under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its
business and (C) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of
any such permit, license or approval, except for such noncompliance
with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses
or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions
of such permits, licenses or approvals that would not, singly or in
the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the condition,
financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business affairs or
business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as
one enterprise. There has been no storage, disposal, generation,
transportation, handling or treatment of hazardous substances or solid
wastes by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or to the
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knowledge of the Company, any of its predecessors in interest) at,
upon or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in violation of any applicable
law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or
which would require remedial action under any applicable law,
ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except
for any violation or remedial action which would not result in, or
which would not be reasonably likely to result in, singularly or in
the aggregate with all such violations and remedial actions, any
material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), results
of operations, business or business prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; there has been no material
spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or
release of any kind onto such property or into the environment
surrounding such property of any solid wastes or hazardous substances
due to or caused by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for
any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping
or release which would not result in or would not be reasonably likely
to result in, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills,
discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and
releases, any material adverse change in the condition (financial or
other), results of operations, business or business prospects of the
Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; and the
terms "hazardous substances" and "solid wastes" shall have the
meanings specified in any applicable local, state and federal laws or
regulations with respect to environmental protection.
(xxvi) Illegal Payments. Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries have, directly or indirectly, paid or
delivered any fee, commission or other sum of money or item or
property, however characterized, to any finder, agent, government
official or other party, in the United States or any other country,
which is in any manner related to the business or operations of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, which the Company knows or has reason to
believe to have been illegal under any federal, state or local laws of
the United States or any other country having jurisdiction.
(xxvii) Absence of Stamp Taxes. There is no stamp
duty, value-added tax or any similar tax or duty, payable by or on
behalf of the U.S. Underwriters or the Company in connection with the
authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities in the
manner contemplated by this Agreement or the International Purchase
Agreement.
(b) Representations and Warranties by the Selling
Stockholders. Each of the Selling Stockholders severally represents
and warrants to each U.S. Underwriter as of the date hereof , as of
the Closing Time, and, if the Selling Shareholder is selling U.S.
Option Securities on a Date of Delivery, as of each such Date of
Delivery, and agrees with each U.S. Underwriter, as follows:
(i) Information Concerning Company. Such
Selling Stockholder is not prompted to sell the Securities to be sold
by such Selling Stockholder by any information concerning the Company
that is not set forth in the Prospectuses or other
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documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the
periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the 1934
Act or the 1934 Act Regulations.
(ii) Accurate Disclosure. To the extent that
any statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or any
amendment or supplement thereto are made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by
such Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein, the Registration
Statement, at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective,
did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading. To the extent that any
statements or omissions in the Prospectuses or any amendment or
supplement thereto are made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling
Stockholder expressly for use therein, the Prospectuses, as of their
date (unless the term "Prospectuses" refers to Prospectuses which have
been provided to the U.S. Underwriters and the International Manager
by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the
Securities which differs from the Prospectuses on file at the
Commission at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective,
in which case at the time such Prospectuses are first provided to the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Manager for such use) and at
Closing Time, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(iii) Good and Marketable Title. Such Selling
Stockholder has and will have at Closing Time good and marketable
title to the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder
hereunder and under the International Purchase Agreement, free and
clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, claim or
restriction on transfer or other defect in title; such Selling
Stockholder has full right, power and authority to sell, transfer and
deliver the Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder
hereunder and under the International Purchase Agreement and upon
delivery of and payment for the Securities as herein contemplated and
as contemplated in the International Purchase Agreement, the U.S.
Underwriters will acquire good and marketable title to such
Securities, free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest,
encumbrance, claim or restriction on transfer or other defect in
title.
(iv) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement
and the International Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder.
(v) Absence of Conflicts. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not conflict with or result in a
breach or violation by such Selling Stockholder of any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute, either by itself or upon notice or the
passage of time or both, a default by such Selling
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Stockholder under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, trust
(constructive or other), loan agreement, lease, franchise, license or
other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a
party or by which such Selling Stockholder or any of its properties is
bound, or any statute, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body applicable to
such Selling Stockholder any of its properties.
(vi) Consents and Approvals. All consents,
approvals, authorizations and orders necessary for the execution and
delivery by such Selling Stockholder of this Agreement and the
International Purchase Agreement and for the sale and delivery of the
Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder and
thereunder have been obtained.
(vii) Representations and Warranties of Company.
To the knowledge of such Selling Stockholder, none of the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section
1(a) above are untrue or inaccurate in any material respect.
(viii) Stabilization or Manipulation. Such
Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not take, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to, or that might be reasonably
expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the
price of the Securities; and such Selling Stockholder has not
distributed and will not distribute any prospectus or other offering
material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities
other than any preliminary prospectus filed with the Commission or the
Prospectuses.
(c) Officer's Certificates. Any certificate signed by
any officer of the Company delivered to the Global Coordinator, U.S.
Representatives or to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters shall be deemed a
representation and warranty by the Company to each U.S. Underwriter as to the
matters covered thereby; and any certificate signed by or on behalf of any
Selling Stockholder and delivered to the Global Coordinator, U.S.
Representatives or to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters shall be deemed a
representation and warranty by the Selling Stockholder to each U.S. Underwriter
as to the matters covered thereby.
SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to U.S. Underwriters;
Closing.
(a) Initial U.S. Securities. On the basis of the
representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell 2,800,000 Initial U.S.
Securities to the U.S. Underwriters, severally and not jointly, and the Selling
Stockholders, severally and not jointly, agree to sell an aggregate of 480,000
Initial U.S. Securities (each to sell the number of Initial U.S. Securities
opposite the name of such Selling Stockholder in Schedule B hereto) to the U.S.
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, and each U.S. Underwriter, severally
and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company and each of the Selling
Stockholders, at the price per share set forth in Schedule C, the number of
Initial U.S.
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Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such U.S. Underwriter,
plus any additional number of Initial U.S. Securities which such U.S.
Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of
Section 11 hereof, subject, in each case, to such adjustments as the U.S.
Underwriters in their discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases
of fractional U.S. Securities.
(b) U.S. Option Securities. In addition, on the basis of
the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms
and conditions herein set forth, the Selling Stockholders, severally and not
jointly, hereby grant an option to the U.S. Underwriters, severally and not
jointly, to purchase from them up to an additional 492,000 shares of Common
Stock (each Selling Stockholder to sell up to the number of U.S. Option
Securities set forth opposite the name of such Selling Stockholder in Schedule
B hereto), at the price per share set forth in Schedule C. The option hereby
granted will expire on the 30th day after the date hereof and may be exercised
in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering
over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering and
distribution of the Initial U.S. Securities upon notice by the Global
Coordinator to each of the Selling Stockholders who are selling U.S. Option
Securities setting forth the aggregate number of U.S. Option Securities as to
which the several U.S. Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time
and date of payment and delivery for such U.S. Option Securities. Any such
time and date of delivery for the U.S. Option Securities (a "Date of Delivery")
shall be determined by the Global Coordinator but shall be not earlier than two
nor later than five full business days after receipt of such notice by the
Selling Stockholders of the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to
Closing Time (as hereinafter defined), unless otherwise agreed upon by the
Global Coordinator and the Selling Stockholders. If the option is exercised as
to all or any portion of the U.S. Option Securities, each of the U.S.
Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion
of the number of U.S. Option Securities which the number of Initial U.S.
Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such U.S. Underwriter
(plus any additional number of Initial U.S. Securities which such U.S.
Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of
Section 11 hereof) bears to the total number of Initial U.S. Securities,
subject, in each case, to such adjustments as the U.S. Underwriters in their
discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional U.S.
Securities. Each of the Selling Stockholders will sell shares purchased
pursuant to the over-allotment option in the same proportion as the number of
shares of U.S. Option Securities to be sold by such Selling Stockholder bears
to the total number of shares of U.S. Option Securities sold by the Selling
Stockholders pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "business day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open
for trading.
(c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and
delivery of certificates for, the Initial U.S. Securities shall be made at the
office of Xxxxx & Xxxxx, L.L.P., Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, 000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
00000, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Global
Coordinator, the Company and the Selling Stockholders, at 9:00 A.M., Houston,
Texas time, on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M.
(Eastern time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof (unless
postponed in accordance with the provisions of
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Section 11 hereof), or such other time not later than ten business days after
such date as shall be agreed upon by the Global Coordinator and the Company
(such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called "Closing
Time"). In addition, in the event that any or all of the U.S. Option
Securities are purchased by the U.S. Underwriters, payment of the purchase
price for, and delivery of certificates for, such U.S. Option Securities shall
be made at the above-mentioned office of Xxxxx & Xxxxx, L.L.P., or at such
other place as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Global Coordinator and the
Selling Stockholders, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from
the Global Coordinator to the Selling Stockholders. Payment shall be made to
the Company and the Selling Stockholders, as the case may be, by wire transfer
of immediately available funds to the order of the Company and each Selling
Stockholder, as the case may be, against delivery to the U.S. Representatives
for the respective accounts of the U.S. Underwriters of certificates for the
U.S. Securities to be purchased by them. Certificates for the Initial U.S.
Securities and the U.S. Option Securities shall be in such denominations and
registered in such names as the U.S. Representatives may request in writing at
least two business days before Closing Time or the Date of Delivery, as the
case may be. It is understood that each U.S. Underwriter has authorized the
U.S. Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and
make payment of the purchase price for, the U.S. Securities which it has agreed
to purchase. The U.S. Representatives individually and not as representatives
of the U.S. Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of
the purchase price for the U.S. Securities to be purchased by any U.S.
Underwriter whose funds have not been received by Closing Time or the Date of
Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such U.S.
Underwriter from its obligations hereunder. The certificates for the Initial
U.S. Securities and the U.S. Option Securities to be purchased by the U.S.
Underwriters will be made available in New York City for examination and
packaging by the U.S. Representatives not later than 10:00 A.M. on the last
business day prior to Closing Time or the Date of Delivery, as the case may be.
SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company
covenants with each of the U.S. Underwriters as follows:
(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission
Requests. The Company will notify the Global Coordinator immediately, and
other than for item (i) below, confirm the notice in writing, (i) of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto
(including any post-effective amendment) and, if the Company elects to rely
upon Rule 430A of the 1933 Act Regulations, of the filing of the Prospectuses
pursuant to Rule 430A and Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, (ii) of the
receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the
Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement to the Prospectuses or for additional information, and (iv) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or any order preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary prospectus, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose,
and (v) of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering
or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance
of any stop order or any order preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary
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prospectus or suspending such qualification and, in the event of the issuance
of any stop order or any order preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary prospectus or suspending such qualification, to obtain the lifting
thereof at the earliest possible moment.
(b) Form of Prospectuses. If the Company elects to rely
on Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will prepare a term sheet
that complies with the requirements of Rule 434. If the Company elects not to
rely on Rule 434, the Company will provide the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers with copies of the form of prospectuses, in such numbers
as the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers may reasonably request,
and file with the Commission such prospectus in accordance with Rule 424(b) of
the 1933 Act by the close of business in New York City on the second business
day immediately succeeding the date of this Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement. If the Company elects to rely on Rule 434, the Company
will provide the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers with copies
of the form of 434 Prospectus, in such numbers as the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers may reasonably request, by the close of business in New
York on the business day immediately succeeding the date of this Agreement and
the International Purchase Agreement.
(c) Filing of Amendments. The Company will give the
Global Coordinator notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to
the Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendment) or any
amendment or supplement to the Prospectuses (including any revised prospectus
which the Company proposes for use by the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers in connection with the offering of the Securities which
differs from the prospectus on file at the Commission at the time the
Registration Statement becomes effective, whether or not such revised
prospectus is required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act
Regulations, and any term sheet prepared in reliance on Rule 434 of the 1933
Act Regulations), will furnish the Global Coordinator with copies of any such
amendment or supplement a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed
filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file any such amendment or
supplement to which the Global Coordinator shall reasonably object.
(d) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company
will deliver to the U.S. Representatives as many signed copies of the
Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto
(including exhibits filed therewith) as the U.S. Representatives may reasonably
request and will also deliver to the U.S. Representatives as many conformed
copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment
thereto (without exhibits) as the U.S. Representatives may reasonably request
for each of the U.S. Underwriters.
(e) Delivery of U.S. Prospectus. The Company will
furnish to each U.S. Underwriter, from time to time during the period when the
U.S. Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act,
such number of copies of the U.S. Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as
such U.S. Underwriter may reasonably request for the purposes
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contemplated by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the
1934 Act Regulations.
(f) Amendments and Supplements to Prospectuses. If any
event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers, to amend or supplement the
Prospectuses in order to make the Prospectuses not misleading in the light of
the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, the
Company will forthwith amend or supplement the Prospectuses and provide drafts
thereof to the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers and provide
them a reasonable opportunity to review such drafts and provide comments with
respect thereto, so that, as so amended or supplemented, the Prospectuses will
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances existing at the time the Prospectuses are delivered to a
purchaser, not misleading, and the Company will furnish to the U.S.
Underwriters and the International Managers a reasonable number of copies of
any amendment or amendments of or supplement or supplements to, the
Prospectuses.
(g) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will endeavor,
in cooperation with the U.S. Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for
offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other
jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Global Coordinator may designate;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to qualify as a
foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified. In
each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been qualified as above
provided, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be required
by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification in effect for a
period of not less than one year from the effective date of the Registration
Statement.
(h) Rule 158. The Company will make generally available
to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than 90 days
after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (which
need not be audited, but in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 of
the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Company covering a twelve-month period
beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next
following the "effective date" (as defined in said Rule 158) of the
Registration Statement.
(i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net
proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified
in the Prospectuses under "Use of Proceeds."
(j) Omission of Information. If, at the time that the
Registration Statement becomes effective, any information shall have been
omitted therefrom in reliance upon Rule 430A of the 1933 Act Regulations, then
immediately following the execution of this Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement, the Company will prepare, and file or transmit for filing
with the Commission in accordance with such Rule 430A and Rule 424(b) of the
1933 Act Regulations, copies of amended Prospectus, or, if required by such
Rule 430A, a post-effective amendment to
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the Registration Statement (including amended Prospectuses), containing all
information so omitted.
(k) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to
effect the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange and will
use every reasonable effort to maintain the listing of the Securities on the
New York Stock Exchange.
(l) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During a period
of 90 days from the date of the Prospectuses, the Company will not, without the
prior written consent of the Global Coordinator, directly or indirectly, sell,
offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, any
Common Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for Common Stock (except for Common Stock or options issued pursuant to this
Agreement or the International Purchase Agreement or pursuant to reservations,
agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Prospectuses).
(m) Stabilization or Manipulation. Prior to the time at
which the distribution of the Securities is completed, the Company shall not,
directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or
that constitutes or might reasonably be expected to constitute, stabilization
or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the
sale or resale of the Securities or (ii) bid for, purchase or pay anyone any
compensation for soliciting purchases of, the Securities.
SECTION 4. Covenants of the Selling Stockholders.
Each of the Selling Stockholders covenants with each of the U.S. Underwriters
as follows:
(a) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During a period
of 90 days from the date of the Prospectuses, such Selling Stockholder will
not, without the prior written consent of the Global Coordinator, directly or
indirectly, sell, offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise
dispose of, any Common Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable
or exercisable for Common Stock (except for Common Stock sold pursuant to this
Agreement or the International Purchase Agreement).
(b) Stabilization or Manipulation. Prior to the time at
which the distribution of the Securities is completed, the Selling Stockholders
shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or
result in, or that constitutes or might reasonably be expected to constitute,
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to
facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or (ii) bid for, purchase or
pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of, the Securities.
(c) Form W-9. Each Selling Shareholder agrees to deliver
to the U.S. Representatives prior to or at Closing Time a properly completed
and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or other applicable
form or statement specified by Treasury Department regulations in lieu
thereof).
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SECTION 5. Payment of Expenses. The Company will pay
all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company and
the Selling Stockholders under this Agreement, including (i) the printing and
filing of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment
thereto, (ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Securities to the
U.S. Underwriters, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel
and accountants and of counsel to the Selling Stockholders, (iv) the expenses
in connection with the qualification of the Securities under state or other
securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g) hereof,
including filing fees and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the U.S.
Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of
the Blue Sky Survey, (v) the printing and delivery to the U.S. Underwriters of
copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment
thereto, of each of the preliminary prospectuses, and of the Prospectuses and
any amendments or supplements thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the
U.S. Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey, (vii) the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with any filings required to be made by the U.S.
Underwriters with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and
(viii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
Securities on the New York Stock Exchange.
If this Agreement is terminated by the U.S. Representatives in
accordance with the provisions of Section 6 hereof or Section 10(a)(i) hereof,
the Company shall reimburse the U.S. Underwriters for all of their
out-of-pocket expenses, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the
U.S. Underwriters.
SECTION 6. Conditions of Obligations of the U.S.
Underwriters. The obligations of the several U.S. Underwriters hereunder are
subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company
and the Selling Stockholders herein contained at the date hereof and at Closing
Time, to the performance by the Company and the Selling Stockholders of their
obligations hereunder required to be performed prior to Closing Time, and to
the following further conditions:
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The
Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:30 P.M. on
the date hereof or at such later time and date as may be approved by the U.S.
Representatives; and at Closing Time and any Date of Delivery, as the case may
be, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or
threatened by the Commission. If the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 430A
of the 1933 Act Regulations, the initial public offering price per share of the
Securities, the purchase price per share to be paid by the U.S. Underwriters
and the International Managers, and any other price-related information
previously omitted from the effective Registration Statement pursuant to such
Rule 430A shall have been transmitted to the Commission for filing pursuant to
Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations within the prescribed time period, and
prior to Closing Time the Company shall have provided evidence satisfactory to
the Global Coordinator of such timely filing, or a post-effective amendment
providing such information shall have been promptly filed and declared
effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A of the 1933 Act
Regulations.
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(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Company and the Selling
Stockholders. At Closing Time the U.S. Representatives shall have received:
(i) The favorable opinion, dated as of Closing
Time, of Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx L.L.P., counsel for the Company and the
Selling Stockholders, in form and substance satisfactory to the U.S.
Representatives, to the effect set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
(ii) The favorable opinion, dated as of Closing
Time, of Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxx, XxXxxxxx & Xxxxx, counsel for
the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the U.S.
Representatives, to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto.
(c) Opinion of Counsel for the U.S. Underwriters. The
favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Xxxxx & Xxxxx, L.L.P., counsel
for the U.S. Underwriters, with respect to the matters set forth in (i), (iv),
(v), (vi) (solely as to preemptive rights arising by operation of law or under
the charter or by-laws of the Company), (vii), (viii) and (xi) and the
penultimate paragraph of Exhibit A hereto. In giving such opinions, Xxxxx &
Xxxxx, L.L.P. may state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters,
they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers
of the Company and its Subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.
(d) Officers' Certificate. At Closing Time there shall
not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, any
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the
ordinary course of business, and the U.S. Representatives shall have received a
certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Company and of the
chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of Closing
Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change,
(ii) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section
1(a) of this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as
though expressly made at and as of Closing Time, (iii) the Company has complied
with all covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to
be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and,
to the knowledge of each such officer, no proceedings for that purpose have
been initiated or threatened by the Commission. As used in this Section 6(d),
the term "Prospectuses" means the Prospectuses in the form first used to
confirm sales of the Securities.
(e) Certificate of Selling Stockholders. At Closing Time
the U.S. Representatives shall have received a certificate from each of the
Selling Stockholders, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) the
representations and warranties of such Selling Stockholder contained in Section
1(b) are true and correct with the same force and effect as though
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expressly made at and as of Closing Time and (ii) such Selling Stockholder has
complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be
performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time.
(f) Accountant's Comfort Letter. At the time of the
execution of this Agreement, the U.S. Representatives shall have received from
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance
satisfactory to the U.S. Representatives, to the effect that (i) they are
independent public accountants with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries
within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; (ii) it is
their opinion that the financial statements and supporting schedules included
in the Registration Statement and covered by their opinions therein comply as
to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations; (iii) based upon limited procedures
set forth in detail in such letter, nothing has come to their attention that
causes them to believe that (A) the unaudited financial statements and
supporting schedules and other financial information of the Company and its
Subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement do not comply as to form in
all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933
Act and the 1933 Act Regulations or are not presented in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis substantially
consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the
Registration Statement, (B) the unaudited amounts of revenues, net income and
net income per share set forth under "Selected Financial Information" in the
Prospectuses were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with that
used in determining the corresponding amounts in the audited financial
statements included in the Registration Statement, or (C) at a specified date
not more than three days prior to the date of this Agreement, there has been
any change in the capital stock of the Company or any increase in the
consolidated long term debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any decrease
in consolidated net current assets or stockholder's equity as compared with the
amounts shown in the June 30, 1997 balance sheet included in the Registration
Statement or, during the period from June 30, 1997 to a specified date not more
than three days prior to the date of this Agreement, there were any decreases,
as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year, in
consolidated revenues, operating income, net income, or net income per share of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, except in all instances for changes,
increases or decreases which the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses
disclose have occurred or may occur; and (iv) in addition to the examination
referred to in their opinions and the limited procedures referred to in clause
(iii) above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not
constituting an audit, with respect to certain amounts, percentages and
financial information which are included in the Registration Statement and
Prospectuses and which are specified by the U.S. Representatives, and have
found such amounts, percentages and financial information to be in agreement
with the relevant accounting, financial and other records of the Company and
its Subsidiaries identified in such letter.
(g) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time the U.S.
Representatives shall have received from Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP a letter, dated as
of Closing Time to the effect that they confirm the statements made in the
letter furnished pursuant to subsection (f) of this Section, except that the
specified date referred to in such letter shall be a date not more than three
days
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prior to Closing Time and, if the Company has elected to rely on Rule 430A of
the 1933 Act Regulations, to the further effect that they have carried out
procedures as specified in clause (iv) of subsection (f) of this Section with
respect to certain amounts, percentages and financial information specified by
the U.S. Representatives and deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 430(A)(b) and have found such amounts, percentages and
financial information to be in agreement with the records specified in such
clause (iv).
(h) Additional Documents. At Closing Time and at each
Date of Delivery, if any, counsel for the U.S. Underwriters shall have been
furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for
the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the U.S.
Securities as herein contemplated and related proceedings, or in order to
evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the
fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings
taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities
as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the U.S.
Representatives and counsel for the U.S. Underwriters.
(i) Approval of Listing. At Closing Time, the Securities
shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject
only to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution.
(j) Lock-Up Agreements. At Closing Time the Company
shall have furnished to the U.S. Representatives "lock-up" letters, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the U.S. Representatives, signed by
each of the Company's current directors, the Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Children's Trust,
and the Xxxxx Xxxxxx Children's Trust, pursuant to which each such person shall
agree not to offer for sale, sell, grant an option for the sale of, or
otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable into or exercisable for Common
Stock owned by such person or with respect to which such person has the power
of disposition, for a period of 90 days from the date of the Prospectuses,
without the prior written consent of the Xxxxxxx Xxxxx.
(k) Satisfaction of U.S. Representatives. At Closing
Time and at each Date of Delivery, if any, all actions, proceedings,
instruments, opinions and documents required in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the U.S. Representatives, and the Company and the
Selling Stockholders shall have delivered to the U.S. Representatives such
other certificates and documents as the U.S. Representatives shall reasonably
request.
(l) Purchase of Initial International Securities.
Contemporaneously with the purchase by the U.S. Underwriters of the Initial
U.S. Securities under this Agreement, the International managers shall have
purchased the Initial International Securities under the International Purchase
Agreement.
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(m) Conditions to Purchase of U.S. Option Securities. In
the event the U.S. Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2
hereof to purchase all or any part of the U.S. Option Securities, and the Date
of Delivery specified by the U.S. Underwriters for any such purchase is a date
other than Closing Time, the obligation of the U.S. Underwriters to purchase
all or any such portion of the U.S. Option Securities shall be subject, in
addition to the foregoing conditions, to the accuracy of the representations
and warranties of the Company and the Selling Stockholders at each Date of
Delivery, to the performance by the Company and the Selling Stockholders of
their obligations hereunder required to be performed prior to each Date of
Delivery, and to the receipt by the U.S. Underwriters of the following:
(i) Officer's Certificate. A certificate,
dated such Date of Delivery, of the President or a Vice President of
the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of
the Company confirming that the certificate delivered at Closing Time
pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof remains true as of such Date of
Delivery.
(ii) Certificate of Selling Stockholders. A
certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of each of the Selling
Stockholders confirming that the certificate delivered at Closing Time
pursuant to Section 6(e) hereof remains true and correct as of such
Date of Delivery.
(iii) Opinion of Counsel for the Company and
Selling Stockholders. The favorable opinion of Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx
L.L.P., counsel for the Company, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the U.S. Representatives, dated such Date of
Delivery, relating to the U.S. Option Securities and otherwise to the
same effect as the opinion required by Section 6(b)(i) hereof.
(iv) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. The
favorable opinion of Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxx, XxXxxxxx & Xxxxx,
counsel for the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the U.S. Representatives, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to
the U.S. Option Securities and otherwise to the same effect as the
opinion required by Section 6(b)(ii) hereof.
(v) Opinion of Counsel for the U.S.
Underwriters. The favorable opinion of Xxxxx & Xxxxx, L.L.P., counsel
for the U.S. Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to
the U.S. Option Securities and otherwise to the same effect as the
opinion required by Section 6(c) hereof.
(vi) Bring-down Comfort Letter. A letter, dated
as of such Date of Delivery, from Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the U.S. Representatives,
substantially the same in scope and substance as the letter furnished
pursuant to Section 6(g) hereof, except that the "specified date" in
such letter shall be a date not more than three days prior to such
Date of Delivery.
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(n) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified
in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be
fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the U.S. Representatives by
notice to the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time, and such
termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except
as provided in Section 5 hereof. Notwithstanding any such termination, the
provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 9 hereof shall remain in effect.
SECTION 7. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification of U.S. Underwriters. The Company
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each U.S. Underwriter and each person, if
any, who controls any U.S. Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act to the extent and in the manner set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and
(iii) below. In addition, subject to the provisions of this Section 7, each
Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each U.S. Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any U.S.
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim,
damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of or based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto), including the information deemed to be part of the
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A(b) of the 1933 Act
Regulations, if applicable, or the omission or alleged omission
therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out
of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectuses (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission
therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim,
damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the
aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body,
commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any
such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue
statement or omission, if such settlement is effected with the written
consent of the Company and the Selling Stockholders; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as
incurred (including the fees and expenses of counsel chosen by the
U.S. Representatives), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing
or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or
proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or
(ii) above;
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provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
U.S. Underwriter through Xxxxxxx Xxxxx expressly for use in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectuses (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The foregoing indemnity
with respect to any untrue statement contained in or omission from a
preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any U.S. Underwriter
(or any person controlling such U.S. Underwriter) from whom the person
asserting any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense purchased any of
the U.S. Securities which are the subject thereof if the Company or the Selling
Stockholders shall sustain the burden of proving that such person was not sent
or given a copy of the U.S. Prospectus (or the U.S. Prospectus as amended or
supplemented) (in each case exclusive of the documents from which information
is incorporated by reference) at or prior to the written confirmation of the
sale of such U.S. Securities to such person and the untrue statement contained
in or omission from such preliminary prospectus was corrected in the U.S.
Prospectus (or the U.S. Prospectus amended or supplemented).
In making a claim for indemnification under this Section 7
(other than pursuant to clause (a)(iii) of this Section 7) or contribution
under Section 8 by the Company or the Selling Stockholders, the indemnified
parties may proceed against either (i) both the Company and the Selling
Stockholders or (ii) the Company only, but may not proceed solely against the
Selling Stockholders. In the event that the indemnified parties are entitled
to seek indemnity or contribution hereunder against any loss, liability, claim,
damage and expense incurred with respect to a final judgment from a trial court
then, as a precondition to any indemnified party obtaining indemnification or
contribution from either of the Selling Stockholders (but not the Company
alone), the indemnified parties shall first obtain a final judgment from a
trial court that such indemnified parties are entitled to indemnity or
contribution under this Agreement with respect to such loss, liability, claim,
damage or expense (the "Final Judgment") from the Company and the Selling
Stockholders and shall seek to satisfy such Final Judgment in full from the
Company by making a written demand upon the Company for such satisfaction.
Only in the event such Final Judgment shall remain unsatisfied in whole or in
part 45 days following the date of receipt by the Company of such demand shall
any indemnified party have the right to take action to satisfy such Final
Judgment by making demand directly on the Selling Stockholders (but only if and
to the extent the Company has not already satisfied such Final Judgment,
whether by settlement, release or otherwise). The indemnified parties may
exercise this right to first seek to obtain payment from the Company and
thereafter obtain payment from the Selling Stockholders without regard to the
pursuit by any party of its rights to the appeal of such Final Judgment. The
indemnified parties shall, however, be relieved of their obligation to first
obtain a Final Judgment, seek to obtain payment from the Company with respect
to such Final Judgment or, having sought such payment, to wait such 45 days
after failure by the Company to immediately satisfy any such Final Judgment if
(i) the Company files a petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy
Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), (ii) an order for relief is entered against the
Company in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code and the continuance in
effect of such order for 60
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consecutive days, (iii) the Company makes an assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, or (iv) any court orders or approves the appointment of a receiver
or custodian for the Company or a substantial portion of its assets and the
continuance in effect of such order for 60 consecutive days. The foregoing
provisions of this paragraph are not intended to require any indemnified party
to obtain a Final Judgment against the Company or the Selling Stockholders
before obtaining reimbursement of expenses pursuant to clause (a)(iii) of this
Section 7. However, the indemnified parties shall first seek to obtain such
reimbursement in full from the Company by making a written demand upon the
Company for such reimbursement. Only in the event such expenses shall remain
unreimbursed in whole or in part 45 days following the date of receipt by the
Company of such demand shall any indemnified party have the right to receive
reimbursement of such expenses from the Selling Stockholders by making written
demand directly on the Selling Stockholders (but only if and to the extent the
Company has not already satisfied the demand for reimbursement, whether by
settlement, release or otherwise). The indemnified parties shall, however, be
relieved of their obligation to first seek to obtain such reimbursement in full
from the Company or, having made written demand therefor, to wait such 45 days
after failure by the Company to immediately reimburse such expenses if (i) the
Company files a petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) an order
for relief is entered against the Company in an involuntary case under the
Bankruptcy Code and the continuance in effect of such order for 60 consecutive
days, (iii) the Company makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
or (iv) any court orders or approves the appointment of a receiver or custodian
for the Company or a substantial portion of its assets and the continuance in
effect of such order for 60 consecutive days.
(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers
and Selling Stockholders. Each U.S. Underwriter agrees, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its
officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, and each
Selling Stockholder against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section,
but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue
statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the U.S. Prospectus (or any amendment
or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such U.S. Underwriter through Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the U.S. Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto).
(c) Actions Against Parties; Notification. Each
indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to
each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify the indemnifying
party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may
have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of
parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(a) above, counsel to the indemnified
parties shall be selected by Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, and, in the case of parties
indemnified pursuant to Section 7(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties
shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at
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its own expense in the defense of such action. In no event shall the
indemnifying party be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel
(in addition to any local counsel) separate from its own counsel for all
indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar
or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general
allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to
the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation
or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or
any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could
be sought under this Section 7 or Section 8 hereof (whether or not the
indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such
settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each
indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation,
investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to
or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of
any indemnified party.
(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.
If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party
to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and expenses of counsel,
such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of
the nature contemplated by Section 7(a)(ii) effected without its written
consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt
by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying
party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30
days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying
party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such
request prior to the date of such settlement. Notwithstanding the immediately
preceding sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel, an indemnifying party shall not be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 7(a)(ii) effected without its
consent if such indemnifying party (i) reimburses such indemnified party in
accordance with such request to the extent it considers such request to be
reasonable and (ii) provides written notice to the indemnified party
substantiating the unpaid balance as unreasonable, in each case prior to the
date of such settlement.
(e) Limitation of Selling Stockholder Liability. No
Selling Stockholder shall be responsible for the payment of an amount, pursuant
to this Section 7, which exceeds the net proceeds received by such Selling
Stockholder from the sale of the Securities by such Selling Stockholder
hereunder.
SECTION 8. Contribution. In order to provide for just
and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement
provided for in Section 7 hereof is for any reason held to be unenforceable by
the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with its terms, the
Company, the Selling Stockholders and the U.S. Underwriters shall contribute to
the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature
contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the
Selling Stockholders and one or more of the U.S. Underwriters, as incurred, in
such proportions that (i) the U.S.
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Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage
that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectuses
bears to the initial public offering price appearing thereon and (ii) the
Company and the Selling Shareholders are severally responsible for the balance
on the same basis as each of them would have been obligated to provide
indemnification pursuant to Section 7; provided, however, that no person found
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the 1933 Act) by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, (a) no
U.S. Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such U.S. Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in
respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses and (b) no
Selling Stockholder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder in connection
herewith exceed the aggregate amount such Selling Stockholder has otherwise
paid pursuant hereto and to Section 7(a). For purposes of this Section, each
person, if any, who controls a U.S. Underwriter within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such U.S.
Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who
signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Company.
SECTION 9. Representations, Warranties and Agreements
to Survive Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained
in this Agreement, or contained in certificates of officers of the Company or
certificates of the Selling Stockholders submitted pursuant hereto, shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of any U.S. Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on
behalf of the Company or the Selling Stockholders, and shall survive delivery
of the Securities to the U.S. Underwriters.
SECTION 10. Termination of Agreement.
(a) The U.S. Representatives may terminate this
Agreement, by notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholders, at any time
at or prior to Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the date of this
Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, any material adverse change in the
condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or
business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii)
if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets of
the United States or internationally or any outbreak or escalation of
hostilities or other calamity or crisis, the effect of which is such as to make
it, in the judgment of the U.S. Representatives, impracticable to market the
Securities or enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if
trading in the Common Stock has been suspended by the Commission or any
exchange, or (iv) if trading generally on either the New York Stock Exchange,
the American
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Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended, or minimum or
maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for
securities have been required, by either of said exchanges or by order of the
Commission or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium has
been declared by either federal, New York, Delaware or Louisiana authorities,
the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the U.S.
Representatives, impracticable to market the Securities or enforce contracts
for the sale of the Securities.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this
Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
party except as provided in Section 5 hereof. Notwithstanding any such
termination, the provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 9 hereof shall remain in
effect.
SECTION 11. Default by One or More of the U.S.
Underwriters. If any one of the U.S. Underwriters shall fail to purchase and
pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such U.S. Underwriter
under this Agreement (the "Defaulted Securities") and such failure to purchase
shall constitute a default in the performance of its obligations hereunder and
thereunder, the remaining U.S. Underwriters or U.S. Representatives shall have
the right, within 48 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of
the non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters or any other underwriters to purchase all,
but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be
agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the U.S.
Underwriters or U.S. Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements
within said 48-hour period, then:
(a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed
10% of the number of U.S. Securities to be purchased on such date, the
non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly,
to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective
underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all
non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters, or
(b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of
the number of U.S. Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or,
with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing Time, the
obligation of the U.S. Underwriters to purchase and of the Selling Stockholder
to sell the U.S. Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such Date of
Delivery, shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
U.S. Underwriter.
No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any
defaulting U.S. Underwriter from any liability it may have hereunder in respect
of its default.
In the event of any such default which does not result in a
termination of this Agreement, each of the U.S. Representatives or the Company
shall have the right to postpone Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven
days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectuses or in any other documents or arrangements.
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34
SECTION 12. Default by One or More of the Selling
Stockholders or the Company. If a Selling Stockholder shall fail at Closing
Time or at a Date of Delivery to sell and deliver the number of Securities
which such Selling Stockholder is obligated to sell hereunder, and the other
Selling Stockholders do not exercise the right hereby granted to increase, pro
rata or otherwise, the number of Securities to be sold by them hereunder to the
total number to be sold by all Selling Stockholders as set forth in Schedule B
hereto, then the U.S. Underwriters may, at their option, by notice from the
U.S. Representatives to the Company and the non-defaulting Selling
Stockholders, either (a) terminate this Agreement without any liability on the
part of any non-defaulting party or (b) elect to purchase the Securities which
the Company and the non-defaulting Selling Stockholders have agreed to sell
hereunder.
In the event of a default by any Selling Stockholder as
referred to in this Section, each of the U.S. Representatives, the Company
and the non-defaulting Selling Stockholders shall have the right to postpone
Closing Time for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any
required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectuses or in any other
documents or arrangements.
If the Company shall fail at Closing Time to sell and deliver
the number of Securities which it is obligated to sell hereunder, then this
Agreement shall terminate without any liability on the part of any
non-defaulting party.
No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve the
Company or any Selling Stockholder or Selling Stockholders so defaulting from
liability, if any, in respect of such default.
SECTION 13. Notices. All notices and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication.
Notices to the U.S. Underwriters shall be directed to the U.S. Representatives
c/x Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co./Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated,
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx World Headquarters, North Tower, World Financial Center, New
York, New York 10281, to the attention of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Syndicate
Department; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000, to the attention of Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx; and notices to the Selling Stockholders shall be directed to them in
care of the Company at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx
00000.
SECTION 14. Parties. This Agreement shall each inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the U.S. Underwriters, the Company and the
Selling Stockholders and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or
mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any
person, firm or corporation, other than the U.S. Underwriters, the Company and
the Selling Stockholders and their respective successors and the controlling
persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 7 and 8 hereof and
their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained.
This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for
the sole and exclusive benefit of the U.S. Underwriters, the
30
35
Company and the Selling Stockholders and their respective successors, and said
controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal
representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation.
No purchaser of Securities from any U.S. Underwriter shall be deemed to be a
successor by reason merely of such purchase.
SECTION 15. Governing Law and Time. THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SAID STATE,
WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. Except where otherwise
provided, specified times of day refer to New York City time.
SECTION 16. Effect of Headings. The Article and
Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and
shall not affect the construction hereof.
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of
our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof,
whereupon this instrument along with all counterparts will become a binding
agreement between the Company, each of the Selling Stockholders and each of the
U.S. Underwriters in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
OCEAN ENERGY, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
--------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
----------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx.
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
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CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written:
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
XXXXXX, XXXX, LABOUISSE, XXXXXXXXXX
INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO., INC.
XXXXX XXXXXX INC.
By: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
-------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
For themselves and as U.S. Representatives of the
other U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.
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SCHEDULE A
Number of Initial U.S.
Name of U.S. Underwriter Securities to be Purchased
------------------------- --------------------------
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Howard, Weil, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx & Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
----------
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,280,000
=========
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SCHEDULE B
Maximum Number of U.S.
Number of Initial U.S. Option Securities
Name Securities to be Sold to be Sold
---- --------------------- ------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx 416,000 492,000
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx. 48,000 0
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx 16,000 0
------- -------
Total 480,000 492,000
======= =======
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SCHEDULE C
3,280,000 SHARES
OCEAN ENERGY, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE)
(i) The public offering price per share of the U.S.
Securities, determined as provided in Section 2, shall be $___________.
(ii) The purchase price per share for the U.S. Securities
to be paid by the several U.S. Underwriters shall be $___________, being an
amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less
$___________ per share; provided that the purchase price per share for any U.S.
Option Securities purchased upon the exercise of the over-allotment option
described in Section 2(b) shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any
dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial
U.S. Securities but not payable on the U.S. Option Securities.
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 6(b)(i)
(i) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(ii) The Company has full corporate power and authority to own,
lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and to enter into and perform
its obligations under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement.
(iii) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company is as set forth in the Prospectuses under "Capitalization" (except for
issuances, if any, subsequent to the date of the Prospectus pursuant to
reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the
Prospectus) and the shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable.
(iv) The U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase
Agreement have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company and each of the Selling Stockholders.
(v) The Securities to be sold by the Company have been duly
authorized for issuance by the Company and sale to the U.S. Underwriters and
the International Managers pursuant to the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the
International Purchase Agreement, respectively, and, when issued and delivered
by the Company pursuant to the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement, respectively, against payment of the consideration set
forth therein, such Securities will be validly issued and fully paid and
nonassessable.
(vi) The issuance of the Securities to be sold by the Company under
the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement is not
subject to preemptive or other similar rights to subscribe to or purchase the
same arising by operation of law, under the charter or by-laws of the Company
or, to the best of our knowledge and information, otherwise.
(vii) The Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933
Act; any required filings of the Prospectuses or any supplements thereto
pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations have been made in the
manner and in the time period required by said Rule 424(b); and, after due
inquiry, to our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
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Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings
therefor have been initiated or threatened by the Commission.
(viii) At the time the Registration Statement became effective, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectuses and any supplements or amendments
thereto (other than the financial statements and notes thereto and related
schedules and other financial data included therein and the reserve data
included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) complied as to form
in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and
the 1933 Act Regulations.
(ix) Each document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act (other than
financial statements and notes thereto and related schedules and other
financial data included therein and the reserve data included therein, as to
which no opinion need be rendered), and incorporated by reference or deemed
incorporated by reference in the Prospectuses at the time of filing complied as
to form in all material respects with the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act
Regulations.
(x) No authorization, approval, consent or order of any court or
governmental authority or agency is required in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance of the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement or the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities by the
Company to the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers under the U.S.
Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, respectively,
except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations,
the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations, and state or foreign securities laws
for the offering and sale of the Securities; and the execution, delivery and
performance of the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase
Agreement, respectively, by the Company and the issuance and sale of the
Securities under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase
Agreement, respectively, and the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated therein, and compliance by the Company with its obligations
thereunder, will not conflict with or constitute a breach or violation of, or
default under, or give rise to any right of termination or acceleration under,
or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon
any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, any material contract,
indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument or
agreement to which it is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any
of the property or assets of the Company is subject, nor will such action
conflict with or result in any breach or violation of the provisions of the
charter or by-laws of the Company, or of any applicable law, administrative
regulation or, to our best knowledge and information, any administrative or
court decree.
(xi) The Common Stock conforms as to legal matters to the
description thereof contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
8-A dated March 8, 1996, and the form of certificate used to evidence the
Common Stock is in due and proper form and complies with all applicable
statutory requirements.
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43
(xii) To our best knowledge and information, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending or threatened against the Company that are
required to be disclosed in the Prospectuses, other than those disclosed
therein.
(xiii) To our best knowledge and information, the Company is not in
violation of its charter or by-laws.
(xiv) To our best knowledge and information, there are no contracts,
indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other instruments
required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectuses or to be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference into
the Registration Statement other than those described or referred to therein or
filed as exhibits or incorporated by reference thereto, and the descriptions
thereof or references thereto are correct.
(xv) The information in the Prospectuses under the caption
"Business and Properties - Governmental Regulation" and "Business and
Properties - Environmental Matters" to the extent that it describes statutes or
regulations, documents or legal or governmental proceedings, has been reviewed
by such counsel and is correct in all material respects.
(xvi) To our best knowledge and information, no holder of securities
of the Company has rights to require the registration of such securities as a
result of the filing of the Registration Statement, or in connection with the
offering of the Securities that have not been either complied with or duly and
effectively waived.
(xvii) No authorization, approval, consent or order of any court or
governmental authority or agency is required in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance of the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement or the offering or sale of the Securities by the Selling
Stockholders to the U.S. Underwriters under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and to
the International Managers under the International Purchase Agreement, except
such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934
Act or the 1934 Act Regulations, and state or foreign securities laws for the
offering and sale of the Securities; and the execution, delivery and
performance of the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase
Agreement by the Selling Stockholders and the sale of the Securities by the
Selling Stockholders under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International
Purchase Agreement and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated
therein, and compliance by the Selling Stockholders with its obligations
thereunder, will not conflict with or constitute a breach or violation of, or
default under, or give rise to any right of termination or acceleration under,
or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon
any property or assets of the Selling Stockholders pursuant to, any material
contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument
or agreement to which either of them is a party or by which either of them may
be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Selling Stockholders
is subject, nor will such action conflict with or result in any breach or
violation of
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any applicable law, administrative regulation or, to our best knowledge and
information, any administrative or court decree.
(xviii) Immediately prior to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase
Agreement, each Selling Stockholder was the sole record owner of the Securities
to be sold by such Selling Stockholder under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and
the International Purchase Agreement; upon delivery of the Securities to be
sold by the Selling Stockholders under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the
International Purchase Agreement and payment of the purchase price therefor as
contemplated by the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase
Agreement, assuming (a) the U.S. Underwriters have purchased the Securities for
value and without notice of any adverse claim or actual knowledge of a
restriction on transfer and (b) the certificates evidencing the Securities are
registered in the name of the U.S. Underwriters or endorsed to the U.S.
Underwriters, (i) the U.S. Underwriters will have acquired all rights of such
Selling Stockholder in the Securities free of any adverse claim, any lien in
favor of the Company and any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company
and (ii) the owner of the Securities, if other than such Selling Stockholder,
is precluded from asserting against the U.S. Underwriters the ineffectiveness
of any unauthorized endorsement or instruction.
(xix) The Selling Stockholders have all necessary power and
authority to enter into and perform their respective obligations under the U.S.
Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement.
In addition, we have participated in the preparation of the
Registration Statement and Prospectuses and, although we are not passing upon,
and do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of,
any portion of the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses (relying to a
large extent as to factual matters upon certificates of officers and directors
of the Company and certificates of the Selling Stockholders), nothing has come
to our attention that causes us to believe that the Registration Statement
(except for financial statements and schedules and the notes thereto and other
financial data included therein and the reserve data included therein, as to
which we make no statement), at the time it became effective, contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading or that the Prospectuses (except for financial statements and
schedules and the notes thereto and other financial data included therein and
the reserve data included therein, as to which we make no statement), at the
time the Prospectuses were issued or at Closing Time, included or includes an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
In giving such opinions, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx L.L.P. may state that,
insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the
extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and certificates of public officials; provided that such
certificates have been delivered to the U.S. Representatives.
A-4
45
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 6(b)(ii)
(i) Ocean Energy, Inc. a Louisiana corporation ("OEI
Louisiana") has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in
good standing under the laws of the state of Louisiana.
(ii). The Company is not required to qualify as a foreign
corporation to transact business in the state of Louisiana.
(iii) To our best knowledge and information, OEI Louisiana
is not in violation of its charter or by-laws.
Nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe
that the Registration Statement (except for financial statements and schedules
and the notes thereto and other financial data included therein and the reserve
data included therein, as to which we make no statement), at the time it became
effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectuses (except for
financial statements and schedules and the notes thereto and other financial
data included therein and the reserve data included therein, as to which we
make no statement), at the time the Prospectuses were issued or at Closing
Time, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or
omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
In giving such opinions, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxx, XxXxxxxx &
Xxxxx may state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they
have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and certificates of public officials; provided
that such certificates have been delivered to the Lead Managers.
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