UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Explanatory Note
As previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 6, 2025, Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership” or “Sunoco”), SunocoCorp LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sunoco (f/k/a NuStar GP Holdings, LLC) (“SunocoCorp”), 2709716 Alberta Ltd., an Alberta corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SunocoCorp, and Parkland Corporation, an Alberta corporation (“Parkland”), entered into an Arrangement Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2025 (as amended to date, the “Arrangement Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Sunoco will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Parkland (the “Parkland Acquisition”). Closing of the Parkland Acquisition is subject to customary conditions, including, among other things, regulatory and stock exchange listing approvals. No assurance can be given that the Parkland Acquisition will be completed on the timeline currently contemplated or at all. The Notes and the Series A Preferred Units (each as defined below) are subject to a special mandatory redemption conditioned on the Parkland Acquisition in certain respects, as described herein.
| Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |
On September 18, 2025, the Partnership completed a private offering to eligible purchasers (the “Notes Offering”) of (i) $1,000 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.625% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) and (ii) $900 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes” and, collectively with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes”), along with the related guarantees of the Notes. The Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $1,880 million from the Notes Offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and commissions, and the Partnership intends to use such net proceeds (i) on the closing date of the Parkland Acquisition (the “Effective Date”), together with the net proceeds of the concurrent Preferred Offering (as defined below), to fund a portion of the cash consideration for the Parkland Acquisition and related transaction costs, with the remaining proceeds, if any, to be used for general corporate purposes, and (ii) prior to the Effective Date, to temporarily reduce the borrowings outstanding under Sunoco’s revolving credit facility and pay interest and fees in connection therewith.
The Notes were issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and were resold by the initial purchasers in reliance on Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.
Indenture and Senior Notes
The Notes were issued under and are governed by an indenture dated September 18, 2025 (the “Indenture”), among the Partnership, certain subsidiary guarantors of the Partnership (the “Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The 2031 Notes will mature on March 15, 2031, and the 2034 Notes will mature on March 15, 2034. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on March 15, 2026.
The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Partnership and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Partnership’s current subsidiaries that guarantee its obligations under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, as well as by certain of its future subsidiaries. The Notes and related guarantees are unsecured and rank equally with all of the Partnership’s and each Guarantor’s existing and future senior obligations. The Notes and related guarantees are senior in right of payment to all of the Partnership’s and each Guarantor’s future indebtedness and other obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and guarantees. The Notes and related guarantees are effectively subordinated to the Partnership’s and each Guarantor’s future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and structurally subordinated to all obligations, including trade payables, of the Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes.
The Notes are subject to a special mandatory redemption at a price equal to 100% of the initial issue price plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the payment date of such mandatory redemption, if (x) the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition does not occur on or before May 5, 2026 (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”); or (y) prior thereto, the Partnership notifies the Trustee in writing that (a) the Arrangement Agreement has been terminated, (b) the Partnership will not pursue the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition or (c) the Partnership has determined in its sole discretion that the Parkland Acquisition cannot or is not reasonably likely to be completed by the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.
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The Partnership may, at its option, redeem some or all of the 2031 Notes at any time on or after September 15, 2027, at the redemption prices specified in the Indenture. Prior to such time, the Partnership may redeem some or all of the 2031 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2031 Notes redeemed, plus a customary “make-whole premium” and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, before September 15, 2027, the Partnership may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2031 Notes with an amount of cash not greater than net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at the redemption prices specified in the Indenture.
The Partnership may, at its option, redeem some or all of the 2034 Notes at any time on or after September 15, 2028, at the redemption prices specified in the Indenture. Prior to such time, the Partnership may redeem some or all of the 2034 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2034 Notes redeemed, plus a customary “make-whole premium” and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, before September 15, 2028, the Partnership may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Notes with an amount of cash not greater than net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at the redemption prices specified in the Indenture.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), which occurrence (other than one involving the adoption of a plan relating to liquidation or dissolution) is followed by a ratings decline within 60 days after the consummation of the transaction, each holder of the Notes may require the Partnership to repurchase all or a portion of the holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of repurchase.
The Indenture contains customary events of default (each an “Event of Default”), with respect to each series of the Notes, including the following:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes of the applicable series;
(2) default in the payment when due (at stated maturity, upon optional or mandatory redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes of that series;
(3) failure by the Partnership or any Guarantor to comply with their obligations to make or consummate a Change of Control offer or to comply with any of their agreements or covenants relating to merger, consolidation or sale of assets; provided that such failure (other than one involving failure to make or consummate a Change of Control offer) will not constitute an Event of Default for 30 days if such failure is capable of cure;
(4) failure by the Partnership for 180 days after notice by the Trustee or holders of 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the applicable series then outstanding to comply with its obligations to furnish the holders of the Notes of such series and the Trustee certain reports;
(5) failure by the Partnership or any Guarantor for 60 days after written notice by the Trustee or holders of 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the applicable series then outstanding to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture;
(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed of the Partnership or any Guarantor (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Partnership or any Guarantor) whether the indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, if that default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such indebtedness on the date of the default (a “Payment Default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any of the indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100.0 million or more; provided, however, that if, (i) any such Payment Default is cured or waived, (ii) any such acceleration is rescinded or (iii) such indebtedness is repaid during the ten business day period commencing upon the end of any applicable grace period for such Payment Default or the occurrence of
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such acceleration, as applicable, any default or Event of Default (but not any acceleration of the Notes) caused by such Payment Default or acceleration shall automatically be rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment, decree or applicable law;
(7) except as permitted under the Indenture, any guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its guarantee; and
(8) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the Indenture with respect to the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s significant subsidiaries or any group of the Partnership’s subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of a series may declare the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s significant subsidiaries or any group of the Partnership’s subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary, occurs and is continuing, all outstanding Notes of each series will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or any holders of the Notes of such series. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of each series may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes of such series and its consequences.
The above description of the Indenture, the Notes and the guarantees is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.
The information set forth in Item 5.03 is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.
| Item 2.03 | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant |
The information set forth in Item 1.01 relating to the Indenture under the heading “Indenture and Senior Notes” is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
| Item 3.03 | Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders. |
The information set forth in Item 5.03 is incorporated into this Item 3.03 by reference.
| Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Changes in Fiscal Year. |
Preferred Offering
On September 18, 2025, the Partnership closed the previously announced private offering of Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units (the “Series A Preferred Units” and such offering, the “Preferred Offering”). The Series A Preferred Units were sold to the initial purchasers in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act for resale to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $1,476 million from the Preferred Offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and commissions, and the Partnership intends to use such net proceeds (i) on the Effective Date, together with the net proceeds of the concurrent Notes Offering, to fund a portion of the cash consideration for the Parkland Acquisition and related transaction costs, with the remaining proceeds, if any, to be used for general corporate purposes, and (ii) prior to the Effective Date, to temporarily reduce the borrowings outstanding under Sunoco’s revolving credit facility and pay interest and fees in connection therewith.
On September 18, 2025, in connection with the issuance of an aggregate 1,500,000 of the Series A Preferred Units, Sunoco GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”), amended and restated the Partnership’s Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated as of February 12, 2025 (as amended and restated, the “Third Amended and Restated LPA”), to establish the rights and obligations of the Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units entitle the holders thereof to certain rights that are senior to the rights of holders of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”), such as rights to certain distributions and rights upon liquidation of the Partnership.
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As set forth in the Third Amended and Restated LPA, the Series A Preferred Units rank, with respect to anticipated semi-annual distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Partnership: (i) senior to any equity security, including the Common Units, other than any equity security referred to in the following clause (ii) or clause (iii); (ii) on a parity basis with any equity security issued by the Partnership with terms specifically providing that such equity security ranks on a parity basis with the Series A Preferred Units with respect to rights to the payment of distributions and/or distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Partnership’s affairs, as applicable; and (iii) junior to any equity security issued by the Partnership with terms specifically providing that such equity security ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Units with respect to rights to the payment of distributions and/or distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Partnership’s affairs, as applicable. The annual distribution rate on each Series A Preferred Unit is 7.875% per annum of the $1,000 liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Unit (equal to $78.75 per Series A Preferred Unit per annum) from September 18, 2025 to, but excluding, September 18, 2030 (the “First Reset Date”). On and after the First Reset Date, the distribution rate on each Series A Preferred Unit shall equal the five-year U.S. Treasury rate as of the most recent reset distribution determination date, plus a spread of 4.230% per annum; provided that the five-year U.S. Treasury rate for each reset period will not be lower than 1.00%. The Series A Preferred Units have a liquidation preference of $1,000 per Series A Preferred Unit, plus accumulated but unpaid distributions. Cumulative cash distributions on the Series A Preferred Units are payable semi-annually, in arrears, on each March 18 and September 18, commencing on March 18, 2026, when, as and if declared by the board of directors of the General Partner.
At any time on or after the First Reset Date, the Partnership may redeem the Series A Preferred Units in whole or in part at a redemption price payable in cash of $1,000 per Series A Preferred Unit, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and will be subject to compliance with the applicable provisions of the Partnership’s outstanding indebtedness.
Upon the occurrence of a Rating Event (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated LPA), the Partnership may, at its option, redeem the Series A Preferred Units in whole, but not in part, within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by the Partnership following the occurrence of a Rating Event at a redemption price payable in cash of $1,020 (102% of the liquidation preference) per Series A Preferred Unit, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, whether or not declared.
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Trigger Event (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated LPA), the Partnership may, at its option, redeem Series A Preferred Units in whole or in part within 120 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control Trigger Event at a redemption price payable in cash of $1,030 (103% of the liquidation preference) per Series A Preferred Unit for a Change of Control Trigger Event that occurs before September 18, 2026, $1,020 (102% of the liquidation preference) per Series A Preferred Unit for a Change of Control Trigger Event that occurs on or after September 18, 2026 and before September 18, 2027 or $1,010 (101% of the liquidation preference) per Series A Preferred Unit for a Change of Control Trigger Event that occurs on or after September 18, 2027 and before September 18, 2030, plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, whether or not declared. If the Partnership does not exercise its right to redeem all Series A Preferred Units within 120 days after the first date on which a Change of Control Trigger Event occurs, the then-applicable distribution rate for the Series A Preferred Units not so redeemed will be increased by 5.00%.
The Series A Preferred Units are subject to a special mandatory redemption at a price equal to $1,000 per Series A Preferred Unit plus, in each case, an amount equal to all accumulated but unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the payment date of such mandatory redemption, if (x) the Parkland Acquisition has not been completed on or prior to the Special Mandatory Redemption Date; or (y) prior thereto, the Partnership notifies the paying agent in writing that, (a) the Arrangement Agreement is terminated or (b) the Partnership will not pursue the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition or (c) the Partnership has determined in its sole discretion that the Parkland Acquisition cannot or is not reasonably likely to be completed by the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.
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Holders of the Series A Preferred Units generally have no voting rights, except for limited voting rights with respect to (i) amendments to the limited partnership agreement of the Partnership that would have a material adverse effect on the powers, preferences, duties, or special rights of the Series A Preferred Units, (ii) the creation or issuance of any parity securities (including any additional Series A Preferred Units) if the cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units are in arrears and (iii) the creation or issuance of any senior securities. On any matter on which the holders of the Series A Preferred Units are entitled to vote, such holders will be entitled to one vote per Series A Preferred Unit. The Series A Preferred Units held by the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates will not be entitled to vote.
The Series A Preferred Units are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities of the Partnership. The foregoing description of the material terms of the Third Amended and Restated LPA does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Third Amended and Restated LPA, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Item 5.03 by reference.
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
In connection with the issuance of the Notes and Series A Preferred Units, all remaining commitments under the previously disclosed debt financing commitments provided by Barclays Bank PLC (and certain of its affiliates), Royal Bank of Canada (and certain of its affiliates) and other commitment parties terminated into accordance with the terms of such commitments.
Forward Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In this context, forward-looking statements often address future business and financial events, conditions, expectations, plans or ambitions, and often include, but are not limited to, words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “see,” “target” or similar expressions, or variations or negatives of these words, but not all forward-looking statements include such words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about the consummation of the proposed transaction and the anticipated benefits thereof. All such forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates, expectations and ambitions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of Sunoco and Parkland, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the completion of the proposed transaction on the anticipated terms and timing, or at all, including obtaining regulatory approvals, court approvals and approval of the listing of the common units of SunocoCorp, on the New York Stock Exchange; and the anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the combined company’s operations, including the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the ability of Sunoco and Parkland to integrate the business successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies and value creation; potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction that could be instituted against Sunoco, Parkland or their directors; the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction will harm Sunoco’s or Parkland’s business, including current plans and operations and that management’s time and attention will be diverted on transaction-related issues; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships, including with employees, suppliers, customers, competitors or credit rating agencies, resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; the potential for modification or adjustment of the Arrangement Agreement; the parties’ ability to satisfy their respective conditions and consummate the transaction; rating agency actions and Sunoco and Parkland’s ability to access short-and long-term debt markets on a timely and affordable basis; potential business uncertainty, including the outcome of commercial negotiations and changes to existing business relationships during the pendency of the proposed transaction that could affect Sunoco’s and/or Parkland’s financial performance and operating results; certain restrictions during the pendency of the arrangement that may impact Parkland’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions or otherwise operate its business; dilution caused by Sunoco’s issuance of additional units representing limited partner interests in connection with the proposed transaction; fees, costs and expenses and the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated; and those risks described (i) under the heading “Risk Factors” in the management information circular and proxy statement with respect to the Parkland Acquisition, as filed on the System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval + in Canada (SEDAR+) and available on Parkland’s website at http://www.parkland.ca, (ii) under the headings “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” in Parkland’s current Annual Information Form dated March 5, 2025, and under the headings “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” included in the Q4 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated March 5, 2025, in the Q1 2025 Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated May 5, 2025 and in the Q2 2025 Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated August 5, 2025, each as filed on the System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval + in Canada (SEDAR+) and available on Parkland’s website at http://www.parkland.ca,
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(iii) in Item 1A of Sunoco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 14, 2025, and (iv) in Item 1A of Sunoco’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2025 and August 7, 2025. Those disclosures are incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. Sunoco and Parkland do not intend to update these statements unless required by the securities laws to do so, and Sunoco and Parkland undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of Sunoco LP, dated as of September 18, 2025. | |
| 4.1 | Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2025, by and among Sunoco LP, the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| SUNOCO LP | ||||||
| By: | SUNOCO GP LLC, | |||||
| its General Partner | ||||||
| Date: September 18, 2025 | ||||||
| By: | /s/ Rick Raymer | |||||
| Name: | Rick Raymer | |||||
| Title: | Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer | |||||
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Exhibit 3.1
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
SUNOCO LP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| ARTICLE I |
| |||||
| DEFINITIONS |
| |||||
| Section 1.1 | Definitions | 2 | ||||
| Section 1.2 | Construction | 28 | ||||
| ARTICLE II |
| |||||
| ORGANIZATION |
| |||||
| Section 2.1 | Formation | 28 | ||||
| Section 2.2 | Name | 28 | ||||
| Section 2.3 | Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices | 28 | ||||
| Section 2.4 | Purpose and Business | 29 | ||||
| Section 2.5 | Powers | 29 | ||||
| Section 2.6 | Term | 29 | ||||
| Section 2.7 | Title to Partnership Assets | 29 | ||||
| ARTICLE III |
| |||||
| RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS |
| |||||
| Section 3.1 | Limitation of Liability | 30 | ||||
| Section 3.2 | Management of Business | 30 | ||||
| Section 3.3 | Outside Activities of the Limited Partners | 30 | ||||
| Section 3.4 | Rights of Limited Partners | 30 | ||||
| ARTICLE IV |
| |||||
| CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS |
| |||||
| Section 4.1 | Certificates | 31 | ||||
| Section 4.2 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates | 32 | ||||
| Section 4.3 | Record Holders | 32 | ||||
| Section 4.4 | Transfer Generally | 33 | ||||
| Section 4.5 | Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests | 33 | ||||
| Section 4.6 | Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest | 34 | ||||
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| Section 4.7 | Restrictions on Transfers | 35 | ||
| Section 4.8 | Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders | 35 | ||
| Section 4.9 | Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders | 37 | ||
| ARTICLE V | ||||
| CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS | ||||
| Section 5.1 | Organizational Contributions | 38 | ||
| Section 5.2 | Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates | 38 | ||
| Section 5.3 | Contributions by Initial Limited Partners | 38 | ||
| Section 5.4 | Interest and Withdrawal | 38 | ||
| Section 5.5 | Capital Accounts | 38 | ||
| Section 5.6 | Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests | 41 | ||
| Section 5.7 | Intentionally deleted | 42 | ||
| Section 5.8 | Limited Preemptive Right | 42 | ||
| Section 5.9 | Splits and Combinations | 42 | ||
| Section 5.10 | Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests | 43 | ||
| Section 5.11 | Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights | 43 | ||
| Section 5.12 | Establishment of Series A Preferred Units. | 45 | ||
| Section 5.13 | Intentionally deleted | 54 | ||
| Section 5.14 | Establishment of Class C Units | 54 | ||
| ARTICLE VI | ||||
| ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | ||||
| Section 6.1 | Allocations for Capital Account Purposes | 56 | ||
| Section 6.2 | Allocations for Tax Purposes | 64 | ||
| Section 6.3 | Requirements and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders | 65 | ||
| Section 6.4 | Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus | 66 | ||
| Section 6.5 | Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus | 67 | ||
| Section 6.6 | Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels | 67 | ||
| Section 6.7 | Intentionally deleted | 67 | ||
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| Section 6.8 | Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of IDR Reset Common Units | 67 | ||
| Section 6.9 | Entity-Level Taxation | 68 | ||
| Section 6.10 | Special Provisions Relating to Preferred Unitholders | 68 | ||
| ARTICLE VII | ||||
| MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS | ||||
| Section 7.1 | Management | 69 | ||
| Section 7.2 | Replacement of Fiduciary Duties | 71 | ||
| Section 7.3 | Certificate of Limited Partnership | 71 | ||
| Section 7.4 | Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority | 71 | ||
| Section 7.5 | Reimbursement of the General Partner | 72 | ||
| Section 7.6 | Outside Activities | 73 | ||
| Section 7.7 | Indemnification | 74 | ||
| Section 7.8 | Liability of Indemnitees | 75 | ||
| Section 7.9 | Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties | 76 | ||
| Section 7.10 | Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Indemnitees | 78 | ||
| Section 7.11 | Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests | 78 | ||
| Section 7.12 | Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates | 78 | ||
| Section 7.13 | Reliance by Third Parties | 81 | ||
| ARTICLE VIII | ||||
| BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS | ||||
| Section 8.1 | Records and Accounting | 81 | ||
| Section 8.2 | Fiscal Year | 81 | ||
| Section 8.3 | Reports | 82 | ||
| ARTICLE IX | ||||
| TAX MATTERS | ||||
| Section 9.1 | Tax Returns and Information | 82 | ||
| Section 9.2 | Tax Elections | 82 | ||
| Section 9.3 | Tax Controversies | 83 | ||
| Section 9.4 | Withholding; Tax Payments | 83 | ||
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| ARTICLE X | ||||
| ADMISSION OF PARTNERS | ||||
| Section 10.1 | Admission of Limited Partners | 84 | ||
| Section 10.2 | Admission of Successor General Partner | 85 | ||
| Section 10.3 | Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership | 85 | ||
| ARTICLE XI | ||||
| WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS | ||||
| Section 11.1 | Withdrawal of the General Partner | 85 | ||
| Section 11.2 | Removal of the General Partner | 87 | ||
| Section 11.3 | Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner | 87 | ||
| Section 11.4 | Intentionally deleted. | 89 | ||
| Section 11.5 | Withdrawal of Limited Partners | 89 | ||
| ARTICLE XII | ||||
| DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION | ||||
| Section 12.1 | Dissolution | 89 | ||
| Section 12.2 | Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution | 90 | ||
| Section 12.3 | Liquidator | 90 | ||
| Section 12.4 | Liquidation | 91 | ||
| Section 12.5 | Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership | 91 | ||
| Section 12.6 | Return of Contributions | 92 | ||
| Section 12.7 | Waiver of Partition | 92 | ||
| Section 12.8 | Capital Account Restoration | 92 | ||
| ARTICLE XIII | ||||
| AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE | ||||
| Section 13.1 | Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner | 92 | ||
| Section 13.2 | Amendment Procedures | 93 | ||
| Section 13.3 | Amendment Requirements | 94 | ||
| Section 13.4 | Special Meetings | 95 | ||
| Section 13.5 | Notice of a Meeting | 95 | ||
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| Section 13.6 | Record Date | 95 | ||
| Section 13.7 | Adjournment | 96 | ||
| Section 13.8 | Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes | 96 | ||
| Section 13.9 | Quorum and Voting | 96 | ||
| Section 13.10 | Conduct of a Meeting | 97 | ||
| Section 13.11 | Action Without a Meeting | 97 | ||
| Section 13.12 | Right to Vote and Related Matters | 98 | ||
| Section 13.13 | Voting of Incentive Distribution Rights | 98 | ||
| ARTICLE XIV | ||||
| MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION | ||||
| Section 14.1 | Authority | 99 | ||
| Section 14.2 | Procedure for Merger or Consolidation | 99 | ||
| Section 14.3 | Approval by Limited Partners | 100 | ||
| Section 14.4 | Certificate of Merger | 101 | ||
| Section 14.5 | Effect of Merger or Consolidation | 101 | ||
| ARTICLE XV | ||||
| RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS | ||||
| Section 15.1 | Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests | 102 | ||
| ARTICLE XVI | ||||
| GENERAL PROVISIONS | ||||
| Section 16.1 | Addresses and Notices; Written Communications | 103 | ||
| Section 16.2 | Further Action | 104 | ||
| Section 16.3 | Binding Effect | 104 | ||
| Section 16.4 | Integration | 104 | ||
| Section 16.5 | Creditors | 104 | ||
| Section 16.6 | Waiver | 104 | ||
| Section 16.7 | Third-Party Beneficiaries | 104 | ||
| Section 16.8 | Counterparts | 105 | ||
| Section 16.9 | Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury | 105 | ||
| Section 16.10 | Invalidity of Provisions | 106 | ||
| Section 16.11 | Consent of Partners | 106 | ||
| Section 16.12 | Facsimile Signatures | 106 | ||
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THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT
OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SUNOCO LP
THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SUNOCO LP (f/k/a Susser Petroleum Partners LP), dated as of September 18, 2025, is entered into by and between Sunoco GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, together with any other Persons who are or become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein.
WHEREAS, the General Partner and the other parties thereto entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Sunoco LP (f/k/a Susser Petroleum Partners LP), dated February 12, 2025 (the “Prior Partnership Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Section 5.6(a) of the Prior Partnership Agreement provides that the Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners;
WHEREAS, Section 5.6(b) of the Prior Partnership Agreement provides that each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may or shall be required to redeem the Partnership Interest (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest;
WHEREAS, Section 5.6(c) of the Prior Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner shall (i) take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with each issuance of Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Prior Partnership Agreement, and (ii) determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Partnership Interests being so issued and do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests pursuant to the terms of the Prior Partnership Agreement;
WHEREAS, the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Prior Partnership Agreement (i) pursuant to Section 13.1(d)(i) of the Prior Partnership Agreement to reflect a change that the General Partner determines does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class or series of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes or series of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, and (ii) pursuant to Section 13.1(g) of the Prior Partnership Agreement to reflect an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Prior Partnership Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Partnership is offering, in an offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S thereof, the Series A Preferred Units, a new class of Partnership Interest described in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the General Partner desires to amend and restate the Prior Partnership Agreement in its entirety to reflect the issuance and terms of the Series A Preferred Units; and
WHEREAS, the General Partner has, pursuant to its authority under Sections 13.1(d)(i) and 13.1(g), made the determinations required thereby and accordingly is adopting this Agreement.
In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
“Additional Book Basis” means the portion of any remaining Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result of Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:
(a) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.
(b) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided, that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (b) to such Book-Down Event).
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“Additional Book Basis Derivative Items” means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the “Excess Additional Book Basis”), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period. With respect to a Disposed of Adjusted Property, the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items shall be the amount of Additional Book Basis taken into account in computing gain or loss from the disposition of such Disposed of Adjusted Property.
“Adjusted Capital Account” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each taxable period of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such taxable period, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent taxable periods under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such taxable period, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent taxable periods in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Partner’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the taxable period in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or 6.1(d)(ii)). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.
“Adjusted Operating Surplus” means, with respect to any period, (a) Operating Surplus generated with respect to such period; less (b)(i) the amount of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to that period; and (ii) the amount of any net decrease in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with respect to such period; and plus (c)(i) the amount of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to that period; (ii) the amount of any net increase in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium; and (iii) the amount of any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures initially established with respect to such period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in Adjusted Operating Surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to clause (b)(ii). Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Operating Surplus.
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“Adjusted Property” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units” is defined in Section 5.11(a).
“Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments” means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.
“Agreed Allocation” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).
“Agreed Value” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution and in the case of an Adjusted Property, the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the revaluation event as described in Section 5.5(d), in both cases as determined by the General Partner.
“Agreement” means this Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Sunoco LP, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Aloha” means Aloha Petroleum, Ltd., a Hawaiian corporation.
“Arrangement Agreement” means that certain Arrangement Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2025, by and among the Partnership, NuStar GP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, 2709716 Alberta Ltd., an Alberta corporation, and Parkland.
“Arrears” means, the full cumulative Series A Distributions through the most recent Series A Distribution Payment Date that have not been paid on all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units.
“Associate” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer, manager, general partner or managing member or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.
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“Available Cash” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:
(a) the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of any additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand immediately prior to the date of distribution of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter (including any Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter), less
(b) the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject, (iii) provide funds for distributions under Sections 6.4 or 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters or (iv) provide funds for Series A Distributions; provided, however, that the disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member), cash received or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of distribution of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, received, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Available Cash” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act, except that, in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning. For purposes of this definition, a person shall be deemed not to Beneficially Own securities that are the subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement, amalgamation agreement, arrangement agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the General Partner.
“Book Basis Derivative Items” means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).
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“Book-Down Event” means an event that triggers a negative adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
“Book-Tax Disparity” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles.
“Book-Up Event” means an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
“Calculation Agent” means the financial institution that will be appointed by the General Partner prior to the Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date preceding the Series A First Reset Date to act as calculation agent for the Series A Preferred Units and its successors and assigns or any other calculation agent appointed by the General Partner. The Partnership and its Affiliates shall not be appointed by the General Partner to act as calculation agent for the Series A Preferred Units.
“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5. The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.
“Capital Contribution” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership on behalf of a Partner (including, in the case of an underwritten offering of Units, the amount of any underwriting discounts or commissions).
“Capital Improvement” means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member, (b) acquisition (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets by any Group Member, or (c) capital contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary, in which a Group Member has, or after such capital contribution will have an equity interest, to fund the Group Member’s pro rata share of the cost of the acquisition of existing or the construction of new or the improvement of existing, capital assets, in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction is made to increase the long-term operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group from the long-term operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), or such Person, in the case of clause (c), from that existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.
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“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests, and (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
“Capital Surplus” means Available Cash distributed by the Partnership in excess of Operating Surplus, as described in Section 6.3(a).
“Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for U.S. federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 5.5(d) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.
“Cause” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner is liable to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.
“Certificate” means a certificate in such form (including in global form if permitted by applicable rules and regulations of the Depository Trust Company and its permitted successors and assigns) as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Partnership Interests.
“Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.3, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Change of Control Trigger Event” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act), other than a Qualified Owner, which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline within 60 days; or
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(b) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Partnership or the removal of the General Partner by Limited Partners; or
(c) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act), other than a Qualified Owner, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting securities of the General Partner or of the Partnership, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline within 60 days.
Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Partnership from a limited partnership to a corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding limited partnership interests for capital stock in a corporation, for member interests in a limited liability company or for equity interests in such other form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control Trigger Event, so long as immediately following such conversion or exchange either (i) the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act) who immediately prior to such transactions Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Partnership immediately after the transactions continue to Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the voting securities of such entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient equity interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity, and, in either case no “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act), excluding any Qualified Owner, Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the voting securities of such entity or (ii) one or more Qualified Owners in the aggregate own more than 50% of the voting securities of such entity.
“Citizenship Eligibility Trigger” is defined in Section 4.8(a)(ii).
“claim” (as used in Section 7.12(c)) is defined in Section 7.12(c).
“Class C Distribution Rate” means an amount per Class C Unit equal to 9.0% per annum (2.25% per quarter), of the Class C Unit Issue Price.
“Class C Quarterly Distribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.14(b)(vi).
“Class C Unit” means a Partnership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class C Units in this Agreement.
“Class C Unit Effective Date” means January 1, 2016.
“Class C Unit Issue Price” means $38.5856.
“Closing Date” means the first date on which Common Units are issued and delivered by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
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“Closing Price” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the primary reporting system then in use in relation to such Limited Partner Interests of such class, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.
“Combined Interest” is defined in Section 11.3(a).
“Commences Commercial Service” means the date a Capital Improvement is first put into or commences commercial service by a Group Member following, if applicable, completion of construction, acquisition, development or testing, as applicable.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Unit” means a Partnership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not refer to or include any Class C Unit or Series A Preferred Unit.
“Conflicts Committee” means a committee of the Board of Directors composed entirely of one or more directors, each of whom (a) is not an officer or employee of the General Partner (b) is not an officer or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner or a director of any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than any Group Member), (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, including any Group Member, other than Common Units and awards that are granted to such director under the LTIP; provided that a director that is a member of the Conflicts Committee may beneficially own equity securities of one or more publicly traded Affiliates of the General Partner (other than Common Units and any awards referenced above) with an aggregate value of up to one percent (1%) of such directors net worth as of the date of determination, and (d) is determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be independent under the independence standards required for directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which any class of Partnership Interests is listed or admitted to trading.
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“Contributed Property” means each property or asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.
“Contribution Agreement” means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2012, among the General Partner, the Partnership, SHC and certain other parties, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended from time to time.
“Curative Allocation” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).
“Current Market Price” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.
“Deferred Issuance and Distribution” means both (a) the issuance by the Partnership of a number of additional Common Units that is equal to the excess, if any, of (x) 1,425,000 over (y) the aggregate number, if any, of Common Units actually purchased by and issued to the Underwriters pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option on the Option Closing Date(s), and (b) distribution(s) of cash contributed by the Underwriters to the Partnership on or in connection with any Option Closing Date with respect to Common Units issued by the Partnership upon the applicable exercise of the Over-Allotment Option as described in Section 5.3(b), if any.
“Delaware Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
“Departing General Partner” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2.
“Depositary” means, with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.
“Derivative Instruments” means options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative instruments relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.
“Designated Individual” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3.
“Disposed of Adjusted Property” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B).
“Economic Risk of Loss” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).
“Eligibility Certificate” is defined in Section 4.8(b).
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“Eligible Holder” means a Limited Partner whose (a) U.S. federal income tax status would not, in the determination of the General Partner, have the material adverse effect described in Section 4.9(a)(i) or Section 4.9(b) nationality, citizenship or other related status would not, in the determination of the General Partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture as described in Section 4.9(a)(ii).
“Equity Credit” means the dollar amount or percentage in relation to the stated liquidation preference amount of $1,000.00 per Series A Preferred Unit assigned to the Series A Preferred Units as equity, rather than debt, by a Rating Agency in evaluating the capital structure of the Partnership.
“Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount” is defined in Section 6.9.
“Event of Withdrawal” is defined in Section 11.1(a).
“Excess Additional Book Basis” is defined in the definition of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items.
“Excess Distribution” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).
“Excess Distribution Unit” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).
“Expansion Capital Expenditures” means cash expenditures for Capital Improvements, and shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that a Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence construction of a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service and the date that such Capital Improvement is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred to fund such construction period interest payments or to fund distributions in respect of equity issued (including incremental Incentive Distributions related thereto) to fund the construction of a Capital Improvement as described in clause (a)(iv) of the definition of Operating Surplus shall also be deemed to be debt incurred to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement. Where capital expenditures are made in part for Expansion Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.
“First Liquidation Target Amount” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(D).
“First Target Distribution” means $0.503125 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and Section 6.8.
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“General Partner” means Sunoco GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership, in their capacities as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).
“General Partner Interest” means the non-economic management interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner and without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it) and includes any and all rights, powers and benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The General Partner Interest does not include any rights to profits or losses or any rights to receive distributions from operations or upon the liquidation or winding-up of the Partnership.
“Gross Liability Value” means, with respect to any Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i), the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Liability in an arm’s-length transaction.
“Group” means two or more Persons that with or through any of their respective Affiliates or Associates have any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of any Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.
“Group Member” means a member of the Partnership Group.
“Group Member Agreement” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Hedge Contract” means any exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar, option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the exposure of the Partnership Group to fluctuations in commodities, financial instruments or other capital activity, in each case, other than for speculative purposes.
“Holder” as used in Section 7.12, is defined in Section 7.12(a).
“IDR Reset Common Unit” is defined in Section 5.11(a).
“IDR Reset Election” is defined in Section 5.11(a).
“Incentive Distribution Right” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights in this Agreement.
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“Incentive Distributions” means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Section 6.4.
“Incremental Income Taxes” is defined in Section 6.9.
“Indemnified Persons” is defined in Section 7.12(c).
“Indemnitee” means (a) any General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member, a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates, (e) the Partnership Representative and the Designated Individual, (f) any Person who is or was serving at the request of a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates as an officer, director, manager, managing member, general partner, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another Person owing a fiduciary or similar duty to any Group Member; provided that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, (g) any Person who controls a General Partner or Departing General Partner and (h) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement because such Person’s service, status or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Group’s business and affairs.
“Ineligible Holder” is defined in Section 4.8(c).
“Initial Common Units” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.
“Initial Limited Partners” means SHC (with respect to the Common Units and Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section 5.2), Stripes LLC (with respect to the Common Units received by it pursuant to Section 5.2) and the Underwriters, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 10.1.
“Initial Offering” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement, including any offer and sale of Common Units pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
“Initial Unit Price” means (a) with respect to the Common Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters first offered the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.
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“Interim Capital Transactions” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement); (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements and (d) Capital Contributions received by a Group Member.
“Investment Capital Expenditures” means capital expenditures other than Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures.
“Liability” means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise.
“Limited Partner” means, unless the context otherwise requires, each Initial Limited Partner, each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.
“Limited Partner Interest” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Class C Units, Incentive Distribution Rights, Series A Preferred Units or other Partnership Interests or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
“Liquidation Date” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.
“Liquidator” means one or more Persons selected pursuant to Section 12.3 to perform the functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.
“LTIP” means the Long-Term Incentive Plan of the General Partner, as may be amended, or any equity compensation plan successor thereto.
“Maintenance Capital Expenditures” means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to or replacement of the capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing, or the construction or development of new, capital assets) if such expenditures are made to maintain the long-term operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group.
“Merger Agreement” is defined in Section 14.1.
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“Minimum Quarterly Distribution” means $0.4375 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.8.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“most recent H.15” means the H.15 published closest in time but prior to the close of business on the applicable Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date.
“National Securities Exchange” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section) and any other securities exchange (whether or not registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) (or successor to such Section) of the Securities Exchange Act) that the General Partner shall designate as a National Securities Exchange for purposes of this Agreement.
“Net Agreed Value” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution.
“Net Income” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5 but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xii).
“Net Loss” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5 but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xii).
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“Net Positive Adjustments” means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.
“Net Termination Gain” means, for any taxable period, the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.5) that are (a) recognized (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group), or (b) deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(d); provided, however, the items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
“Net Termination Loss” means, for any taxable period, the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.5) that are (a) recognized (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group), or (b) deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(d); provided, however, items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
“Nonrecourse Built-in Gain” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.2(b) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.
“Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.
“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).
“Notice of Election to Purchase” is defined in Section 15.1(b).
“Omnibus Agreement” means that certain Omnibus Agreement dated September 25, 2012, among SHC, the General Partner and the Partnership, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“Operating Expenditures” means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including taxes, reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates, payments made in the ordinary course of business under any Hedge Contracts, officer compensation, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, debt service payments and capital expenditures, subject to the following:
(a) repayments of Working Capital Borrowings deducted from Operating Surplus pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of the definition of “Operating Surplus” shall not constitute Operating Expenditures when actually repaid;
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(b) payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures;
(c) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) Investment Capital Expenditures, (iii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (iv) distributions to Partners, or (v) repurchases of Partnership Interests, other than repurchases of Partnership Interests to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans, or reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner for such purchases. Where capital expenditures are made in part for Maintenance Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each; and
(d) (i) payments made in connection with the initial purchase of any Hedge Contract shall be amortized over the life of such Hedge Contract and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over what would have been the remaining scheduled term of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated.
“Operating Surplus” means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,
(a) the sum of (i) $25 million, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and provided that cash receipts from the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over what would have been the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings, and (iv) the amount of cash distributions paid (including incremental Incentive Distributions) in respect of equity issued, other than equity issued in the Initial Offering, to finance all or a portion of the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that the Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement or replacement capital asset Commences Commercial Service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of (equity issued, other than equity issued in the Initial Offering, to fund the construction period interest payments on debt incurred, or construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement shall also be deemed to be equity issued to finance the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement for purposes of this clause (iv)), less
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(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period; (ii) the amount of cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within twelve (12) months after having been incurred and (iv) any cash loss realized on disposition of an Investment Capital Expenditure;
provided, however, that the disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member), cash received or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, received, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Operating Surplus” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero. Cash receipts from an Investment Capital Expenditure shall be treated as cash receipts only to the extent they are a return on principal, but in no event shall a return of principal be treated as cash receipts.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.
“Option Closing Date” means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
“Organizational Limited Partner” means SHC, in its capacity as the historical organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
“Outstanding” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding, none of the Partnership Interests owned by such Person or Group shall be entitled to be voted on any matter or be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Partnership Interests so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b) (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in
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clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply or (iv) to any Series A Holder in connection with any vote, consent or approval of the Series A Holders pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(iii).
“Over-Allotment Option” means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
“Parkland” means Parkland Corporation, an Alberta corporation.
“Parkland Acquisition” means the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Parkland pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement.
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.
“Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
“Partnership” means Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
“Partnership Group” means, collectively, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.
“Partnership Interest” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership, which shall include any General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests, but shall exclude Derivative Instruments.
“Partnership Minimum Gain” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).
“Partnership Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3.
“Paying Agent” means the Transfer Agent, acting in its capacity as paying agent for the Series A Preferred Units and its respective successors and assigns or any other paying agent appointed by the General Partner; provided, however, that if no Paying Agent is specifically designated for the Series A Preferred Units, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
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“Per Unit Capital Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any class of Units held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.
“Percentage Interest” means as of any date of determination (a) as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units held by such Unitholder by (B) the total number of Outstanding Units. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive Distribution Right shall be zero. The Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest and a Series A Preferred Unit shall at all times be zero.
“Permitted Actions” means the following arrangements with, actions taken by, or determinations made by, the General Partner:
(a) The General Partner’s agreement with SHC on the reasonable allocation and other procedures to effect the reimbursement of all direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by SHC or its Affiliates in connection with the provision of services to the Partnership Group under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement; and
(b) the exercise of the Partnership’s Sale and Leaseback Option.
“Person” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
“Potential Affiliate Financial Support” means the provision by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to any member of the Partnership Group of any guaranties or trade credit support to support the ongoing operations of the Partnership Group; provided, that (i) the pricing of any such guaranties or trade credit support is no more than the cost to the Partnership of issuing a comparable letter of credit under its Credit Agreement and (ii) any such guaranties or trade credit support are limited to ordinary course obligations of members of the Partnership Group and do not extend to indebtedness for borrowed money or other obligations that could be characterized as debt.
“Pro Rata” means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when used with respect to Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (c) when used with respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned equally among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder, and (d) solely when modifying Series A Holders, apportioned equally among all Series A Holders in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Series A Preferred Units held by each such Series A Holder.
“Purchase Date” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.
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“Qualified Owner” means any of (i) LE GP, LLC and Energy Transfer LP, (ii) any Person who Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the voting securities of any entity specified in clause (i) above or who Beneficially Owns sufficient equity interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity and (iii) any subsidiary or affiliate of any entity specified in either clause (i) or clause (ii) above.
“Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership in which the Closing Date occurs, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.
“Rate Eligibility Trigger” is defined in Section 4.8(a)(i).
“Rating Agency” means any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act) that publishes a rating for the Partnership.
“Ratings Decline” means a decrease in the rating of the Series A Preferred Units by both Moody’s and S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories); provided that Moody’s and S&P have confirmed that such decrease in the rating of the Series A Preferred Units is a result of the Change of Control Trigger Event. In determining whether the rating of the Series A Preferred Units has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within rating categories, namely + or – for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a rating decrease either from BB+ to BB or BB to BB- will constitute a decrease of one gradation.
“Recapture Income” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.
“Record Date” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.
“Record Holder” means (a) with respect to any class of Partnership Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Person in whose name a Partnership Interest of such class is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the closing of business on a particular Business Day, or (b) with respect to other classes of Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the closing of business on such Business Day.
“Redeemable Interests” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.9(a).
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“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-182276) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.
“Remaining Net Positive Adjustments” means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period and (ii) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.
“Required Allocations” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1 (d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(iv), Section 6.1(d)(v), Section 6.1(d)(vi), Section 6.1(d)(vii) or Section 6.1(d)(ix).
“Reset MQD” is defined in Section 5.11(a).
“Reset Notice” is defined in Section 5.11(b).
“Retail” means Sunoco Retail LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, or any successor entity thereto.
“Retail Available Cash” means any and all cash or cash equivalents on hand derived from or attributable to (i) any distribution or dividend received by the Partnership (directly or indirectly) from Retail or the proceeds of any sale of the membership interests of Retail received by the Partnership (directly or indirectly) or (ii) any interest or principal payments received by the Partnership (directly or indirectly) with respect to indebtedness of Retail or its subsidiaries.
“Retail Items” means the income, gains, losses, deductions and credits which are attributable to the Partnership’s ownership (directly or indirectly) of, or sale or other disposition of, the membership interests of Retail or the Partnership’s ownership (directly or indirectly) of any indebtedness of Retail or any of its subsidiaries, including any such income, gains, losses and deductions included in Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Sale and Leaseback Option” has the meaning set forth in the Omnibus Agreement.
“Second Liquidation Target Amount” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).
“Second Target Distribution” means $0.546875 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.11, Section 6.6 and Section 6.8.
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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.
“Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.
“Series A Base Liquidation Preference” means a liquidation preference for each Series A Preferred Unit initially equal to $1,000.00 per Series A Preferred Unit.
“Series A Current Criteria” means the Equity Credit criteria of a Rating Agency for securities such as the Series A Preferred Units, as such criteria were in effect as of the Series A Original Issue Date.
“Series A Distribution Payment Date” means the 18th day of each March and September of each year (and that the Series A Distribution Payment Date for the initial Series A Distribution Period shall be March 18, 2026); provided, however, that if any Series A Distribution Payment Date would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Series A Distribution Payment Date shall instead be on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
“Series A Distribution Period” means a period of time from and including the preceding Series A Distribution Payment Date (other than the initial Series A Distribution Period, which shall commence on and include the Series A Original Issue Date), to, but excluding, the next Series A Distribution Payment Date for such Series A Distribution Period.
“Series A Distribution Rate” means an initial distribution rate for the Series A Preferred Units from and including the Series A Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the Series A First Reset Date equal to 7.875% per annum of the $1,000.00 liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Unit (equal to $78.75 per Series A Preferred Unit per annum). On and after the Series A First Reset Date, the distribution rate on the Series A Preferred Units for each Series A Reset Period will equal for each Series A Preferred Unit a percentage of the $1,000.00 liquidation preference for such Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate as of the most recent Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date plus a spread of 4.230% per annum; provided that the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate for each Series A Reset Period will not be lower than 1.00%.
“Series A Distribution Record Date” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.12(b)(ii)(B).
“Series A Distributions” means distributions with respect to Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii).
“Series A First Reset Date” means September 18, 2030.
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“Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate” means, as of any Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date, the arithmetic mean of the yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, for five-year maturities, for the five business days immediately preceding such Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date, appearing under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities” in the most recent H.15. If the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be determined pursuant to the method described above, the Calculation Agent, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to the foregoing calculations, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate, will determine the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate in its sole discretion, provided that if the Calculation Agent determines there is an industry-accepted successor Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate, then the Calculation Agent will use such successor rate. If the Calculation Agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion may determine the business day convention and the Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. If the Calculation Agent is unwilling or unable to determine a successor Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, then the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate will be the same rate determined for the prior Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date or, if this sentence is applicable with respect to the first Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date, the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate will be 3.645%.
“Series A Holder” means a Record Holder of Series A Preferred Units.
“Series A Junior Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Interests that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Interests and distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks junior to the Series A Preferred Units, including but not limited to Common Units and Class C Units, but excluding any Series A Parity Securities and Series A Senior Securities.
“Series A Liquidation Preference” means a liquidation preference for each Series A Preferred Unit initially equal to $1,000.00 per Series A Preferred Unit (subject to adjustment for any splits, combinations or similar adjustments to the Series A Preferred Units), which liquidation preference shall be subject to increase by the per Series A Preferred Unit amount of any accumulated and unpaid Series A Distributions (whether or not such distributions shall have been declared).
“Series A Original Issue Date” means September 18, 2025.
“Series A Parity Securities” means any other class or series of Partnership Interests established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series expressly provide that it ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Units as to distributions and amounts payable upon a dissolution or liquidation pursuant to Article XII.
“Series A Preferred Units” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.12(a).
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“Series A Rating Event” means a change by any Rating Agency to the Series A Current Criteria, which change results in (a) any shortening of the length of time for which the Series A Current Criteria are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series A Preferred Units or (b) a lower Equity Credit being given to the Series A Preferred Units than the Equity Credit that would have been assigned to the Series A Preferred Units by such Rating Agency pursuant to its Series A Current Criteria.
“Series A Redemption Date” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.12(b)(v)(A).
“Series A Redemption Notice” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.12(b)(v)(B).
“Series A Redemption Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.12(b)(v)(A).
“Series A Reset Date” means the Series A First Reset Date and each date falling on the fifth anniversary of the preceding Series A Reset Date.
“Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date” means, in respect of any Series A Reset Period, the day falling two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Series A Reset Period.
“Series A Reset Period” means the period from and including the Series A First Reset Date to, but excluding, the next following Series A Reset Date and thereafter each period from and including each Series A Reset Date to, but excluding, the next following Series A Reset Date, until such time as all of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units are redeemed in accordance with Section 5.12(b)(v).
“Series A Senior Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Interests established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series expressly provide that it ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Units as to distributions and amounts payable upon a dissolution or liquidation pursuant to Article XII.
“Series A Special Mandatory Redemption Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(iv).
“Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items” means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time and (ii) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.
“SHC” means Susser Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
“Special Approval” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
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“Special Mandatory Redemption” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(iv).
“Special Mandatory Redemption Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(iv).
“Special Mandatory Redemption Price” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(iv).
“Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(iv).
“Stripes LLC” means Stripes LLC, a Texas limited liability company.
“Subordinated Unit” means a Partnership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in the Prior Partnership Agreement.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership, but only if such Person, directly or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, controls such partnership at the date of determination, or (c) any other Person in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.
“Surviving Business Entity” is defined in Section 14.2(b)(ii).
“Target Distribution” means each of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution.
“Third Target Distribution” means $0.65625 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and Section 6.8.
“Trading Day” means, for the purpose of determining the Current Market Price of any class of Limited Partner Interests, a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.
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“transfer” is defined in Section 4.4(a).
“Transfer Agent” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for any class or series of Partnership Interests; provided, that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
“Underwriter” means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
“Underwriting Agreement” means that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2012, among the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner, SHC and the other parties thereto, providing for the purchase of Common Units by the Underwriters.
“Unit” means a Partnership Interest that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units, Class C Units and Series A Preferred Units but shall not include (i) the General Partner Interest or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.
“Unit Majority” means at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.
“Unitholders” means the holders of Units.
“Unpaid MQD” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(C).
“Unrealized Gain” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).
“Unrealized Loss” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).
“Unrecovered Initial Unit Price” means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision, or combination of such Units.
“Unrestricted Person” means (a) each Indemnitee, (b) each Partner, (c) each Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, employee or agent of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner and (d) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Unrestricted Person” for purposes of this Agreement.
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“U.S. GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.
“Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel” is defined in Section 11.1(b).
“Working Capital Borrowings” means borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to Partners, made pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or other similar financing arrangement; provided that when incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months from sources other than additional Working Capital Borrowings.
Section 1.2 Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” and words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Section 2.1 Formation. The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act. The Prior Agreement is hereby amended and restated by this Agreement, and this Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act.
Section 2.2 Name. The name of the Partnership shall be “Sunoco LP”. The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices. Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 19808, and the registered agent for service of process of the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be Corporation Service Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75225, or such other place
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as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75225, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.4 Purpose and Business. The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner, in its sole discretion, and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may, in its sole discretion, decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business.
Section 2.5 Powers. The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
Section 2.6 Term. The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.
Section 2.7 Title to Partnership Assets. Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership or one or more of the Partnership’s designated Affiliates as soon as reasonably practicable; provided,
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further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.
ARTICLE III
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability. The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
Section 3.2 Management of Business. No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. All actions taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participating in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.
Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.6, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners, each Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner.
Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners.
(a) Each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose that is reasonably related, as determined by the General Partner, to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense, to obtain:
(i) true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership (provided that the requirements of this Section 3.4(a)(i) shall be satisfied if the Limited Partner is furnished the Partnership’s most recent annual report and any subsequent periodic reports required to be filed (or which would be required to be filed) with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act);
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(ii) a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Record Holder; and
(iii) a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed.
(b) The rights to information granted to each of the Limited Partners pursuant to Section 3.4(a) replace in their entirety any rights to information provided for in Section 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act and each of the Partners and each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in Partnership Interests hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have any rights as Partners to receive any information either pursuant to Sections 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act or otherwise except for the information identified in Section 3.4(a).
(c) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Section 17-305 of the Delaware Act, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have rights to receive information from the Partnership or any Indemnitee for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against the Partnership or any Indemnitee relating to the affairs of the Partnership except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to litigation commenced by such Person.
ARTICLE IV
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;
REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 4.1 Certificates. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests, Partnership Interests shall not be evidenced by certificates. Certificates that may be issued shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, President, the Chief Executive Officer or any Senior Vice President or Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. No Certificate for a class of Partnership Interests shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent for such class of Partnership Interests; provided, however,
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that if the General Partner elects to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests of such class in global form, the Certificate shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Partnership Interests have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership.
Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Interests as the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued, if the Record Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent.
If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after such Limited Partner has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.
(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.
Section 4.3 Record Holders. The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice
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thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person shall be (a) the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest and (b) bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Partner hereunder as, and to the extent, provided herein.
Section 4.4 Transfer Generally.
(a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall mean a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, excluding a pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage but including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, null and void.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of any Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in such Partner and the term “transfer” shall not mean any such disposition.
Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
(b) The Partnership shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions hereof, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of
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the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.
(c) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with this Section 4.5 and except as provided in Section 4.8, each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of Section 10.1(a).
(d) Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.3, (iii) Section 4.7, (iv) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment to this Agreement establishing such class or series, (v) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests shall be freely transferable.
(e) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Common Units and Incentive Distribution Rights to one or more Persons.
Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest.
(a) Subject to Section 4.6(b) below, the General Partner may at its option transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without approval from any other Partner.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest held by the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.2, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.
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Section 4.7 Restrictions on Transfers.
(a) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it determines, with the advice of counsel, that such restrictions are necessary or advisable to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) preserve the uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement, other than Section 4.7(a), shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.
(d) Intentionally deleted.
(e) The transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit that was issued in connection with an IDR Reset Election pursuant to Section 5.11 shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.8.
Section 4.8 Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders.
(a) If at any time the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that:
(i) the U.S. federal income tax status (or lack of proof of the U.S. federal income tax status) of one or more Limited Partners or their beneficial owners has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member with respect to assets that are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or similar regulatory body (a “Rate Eligibility Trigger”); or
(ii) any Group Member is subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner (a “Citizenship Eligibility Trigger”);
then, the General Partner may adopt such amendments to this Agreement as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to (x) in the case of a Rate Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of the Limited Partners and, to the extent relevant, their beneficial owners, as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reduce risk of the
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occurrence of a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member or (y) in the case of a Citizenship Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of the Limited Partner and, to the extent relevant, their beneficial owners as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to eliminate or mitigate a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any properties or interests therein of a Group Member.
(b) Such amendments may include provisions requiring all Partners to certify as to their (and their beneficial owners’) status as Eligible Holders upon demand and on a regular basis, as determined by the General Partner, and may require transferees of Units to so certify prior to being admitted to the Partnership as a Partner (any such required certificate, an “Eligibility Certificate”).
(c) Such amendments may provide that any Partner who fails to furnish to the General Partner within a reasonable period requested proof of its (and its beneficial owners’) status as an Eligible Holder or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner (or its beneficial owner) is not an Eligible Holder (an “Ineligible Holder”), the Partnership Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.9. In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted and treated as the owner of all Partnership Interests owned by an Ineligible Holder.
(d) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Partnership Interests held by it on behalf of Ineligible Holders, cast such votes in the same manner and in the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) in respect of Partnership Interests other than those of Ineligible Holders are cast.
(e) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, an Ineligible Holder shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Ineligible Holder’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for purposes hereof as a purchase by the Partnership from the Ineligible Holder of the portion of his Partnership Interest representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind.
(f) At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Holder, an Ineligible Holder may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Partnership Interests of such Ineligible Holder not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.9, such Ineligible Holder be admitted as a Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Ineligible Holder shall be admitted as a Partner and shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the owner in respect of such Ineligible Holder’s Partnership Interests.
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Section 4.9 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders.
(a) If at any time a Partner falsely certifies its status as an Eligible Holder or fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or other information requested within the period of time specified in amendments adopted pursuant to Section 4.8 or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate, the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Partnership may, unless the Partner establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Partner is an Eligible Holder or has transferred his Limited Partner Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Holder and who furnishes an Eligibility Certificate to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Partnership Interest of such Partner as follows:
(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Partner, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon redemption of the Redeemable Interests (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests) and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Partner would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.
(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Partnership Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Partnership Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 8% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.
(iii) The Partner or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment for the Redeemable Interests at the place of payment specified in the notice of redemption on the redemption date (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender by or on behalf of the Partner at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank).
(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.
(b) The provisions of this Section 4.9 shall also be applicable to Partnership Interests held by a Partner as nominee of a Person determined to be an Ineligible Holder.
(c) Nothing in this Section 4.9 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Partnership Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Partnership Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that he is an Eligible Holder. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption will be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.
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ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 5.1 Organizational Contributions. In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General Partner was admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership. The Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $1,000.00 in exchange for a Limited Partner Interest equal to a 100% Percentage Interest and has been admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, and effective with the admission of another Limited Partner to the Partnership, the interests of the Organizational Limited Partner were redeemed as provided in the Contribution Agreement and the initial Capital Contribution of the Organizational Limited Partner was refunded. One-hundred percent of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contribution was allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner.
Section 5.2 Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates. On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, SHC and its subsidiaries contributed to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, the Susser Operating Interests (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) in exchange for 14,436 Common Units, 10,939,436 Subordinated Units, the Incentive Distribution Rights and the right to receive the Deferred Issuance and Distribution.
Section 5.3 Contributions by Initial Limited Partners.
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter contributed cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
(b) Upon the exercise, if any, of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter contributed cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
Section 5.4 Interest and Withdrawal. No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon liquidation of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.
Section 5.5 Capital Accounts.
(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital
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Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest (provided that the Capital Account of a Series A Holder shall not be reduced by any Series A Distributions it receives) and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.
(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:
(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement) of all property owned by (x) any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or other equity holder.
(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.
(iii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.
(iv) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the property’s Carrying Value as of such date.
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(v) Any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property or Adjusted Property shall be determined under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.
(vi) The Gross Liability Value of each Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i) shall be adjusted at such times as provided in this Agreement for an adjustment to Carrying Values. The amount of any such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership).
(c) (i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.5(c), a transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.
(ii) Intentionally deleted.
(iii) Subject to 6.8(b), immediately prior to the transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(iii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its IDR Reset Common Units will (A) first, be allocated to the IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any IDR Reset Common Units. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred IDR Reset Common Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) above.
(d) (i) Consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, or the conversion of the Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, and any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be treated, for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, as if it had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated among the Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated; provided, however, that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed Property, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper
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administration of the Partnership. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt. In making its determination of the fair market values of individual properties, the General Partner may determine that it is appropriate to first determine an aggregate value for the Partnership, based on the current trading price of the Common Units, and taking fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time, and then allocate such aggregate value among the individual properties of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines appropriate).
(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, and any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be treated, for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, as if it had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated among the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual or deemed distribution other than a distribution made pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.
Section 5.6 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests.
(a) The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
(b) Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may or shall be required to redeem the Partnership Interest (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest.
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(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance of Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, (iv) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Interests being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or in connection with the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.
(d) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.
Section 5.7 Intentionally deleted.
Section 5.8 Limited Preemptive Right. Except as provided in this Section 5.8 or as otherwise provided in a separate agreement by the Partnership, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Interests from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Interests to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Interests.
Section 5.9 Splits and Combinations.
(a) Subject to Section 5.9(d), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted retroactive to the beginning of the Partnership.
(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of
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such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Interests to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.
(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Interests as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Interests held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Interests Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.
(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of Section 5.6(d) and this Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).
Section 5.10 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests. All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act.
Section 5.11 Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.11, the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right, at any time when the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(v) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters and the amount of each such distribution did not exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus for such Quarter, to make an election (the “IDR Reset Election”) to cause the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive their respective proportionate share of a number of Common Units (the “IDR Reset Common Units”) derived by dividing (i) the average amount of aggregate cash distributions made by the Partnership for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.11(b)) in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the “Reset MQD”) (the number of Common Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the “Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units”). The making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in Section 5.11(b) shall cause the Target Distributions to be reset in
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accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive Common Units on the basis specified above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders, at the time specified in Section 5.11(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is rescinded pursuant to Section 5.11(d).
(b) To exercise the right specified in Section 5.11(a), the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written notice (the “Reset Notice”) to the Partnership. Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Partnership of such Reset Notice, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the Partnership’s determination of the aggregate number of Common Units that each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive.
(c) The holder(s) of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units on the fifteenth Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice; provided, however, that the issuance of Common Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or admission for trading of such Common Units by the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted for trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange.
(d) If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded has not approved the listing or admission for trading of the Common Units to be issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 on or before the 30th calendar day following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind the IDR Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Interests having such terms as the General Partner may approve, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units would have had at the time of the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion (on terms acceptable to the National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded) of such Partnership Interests into Common Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights).
(e) The Target Distributions shall be adjusted at the time of the issuance of Common Units or other Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.11 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall be reset to be equal to the Reset MQD, (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 125% of the Reset MQD and (iv) the Third Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 150% of the Reset MQD.
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(f) Upon the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11(a) (or other Partnership Interests as described in Section 5.11(d)), the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights shall (A) first, be allocated to IDR Reset Common Units (or other Partnership Interests) in an amount equal to the product of (x) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units (or other Partnership Interests) and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights. If there is not a sufficient Capital Account associated with the Incentive Distribution Rights to allocate the full Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit to the IDR Reset Common Units in accordance with clause (A) of this Section 5.11(f), the IDR Reset Common Units shall be subject to Section 6.1(d)(x)(B) and (C).
Section 5.12 Establishment of Series A Preferred Units.
(a) General. The Partnership hereby designates and creates a class of Partnership Interests to be designated as “7.875% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units” (the “Series A Preferred Units”), having the preferences, rights, powers, and duties set forth herein, including this Section 5.12. Each Series A Preferred Unit shall be identical in all respects to every other Series A Preferred Unit, except as to the respective dates from which the Series A Liquidation Preference shall increase or from which Series A Distributions may begin accruing, to the extent such dates may differ. The Series A Preferred Units represent perpetual equity interests in the Partnership and shall not give rise to a claim by the Partnership or a Series A Holder for conversion or, except as set forth in Section 5.12(b)(iv) and Section 5.12(b)(v), redemption thereof at a particular date.
(b) Rights of Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units shall have the following rights, preferences and privileges and shall be subject to the following duties and obligations:
(i) Series A Preferred Units.
(A) The authorized number of Series A Preferred Units shall be unlimited.
(B) The Series A Preferred Units shall be represented by one or more global Certificates registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, and no Series A Holder shall be entitled to receive a definitive Certificate evidencing its Series A Preferred Units, unless (1) requested by a Series A Holder and consented to by the General Partner in its sole discretion, (2) otherwise required by law or (3) the Depositary gives notice of its intention to resign or is no longer eligible to act as such with respect to the Series A Preferred Units and the General Partner shall have not selected a substitute Depositary within 60 calendar days thereafter. So long as the Depositary shall have been appointed and is serving with respect to the Series A Preferred Units, payments and communications made by the Partnership to Series A Holders shall be made by making payments to, and communicating with, the Depositary.
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(ii) Distributions.
(A) Distributions on each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit shall be cumulative and shall accumulate at the applicable Series A Distribution Rate from and including the Series A Original Issue Date (or, for any subsequently issued and newly Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, from and including the Series A Distribution Payment Date immediately preceding the issue date of such Series A Preferred Units) until such time as the Partnership pays the Series A Distributions or redeems such Series A Preferred Unit in accordance with Section 5.12(b)(iv) or Section 5.12(b)(v), whether or not such Series A Distributions shall have been declared. Series A Holders shall be entitled to receive Series A Distributions from time to time out of any assets of the Partnership legally available for the payment of distributions at the Series A Distribution Rate per Series A Preferred Unit when, as, and, if declared by the General Partner. Series A Distributions, to the extent declared by the General Partner to be paid by the Partnership in accordance with this Section 5.12(b)(ii), shall be paid, in arrears, on each Series A Distribution Payment Date (and the initial Series A Distribution shall be paid on March 18, 2026). Series A Distributions shall accumulate in each Series A Distribution Period from and including the preceding Series A Distribution Payment Date (other than the initial Series A Distribution Period, which shall commence on and include the Series A Original Issue Date), to, but excluding, the next Series A Distribution Payment Date for such Series A Distribution Period; provided that distributions shall accrue on accumulated but unpaid Series A Distributions at the Series A Distribution Rate. If any Series A Distribution Payment Date otherwise would occur on a date that is not a Business Day, declared Series A Distributions shall be paid on the immediately succeeding Business Day without the accumulation of additional distributions. All Series A Distributions that are (1) accumulated and unpaid or (2) payable by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 5.12(b)(ii) shall be payable without regard to income of the Partnership and shall be treated for federal income tax purposes as guaranteed payments for the use of capital under Section 707(c) of the Code. The guaranteed payment with respect to any Series A Distribution Period shall be for the account of the holders of Series A Preferred Units as of the applicable Series A Distribution Record Date.
(B) Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Series A Distribution Payment Date, the Partnership shall pay those Series A Distributions, if any, that shall have been declared by the General Partner to Series A Holders on the Record Date for the applicable Series A Distribution. The Record Date (the “Series A Distribution Record Date”) for the payment of any Series A Distributions shall be as of the close of business on the first Business Day of the month of the applicable Series A Distribution Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of Series A Distributions in Arrears, the Series A Distribution Record Date with respect to a Series A Distribution Payment Date shall be such date as may be designated by the General Partner in accordance with this Section 5.12. So long as any Series A Preferred Units are Outstanding, no distribution shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment on any Series A Junior Securities (other than a distribution payable solely in Series A Junior Securities) unless full cumulative Series A Distributions have been or contemporaneously are being paid or set apart for payment on all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units (and distributions on any other Series A Parity Securities) through the most recent Series A Distribution Payment Date (and distribution payment date with respect to such Series A Parity Securities, if any); provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.12(b)(ii)(B), if a distribution period with respect to a class of Series A Junior Securities or Series A Parity Securities is shorter
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than the Series A Distribution Period, the General Partner may declare and pay regular distributions with respect to such Series A Junior Securities or Series A Parity Securities, so long as, at the time of declaration of such distribution, (i) there are no Series A Distributions in Arrears, and (ii) the General Partner expects to have sufficient funds to pay the full distribution in respect of the Series A Preferred Units on the next Series A Distribution Payment Date. Accumulated Series A Distributions in Arrears for any past Series A Distribution Period may be declared by the General Partner and paid on any date fixed by the General Partner, whether or not a Series A Distribution Payment Date, to Series A Holders on the Record Date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 calendar days before such payment date. Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated Series A Distributions in Arrears on all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units and all accumulated distributions in arrears on any Series A Parity Securities shall not have been declared and paid, or if sufficient funds for the payment thereof shall not have been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in Arrears on the Series A Preferred Units and accumulated distributions in arrears on any such Series A Parity Securities shall be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest distribution payment date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series A Preferred Units and any other Series A Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment shall be made Pro Rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Units and any such other Series A Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate distribution amounts remaining due in respect of such Series A Preferred Units and such other Series A Parity Securities at such time. Subject to Section 12.4 and Section 5.12(b)(vi), Series A Holders shall not be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or Partnership Interests, in excess of full cumulative Series A Distributions. Except insofar as distributions accrue on the amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions, no interest or sum of money in lieu of interest shall be payable in respect of any distribution payment which may be in Arrears on the Series A Preferred Units. So long as the Series A Preferred Units are held of record by the Depositary or its nominee, declared Series A Distributions shall be paid to the Depositary in same-day funds on each Series A Distribution Payment Date or other distribution payment date in the case of payments for Series A Distributions in Arrears.
(C) The Series A Distribution Rate for each Series A Reset Period will be determined by the Calculation Agent for the Series A Preferred Units using the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate, as of the applicable Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date for such Series A Reset Period. The Calculation Agent for the Series A Preferred Units then will add the spread of 4.230% per annum to the Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate as determined by the Calculation Agent as of the applicable Series A Reset Distribution Determination Date for such Series A Reset Period. Promptly following such determination by the Calculation Agent for the Series A Preferred Units, the Calculation Agent shall notify the Partnership of the Series A Distribution Rate for such Series A Reset Period. Such Calculation Agent’s determination of any Series A Distribution Rate for each Series A Reset Period and its calculation of the amount of Series A Distributions for any Series A Reset Period will be (i) available on file at the principal offices of the Partnership beginning on or after the Series A First Reset Date, (ii) made available to any Series A Holder upon request and (iii) final and binding on each Series A Holder in the absence of manifest error.
(D) The Partnership will provide notice of the relevant Series A Five-Year U.S. Treasury Rate as soon as practicable to the Transfer Agent and the Series A Holders.
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(E) Unless otherwise determined by the General Partner, Series A Distributions shall be deemed to have been paid out of deductions from Available Cash with respect to the Quarter ended immediately preceding the Quarter in which the Series A Distribution is made.
(iii) Voting Rights.
(A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Series A Preferred Units shall not have any voting rights or rights to consent or approve any action or matter, except as set forth in Section 13.3(c), this Section 5.12(b)(iii) or as otherwise required by the Delaware Act.
(B) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, the General Partner shall not adopt any amendment to this Agreement that the General Partner determines would have a material adverse effect on the powers, preferences, duties, or special rights of the Series A Preferred Units; provided, however, that (i) subject to Section 5.12(b)(iii)(C), the issuance of additional Partnership Interests (and any amendment to this Agreement in connection therewith) shall not be deemed to have such a material adverse effect for purposes of this Section 5.12(b)(iii)(B) and (ii) for purposes of this Section 5.12(b)(iii)(B), no amendment of this Agreement in connection with a merger or other transaction in which the Partnership is the surviving entity and the Series A Preferred Units remain Outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged in any respect adverse to the Series A Holders (as determined by the General Partner) shall be deemed to have such a material adverse effect.
(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a class together with holders of any other Series A Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the Partnership shall not (x) create or issue any Series A Parity Securities (including any additional Series A Preferred Units) if the distributions payable on Outstanding Series A Preferred Units (or any Series A Parity Securities, if the holders of such Series A Parity Securities vote as a class together with the Series A Holders pursuant to this Section 5.12(b)(iii)(C)) are in Arrears or (y) create or issue any Series A Senior Securities.
(D) For any matter described in this Section 5.12(b)(iii) in which the Series A Holders are entitled to vote as a class (whether separately or together with the holders of any Series A Parity Securities), such Series A Holders shall be entitled to one vote per Series A Preferred Unit. Any Series A Preferred Units held by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or their controlled Affiliates shall not be entitled to vote.
(E) Notwithstanding Section 5.12(b)(iii)(B) and Section 5.12(b)(iii)(C), no vote of the Series A Holders shall be required if, at or prior to the time when such action is to take effect, provision is made for the redemption of all Series A Preferred Units at the time Outstanding.
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(iv) Special Mandatory Redemption.
(A) If (x) the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition does not occur on or before May 5, 2026 (the “Series A Special Mandatory Redemption Date”) or (y) prior thereto, the Partnership notifies the Paying Agent in writing that the Arrangement Agreement has been terminated or the Partnership will not pursue the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition or has determined in its sole discretion that the Parkland Acquisition cannot or is not reasonably likely to be completed by the Series A Special Mandatory Redemption Date (the earlier of the date of delivery of such notice described in clause (y) and the Series A Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger Date”), the Partnership will be required to redeem all Series A Preferred Units then outstanding (such redemption, the “Special Mandatory Redemption”), out of amounts legally available therefor, at a redemption price of $1,000 per Series A Preferred Unit plus, in each case, an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, whether or not declared (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”). For purposes of the foregoing, consummation of the Parkland Acquisition refers to the occurrence of the “Effective Time,” as defined in the Arrangement Agreement, as such Arrangement Agreement may be amended, modified or waived from time to time.
(B) In the event that the Partnership becomes obligated to redeem the Series A Preferred Units pursuant to the Special Mandatory Redemption, the Partnership will promptly, and in any event not more than ten business days after the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger Date, deliver notice to the Paying Agent of the Special Mandatory Redemption and the date upon which the Series A Preferred Units will be redeemed (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date,” which date shall be no earlier than the third business day or later than the twentieth business day following the date of such notice) together with a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption and written instructions to the Paying Agent instructing the Paying Agent to deliver such notice to each registered holder of Series A Preferred Units. The Paying Agent will then promptly mail, or deliver electronically if such Series A Preferred Units are held by the Depositary in accordance with the Depositary’s customary procedures, such notice of Special Mandatory Redemption to each registered holder of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed at its registered address. Unless the Partnership defaults in payment of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, holders of Series A Preferred Units will cease to have rights to distributions on the Series A Preferred Units.
(v) Optional Redemption; Series A Rating Event.
(A) The Partnership shall have the right (i) at any time on or after the Series A First Reset Date, (ii) at any time within 120 calendar days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by the Partnership following the occurrence of a Series A Rating Event or (iii) at any time within 120 days after the occurrence of a Change of Control Trigger Event, in each case, to redeem the Series A Preferred Units, which redemption may be in whole or in part, on one or more occasions (except with respect to a redemption pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5.12(b)(v)(A), which shall be in whole but not in part), using any source of funds legally available for such purpose. Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the General Partner (the “Series A Redemption Date”). The Partnership shall effect any such
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redemption by paying cash for each Series A Preferred Unit to be redeemed equal to (x) 100% (in the case of a redemption described in clause (i) of this Section 5.12(b)(v)(A)), (y) 102% (in the case of a redemption described in clause (ii) of this Section 5.12(b)(v)(A)) or (z) (1) 103% for a Change of Control Trigger Event that occurs before September 18, 2026, (2) 102% for a Change of Control Trigger Event that occurs on or after September 18, 2026 and before September 18, 2027, or (3) 101% for a Change of Control Trigger Event that occurs on or after September 18, 2027 and before September 18, 2030 (in each case, in the case of a redemption described in clause (iii) of this Section 5.12(b)(v)(A)), of the Series A Liquidation Preference for such Series A Preferred Unit on such Series A Redemption Date plus, in each case, an amount equal to all unpaid Series A Distributions thereon from the Series A Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the Series A Redemption Date (whether or not such distributions shall have been declared) (the “Series A Redemption Price”). So long as the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed are held of record by the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary, the Series A Redemption Price shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the Depositary on the Series A Redemption Date. If the Partnership does not exercise its right to redeem all outstanding Series A Preferred Units within 120 days following a Change of Control Trigger Event, then the then-applicable Series A Distribution Rate shall be increased by 5.00%.
(B) The Partnership shall give notice of any redemption by mail, postage prepaid, not less than 10 calendar days and not more than 60 calendar days before the scheduled Series A Redemption Date to the Series A Holders (as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day next preceding the day on which notice is given) of any Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed as such Series A Holders’ names appear on the books of the Transfer Agent and at the address of such Series A Holders shown therein. Such notice (the “Series A Redemption Notice”) shall state, as applicable: (1) the Series A Redemption Date, (2) the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed and, if less than all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number (and in the case of Series A Preferred Units in certificated form, the identification) of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed from such Series A Holder, (3) the Series A Redemption Price, (4) the place where any Series A Preferred Units in certificated form are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the Series A Redemption Price therefor (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units is issued in the name of the Depositary or its nominee), and (5) that distributions on the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate from and after such Series A Redemption Date.
(C) If the Partnership elects to redeem less than all of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed shall be determined by the General Partner, and such Series A Preferred Units shall be redeemed by such method of selection as the Depositary shall determine, either Pro Rata or by lot, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional Series A Preferred Units. The aggregate Series A Redemption Price for any such partial redemption of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units shall be allocated correspondingly among the redeemed Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units not redeemed shall remain Outstanding and entitled to all the rights, preferences and duties provided in this Section 5.12.
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(D) If the Partnership gives or causes to be given a Series A Redemption Notice, the Partnership shall deposit with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the Series A Preferred Units as to which such Series A Redemption Notice shall have been given, no later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the applicable Series A Redemption Date, and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Series A Redemption Price to each Series A Holder whose Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed upon surrender or deemed surrender (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units is issued in the name of the Depositary or its nominee) of the Certificates therefor as set forth in the Series A Redemption Notice. If a Series A Redemption Notice shall have been given, from and after the Series A Redemption Date, unless the Partnership defaults in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the Series A Redemption Notice, all Series A Distributions on such Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of such Series A Preferred Units as Limited Partners with respect to such Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease, except the right to receive the Series A Redemption Price, and such Series A Preferred Units shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Transfer Agent or be deemed to be Outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. The Series A Holders shall have no claim to the interest income, if any, earned on funds deposited with the Paying Agent. Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent hereunder by the Partnership for any reason, including redemption of Series A Preferred Units, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after one year after the applicable Series A Redemption Date or other payment date, as applicable, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to the Partnership upon its written request, after which repayment the Series A Holders entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to the Partnership. Notwithstanding any Series A Redemption Notice, there shall be no redemption of any Series A Preferred Units called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full Series A Redemption Price of such Series A Preferred Units shall have been deposited by the Partnership with the Paying Agent.
(E) Any Series A Preferred Units that are redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be cancelled. If only a portion of the Series A Preferred Units represented by a Certificate shall have been called for redemption, upon surrender of the Certificate to the Paying Agent (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units is registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee), the Partnership shall issue and the Paying Agent shall deliver to the Series A Holders a new Certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of Series A Preferred Units represented by the surrendered Certificate that have not been called for redemption.
(F) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.12, in the event that full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities shall not have been paid or declared and set aside for payment, the Partnership shall not be permitted to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series A Preferred Units or Series A Parity Securities except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same relative terms to all Series A Holders and holders of any Series A Parity Securities. Subject to Section 4.9, so long as any Series A Preferred Units are Outstanding, the Partnership shall not be permitted to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Common Units or any other Series A Junior Securities unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities for all prior and the then-ending Series A Distribution Periods, with respect to the Series A Preferred Units, and all prior and then ending distribution periods, with respect to any such Series A Parity Securities, shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment.
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(vi) Liquidation Rights. In the event of the dissolution and winding up of the Partnership under Section 12.4 or a sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, either voluntary or involuntary, the Record Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Partnership available for distribution to the Partners or any transferees of such Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 4.5 hereof, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Partnership to the Record Holders of any other class or series of Partnership Interests (other than Series A Senior Securities or Series A Parity Securities), (i) first, any accumulated and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units (regardless of whether previously declared) and (ii) then, any positive value in each such holder’s Capital Account in respect of such Series A Preferred Units. If in the year of such dissolution and winding up, or sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, any such Record Holder’s Capital Account in respect of such Series A Preferred Units is less than the aggregate Series A Base Liquidation Preference of such Series A Preferred Units, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, and prior to any other allocation pursuant to this Agreement for such year and any distribution pursuant to the preceding sentence (other than any allocations or distributions made with respect to any other Series A Parity Securities upon which like allocation and distribution rights have been conferred), items of gross income and gain shall be allocated to all Unitholders then holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit is equal to the Series A Base Liquidation Preference (and no other allocation pursuant to this Agreement shall reverse the effect of such allocation); provided, however, that in the event that like allocation rights have been conferred upon other Series A Parity Securities, then items of gross income and gain shall be allocated to all Unitholders then holding Series A Preferred Units and such Series A Parity Securities, in proportion to the deficit in each such Series A Preferred Unit or such Series A Parity Securities’ Capital Account below the applicable liquidation preference, until the Capital Account in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit and such Series A Parity Security is equal to the applicable liquidation preference (and no other allocation pursuant to this Agreement shall reverse the effect of such allocation). If in the year of such dissolution and winding up any such Record Holder’s Capital Account in respect of such Series A Preferred Units is less than the aggregate Series A Base Liquidation Preference of such Series A Preferred Units after the application of the preceding sentence, then to the extent permitted by applicable law, but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, items of gross income and gain for any preceding taxable year(s) with respect to which IRS Form 1065 Schedules K-1 have not been filed by the Partnership shall be reallocated to all Unitholders then holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each such Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit after making allocations pursuant to this and the immediately preceding sentence is equal to the Series A Base Liquidation Preference (and no other allocation pursuant to this Agreement shall reverse the effect of such allocation); provided, however, that in the event like allocation rights have been conferred upon other Series A Parity Securities, then any such items of gross income and gain shall be reallocated to all Unitholders then holding Series A Preferred Units and such Series A Parity Securities, in proportion to the deficit in each such Series A Preferred Unit or such Series A Parity Securities’ Capital Account below the applicable liquidation preference, until the Capital Account in respect of each
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Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit and such Series A Parity Security after making allocations pursuant to this and the immediately preceding sentence is equal to the applicable liquidation preference (and no other allocation pursuant to this Agreement shall reverse the effect of such allocation). After such allocations have been made to the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities, as applicable, any remaining Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss shall be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(c) or Section 6.1(d), as the case may be. At the time of the dissolution of the Partnership, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act, the Record Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall become entitled to receive any distributions in respect of the Series A Preferred Units that are accrued and unpaid as of the date of such distribution, and shall have the status of, and shall be entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the Partnership, and such entitlement of the Record Holders of the Series A Preferred Units to such accrued and unpaid distributions shall have priority over any entitlement of any other Partners or transferees of such Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 4.5 hereof (other than holders of any Series A Senior Securities or Series A Parity Securities) with respect to any distributions by the Partnership to such other Partners or transferees of such Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 4.5 hereof; provided, however, that the General Partner, as such, will have no liability for any obligations with respect to such distributions to any Record Holder(s) of Series A Preferred Units.
(vii) Rank. The Series A Preferred Units shall each be deemed to rank as to distributions on such Partnership Interests and distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership:
(A) senior to any Series A Junior Securities;
(B) on a parity with any Series A Parity Securities;
(C) junior to any Series A Senior Securities; and
(D) junior to all existing and future indebtedness of the Partnership and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against the Partnership.
(viii) No Sinking Fund. The Series A Preferred Units shall not have the benefit of any sinking fund.
(ix) Record Holders. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Transfer Agent, and the Paying Agent may deem and treat any Series A Holder as the true, lawful, and absolute owner of the applicable Series A Preferred Units for all purposes, and none of the General Partner, the Partnership, the Transfer Agent or the Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Series A Preferred Units may be listed or admitted to trading, if any.
(x) Notices. All notices or other communications in respect of Series A Holders shall be sufficiently given (i) if given in writing and either delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or (ii) if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Section 5.12, this Agreement or by applicable law.
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(xi) Other Rights; Fiduciary Duties. The Series A Preferred Units and the Series A Holders shall not have any designations, preferences, rights, powers or duties, other than as set forth in this Agreement or as provided by applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall owe any duties, including fiduciary duties, or have any liabilities to Series A Holders, other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Section 5.13 Intentionally deleted.
Section 5.14 Establishment of Class C Units.
(a) General. The General Partner previously designated and created a series of Units designated as “Class C Units” that initially consisted of a total of 16,410,780 Class C Units. In accordance with Section 5.6, the General Partner shall have the power and authority to issue additional Class C Units from time to time following the Class C Unit Effective Date.
(b) Rights of Class C Units. The Class C Units shall have the following rights, preferences and privileges and shall be subject to the following duties and obligations (and such rights, preferences, privileges and duties shall continue, and the Class C Units shall continue to be deemed Outstanding to the extent of such rights, preferences, privileges and duties, if and when such Class C Units are held by any Group Member, notwithstanding Section 17-702(d) of the Delaware Act or any provision in Section 7.11 to the contrary):
(i) Initial Capital Account. The initial Capital Account with respect to each Class C Unit will be equal the Class C Unit Issue Price.
(ii) Voting Rights. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, the holders of Class C Units shall not have any voting, consent or approval rights with respect to such Class C Units, except as otherwise required by any non-waivable provision of law. With respect to any matter on which the holders of Class C Units are entitled to vote, each Class C Unit will be entitled to one vote on such matter and shall vote together with the Common Units as a single class.
(iii) Redemption and Conversion Rights. The Class C Units shall be perpetual and shall not have any rights of redemption or conversion.
(iv) Registrar and Transfer Agent. Unless and until the General Partner determines to assign the responsibility to another Person, the General Partner shall act as the Transfer Agent for the Class C Units.
(v) Allocations.
(A) The holders of Class C Units shall not be entitled to receive (i) any allocations of Retail Items, and (ii) except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.14(b)(v), allocations of (1) Net Income pursuant to Section 6.1(a), (2) Net Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(b), or (3) Net Termination Gains and Net Termination Losses pursuant to Section 6.1(c).
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(B) Items of Partnership depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions for the taxable period shall be allocated to the holders of Class C Units to the extent such items would be allocated to the holders of Class C Units if each Class C Unit were treated as a Common Unit.
(C) For each taxable period, after the application of Section 6.1(c)(i)(B), but before the application of Section 6.1(c)(i)(C), Net Termination Gain (other than from Retail Items) shall be allocated to the holders of the Class C Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account of each Class C Unit is equal to the Class C Unit Issue Price.
(D) For each taxable period, after the application of Section 6.1(c)(i)(C), but before the application of Section 6.1(c)(i)(D), the holders of the Class C Units shall be allocated, Pro Rata, 1% of the remaining aggregate Net Termination Gain (other than from Retail Items), if any, that is to be allocated pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(i)(D)-(G); provided, however, that an allocation shall only be made to the holders of Class C Units pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(v)(D) if the Capital Account of each Common Unit is equal to or greater than the Class C Unit Issue Price immediately prior to making such allocation.
(E) For each taxable period, after the application of Section 6.1(c)(ii)(B), but before the application of Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D), the holders of the Class C Units shall be allocated Net Termination Loss (other than from Retail Items) until the Capital Account in respect of each Class C Unit has been reduced to zero.
(F) For the purposes of effectuating the intent of the foregoing allocation provisions, the General Partner shall have the sole discretion to make special allocations of items of Partnership gross income, gain, loss or deductions among the Unitholders as it deems reasonable.
(G) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Retail (or a successor entity thereto that is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is an asset of the Partnership in the year in which the Partnership is liquidated and the aggregate balance of the Capital Accounts of the Unitholders (other than the holders of the Class C Units) after the allocations under Section 6.1(c) would be less than the Carrying Value of Retail, then Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, as the case may be, or if necessary items thereof, shall be allocated among the Unitholders to the extent necessary to cause the aggregate balance of the Capital Accounts of the Unitholders (other than the holders of the Class C Units) to equal the Carrying Value of Retail (or a successor as set forth above) after all allocations have been made.
(vi) Distributions. Commencing with the Class C Unit Effective Date, the holders of the Class C Units as of an applicable Record Date shall be entitled to receive distributions (each, a “Class C Quarterly Distribution”) of the Partnership’s Available Cash other than Retail Available Cash, prior to any other distributions made in respect of any other Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 6.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.5, in cash in an amount equal to the Class C Distribution Rate on all Outstanding Class C Units. Distributions shall be paid Quarterly within sixty (60) days following the end of each Quarter, commencing with the Quarter ending December 31, 2015. Each Record Date established for a Class C Quarterly
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Distribution in respect of any Quarter shall be the same Record Date established for any distribution to be made by the Partnership in respect of other Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 6.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 for such Quarter. Each Class C Quarterly Distribution (or, if applicable, portion thereof) for any Quarter that is payable in cash shall be paid in cash unless either the Partnership’s Available Cash other than Retail Available Cash is insufficient to pay the Class C Quarterly Distribution or such payment is prohibited by the terms of the Partnership’s material financing agreements, in which case (A) the amount of such accrued and unpaid distributions will accumulate until paid in full in cash, and (B) the balance of such accrued and unpaid distributions shall increase at a rate of 1.5% per annum, compounded quarterly, from the date such distribution was due until the date it is paid. In no event will a holder of Class C Units be entitled to receive any distributions of Retail Available Cash. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.14(b)(vi), Aloha, as a holder of Class C Units, shall not receive distributions pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(vi) with respect to the Quarter ending December 31, 2015. For the avoidance of doubt, holders of Class C Units (other than Aloha) shall be entitled to receive distributions pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(vi) with respect to the Quarter ending December 31, 2015.
(vii) Certificates. The Class C Units shall be evidenced by certificates in such form as the General Partner may approve and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable legal, regulatory and contractual requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical to the assignment and transfer of other Common Units.
ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. Except as otherwise required pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(v), for purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners as provided herein below.
(a) Net Income. Net Income for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period) shall be allocated:
(i) First, to all Series A Holders in proportion to, and to the extent of the Net Loss allocated to such Series A Holders pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable years, until the aggregate amount of Net Income allocated to such Series A Holders pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate amount of Net Loss allocated to such Series A Holders pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable years; provided that in no event shall Net Income be allocated to any such Series A Holder to cause its Capital Account in respect of a Series A Preferred Unit to exceed the Series A Base Liquidation Preference in respect of such Series A Preferred Units;
(ii) Second, to the Unitholders holding Common Units to which Net Loss has been allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(i), in proportion to the allocations of Net Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(i) until the aggregate Net Income allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) is equal to the aggregate Net Loss previously allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(b); and
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(iii) Thereafter, to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata.
(b) Net Loss. Net Loss for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period) shall be allocated:
(i) First, to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata; provided, that Net Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account) and such Net Loss shall instead be allocated to the Unitholders with positive Adjusted Capital Account balances in proportion to such positive balances; and
(ii) Second, to all Series A Holders in proportion to their respective positive Adjusted Capital Account balances, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Series A Preferred Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero.
(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses. Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss for each taxable period shall be allocated in the manner set forth in this Section 6.1(c). All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of cash and cash equivalents provided under Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 have been made; provided, however, that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.
(i) Net Termination Gain (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain) shall be allocated:
(A) First, to the Unitholders allocated Net Termination Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D), in proportion to the allocations of Net Termination Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D), until the aggregate Net Termination Gain allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i)(A) is equal to the aggregate Net Termination Loss previously allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D);
(B) Second, to all Series A Holders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit equals the Series A Base Liquidation Preference;
(C) Third, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “Unpaid MQD”);
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(D) Fourth, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Unpaid MQD and (3) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of cash or cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(ii) (the sum of (1), (2) and (3) is hereinafter referred to as the “First Liquidation Target Amount”);
(E) Fifth, 15.0% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 85.0% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of cash or cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(iii) (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “Second Liquidation Target Amount”);
(F) Sixth, 25.0% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 75% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of cash or cash equivalents that are deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(iv); and
(G) Seventh, 50.0% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 50.0% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata.
(ii) Net Termination Loss shall be allocated:
(A) Intentionally deleted;
(B) First, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;
(C) Second, to all Series A Holders, Pro Rata, in proportion to their Adjusted Capital Account balances, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Series A Preferred Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and
(D) Third, to the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided, however, that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account) and such Net Termination Loss shall instead be allocated to the Unitholders with positive Adjusted Capital Account balances in proportion to such positive balances.
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(d) Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for each taxable period.
(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(iii) Priority Allocations.
(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed with respect to a Unit, other than a Class C Unit, for a taxable period exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Unit, other than a Class C Unit, within the same taxable period (the amount of the excess, an “Excess Distribution” and the Units with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an “Excess Distribution Unit”), then there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution.
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(B) After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable period.
(C) After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B), all or any portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain (other than Retail Items) for the taxable period shall be allocated (1) first, to the holders of the Class C Units (other than Aloha), Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Class C Units (other than Aloha) pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(C)(1) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all cash distributions made to the holders of the Class C Units (other than Aloha) pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi) with respect to the Quarter ending December 31, 2015, and (2) then, to the holders of the Class C Units, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Class C Units pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(C)(2) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all cash distributions made to the holders of the Class C Units pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi) from the Class C Unit Effective Date to a date that is 60 days after the end of the current taxable year, other than distributions made to the holders of Class C Units (other than Aloha) pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi) with respect the Quarter ending December 31, 2015.
(iv) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(iv) were not in this Agreement.
(v) Gross Income Allocation. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if Section 6.1(d)(iv) and this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.
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(vi) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.
(vii) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, the Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.
(viii) Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Partner in complete liquidation of such Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) taken into account pursuant to Section 5.5, and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.
(x) Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law.
(A) Intentionally deleted.
(B) With respect to an event triggering an adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.5(d) during any taxable period of the Partnership ending upon, or after, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, any Unrealized Gains and Unrealized Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner that to the nearest extent possible results in the Capital Accounts maintained with respect to such IDR Reset Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 equaling the product of (1) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (2) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.
(C) With respect to any taxable period during which an IDR Reset Common Unit is transferred to any Person who is not an Affiliate of the transferor, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the transferor Partner of such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit until such transferor Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit to an amount equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.
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(D) Intentionally deleted.
(E) For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (1) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (2) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss; and (3) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.1(d)(x)(E) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or the Partnership.
(xi) Curative Allocation.
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. In exercising its discretion under this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A), the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners.
(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.
(xii) Corrective and Other Allocations. In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:
(A) Except as provided in Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B), in the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof), the General Partner shall allocate such
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Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to (1) the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights to the same extent that the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss giving rise to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items was allocated to them pursuant to Section 5.5(d) and (2) all Unitholders, Pro Rata, to the extent that the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss giving rise to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items was allocated to any Unitholders pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
(B) In the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof or an allocation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof) as a result of a sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset that is an Adjusted Property (“Disposed of Adjusted Property”), the General Partner shall allocate (1) additional items of gross income and gain (x) away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and (y) to the Unitholders, or (2) additional items of deduction and loss (x) away from the Unitholders and (y) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items allocated to the Unitholders exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to such Disposed of Adjusted Property. Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.
(C) In the case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners resulting from a Book-Down Event or from the recognition of a Net Termination Loss, such negative adjustment (1) shall first be allocated, to the extent of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been the Capital Account balances of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred, and (2) any negative adjustment in excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof.
(D) For purposes of this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the Unitholders shall be treated as being allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders under this Agreement. In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii). Without limiting the foregoing, if an Adjusted Property is contributed by the Partnership to another entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (the “lower tier partnership”), the General Partner may make allocations similar to those described in Sections 6.1(d)(xii)(A)—(C) to the extent the General Partner determines such allocations are necessary to account for the Partnership’s allocable share of income, gain, loss and deduction of the lower tier partnership that relate to the contributed Adjusted Property in a manner that is consistent with the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii).
(xiii) Intentionally deleted.
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(xiv) Special Allocation in Event of Section 482 Adjustment. If, and to the extent that, the Partnership is deemed to recognize any item of income, gain, loss or deduction (or any adjustment to these items) pursuant to Section 482 of the Code or similar provision now or hereafter in effect and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder as a result of any transaction between a Partner and the Partnership, the General Partner shall allocate such items among the Partners in a manner that will, as nearly as possible, cause the Capital Account balance of each Partner (taking into account any deemed contributions or distributions) to equal the amount it would have been had no adjustment under Section 482 or similar provision been made.
(xv) Allocations of Retail Items. All Retail Items shall, to the maximum extent possible, be allocated to the holders of the Common Units, Pro Rata.
(xvi) Series A Preferred Unit Issuance Premium Allocation. Income of the Partnership attributable to the issuance by the Partnership of a Series A Preferred Unit for an amount in excess of the Series A Liquidation Preference shall be allocated to the Unitholders (other than Series A Holders) Pro Rata.
Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partner’s discretion under Section 6.1(d)(x)(E)); provided, that the General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) in all events.
(c) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.
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(d) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.
(e) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.
(f) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be determined for each taxable period and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such item is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.
(g) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.
Section 6.3 Requirements and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.
(a) Within 60 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on September 30, 2012, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be distributed in accordance with this Section 6.3 by the Partnership to Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts of Available Cash distributed
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by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “Capital Surplus.” All distributions required to be made under this Agreement or otherwise made by the Partnership shall be made subject to Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all Partnership assets shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.
(c) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through any Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
Section 6.4 Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.
(a) Intentionally deleted.
(b) Subject to Section 5.14(b)(vi) and except as otherwise contemplated by Section 5.6(b) in respect of additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant thereto, Available Cash with respect to any Quarter that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or Section 6.5 shall be distributed as follows:
(i) First, to all the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(ii) Second, to all the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(iii) Third, (A) 15.0% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (B) 85.0% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;
(iv) Fourth, (A) 25.0% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (B) 75.0% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and
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(v) Thereafter, (A) 50.0% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (B) 50.0% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata;
provided, however, if the Target Distributions have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(b)(v).
Section 6.5 Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus. Subject to Section 5.14(b)(vi) and unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall be distributed:
(a) First, 100% to all the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Minimum Quarterly Distribution has been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a); and
(b) Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4(b).
Section 6.6 Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels.
(a) The Target Distributions shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Interests. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Target Distributions shall be reduced in the same proportion that the distribution had to the fair market value of the Common Units immediately prior to the announcement of the distribution. If the Common Units are publicly traded on a National Securities Exchange, the fair market value will be the Current Market Price before the ex-dividend date. If the Common Units are not publicly traded, the fair market value will be determined by the Board of Directors.
(b) The Target Distributions shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.11 and Section 6.8.
Section 6.7 Intentionally deleted.
Section 6.8 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of IDR Reset Common Units.
(a) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer an IDR Reset Common Unit (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(iii).
(b) A Unitholder holding an IDR Reset Common Unit shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that upon transfer each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and U.S. federal income tax characteristics to the transferee, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and U.S.
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federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit to such transferee. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.8(b), the General Partner may apply Sections 5.5(c)(iii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.8(a) or, to the extent not resulting in a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units, take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such IDR Reset Common Units.
Section 6.9 Entity-Level Taxation. If legislation is enacted or the official interpretation of existing legislation is modified by a governmental authority, which after giving effect to such enactment or modification, results in a Group Member becoming subject to federal, state or local or non-U.S. income or withholding taxes in excess of the amount of such taxes due from the Group Member prior to such enactment or modification (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any increase in the rate of such taxation applicable to the Group Member), then the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, reduce the Target Distributions by the amount of income or withholding taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation (the “Incremental Income Taxes”), or any portion thereof selected by the General Partner, in the manner provided in this Section 6.9. If the General Partner elects to reduce the Target Distributions for any Quarter with respect to all or a portion of any Incremental Income Taxes, the General Partner shall estimate for such Quarter the Partnership Group’s aggregate liability (the “Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount”) for all (or the relevant portion of) such Incremental Income Taxes; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual liability for Incremental Income Taxes (or the relevant portion thereof) for such Quarter may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Target Distributions, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.9 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.
Section 6.10 Special Provisions Relating to Preferred Unitholders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units (a) shall (i) possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Article III and Article VII and (ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, except as provided in Section 5.12(b)(iii), or as required by applicable law, or (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Section 5.12(b)(ii) or Section 12.4(c).
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ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
Section 7.1 Management.
(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, but without limitation on the ability of the General Partner to delegate its rights and power to other Persons, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no other Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.4, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:
(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible or exchangeable into Partnership Interests, and the incurring of any other obligations;
(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;
(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.4 or Article XIV);
(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;
(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if the same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);
(vi) the distribution of cash or cash equivalents by the Partnership;
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(vii) the selection, employment, retention and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors of the General Partner or the Partnership Group and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;
(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other Persons (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time);
(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;
(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange;
(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of Derivative Instruments;
(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the management of any Group Member; and
(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.
(b) Each of the Partners and each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person who is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement (in the case of each agreement other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements after the date hereof); (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own behalf or on behalf of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (b) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners, the other Persons who acquire a Partnership Interest and the
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Persons who are otherwise bound by this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise that the General Partner may owe the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the other Persons who acquire a Partnership Interest or the Persons who are otherwise bound by this Agreement.
(c) As used in the following provisions of this Article VII other than Section 7.12, the term Partnership Interest shall include any Derivative Instruments.
Section 7.2 Replacement of Fiduciary Duties.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that any provision of this Agreement purports or is interpreted (a) to have the effect of replacing, restricting or eliminating the duties that might otherwise, as a result of Delaware or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner or any other Indemnitee to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, or (b) to constitute a waiver or consent by the Partnership, the Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement to any such replacement or restriction, such provision shall be deemed to have been approved by the Partnership, all the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person who is bound by this Agreement.
Section 7.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership. The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Partner.
Section 7.4 Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority. Except as provided in Article XII and Article XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions without the approval of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.
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Section 7.5 Reimbursement of the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner shall be reimbursed by the Partnership Group on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person (including Affiliates of the General Partner) to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the General Partner or any member of the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.5 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7. The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment for such management fee exceeds the amount of such fee.
(b) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership benefit plans, programs and practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests in connection with, or pursuant to, any benefit plan, program or practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees, officers, consultants and directors of the General Partner or its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees, officers, consultants and directors pursuant to any such benefit plans, programs or practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates, from the Partnership or otherwise, to fulfill awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.5(a). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any benefit plans, programs or practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.5(b) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.
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Section 7.6 Outside Activities.
(a) The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership, shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member or (C) the direct or indirect provision of management, advisory, and administrative services to its Affiliates or to other Persons.
(b) Except to the extent otherwise set forth in the Omnibus Agreement, each Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member. No such business interest or activity shall constitute a breach of this Agreement, any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, or obligation of any type whatsoever to the Partnership or other Group Member, any Partner, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any Person who is otherwise bound by this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner). Except to the extent otherwise set forth in the Omnibus Agreement, no Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to any Group Member, and such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership or any other Group Member, any Partner any person who acquires a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is otherwise bound by this Agreement for breach of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise by reason of the fact that such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to any Group Member.
(d) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Interests in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units or other Partnership Interests acquired by them. The term “Affiliates” when used in this Section 7.6(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.
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Section 7.7 Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or refraining to act) in such capacity; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided, further that no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any other Indemnitee (other than a Group Member) with respect to its obligations pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement or the Omnibus Agreement. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in appearing at, participating in or defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 7.7.
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of an Indemnitee and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Indemnitee in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Indemnitee’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Indemnitee against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
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(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by an Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.8 Liability of Indemnitees.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Partners or any other Persons who have acquired interests in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal. In the case where an Indemnitee is liable for damages, those damages shall only be direct damages and shall not include punitive damages, consequential damages or lost profits.
(b) The General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.
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(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership, the Partners, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the Partnership, the Partners, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, for its reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.9 Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties.
(a) Whenever the General Partner, the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee), makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any Affiliates of the General Partner cause the General Partner to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, the Board of Directors, such committee or such Affiliates causing the General Partner to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any higher standard contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. A determination, other action or failure to act by the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) will be deemed to be in good faith unless the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) believed such determination, other action or failure to act was adverse to the interests of the Partnership. In any proceeding brought by the Partnership, any Limited Partner, or any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement challenging such action, determination or failure to act, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of proving that such determination, action or failure to act was not in good faith.
(b) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who otherwise is bound by this Agreement, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.
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By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrases, “at the option of the General Partner,” “in its sole discretion” or some variation of those phrases, are used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.
(c) Whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement on the other hand, the General Partner may in its discretion submit any resolution or course of action with respect to such conflict of interest for (i) Special Approval or (ii) approval by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates). If such course of action or resolution receives Special Approval or approval of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), then such course of action or resolution shall be conclusively deemed approved by the Partnership, all the Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person who is bound by this Agreement, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise or obligation of any type whatsoever. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement and any actions of the General Partner taken in connection therewith, including any conflicts of interest arising from the provision of Potential Affiliate Financial Support or other Permitted Actions, are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or of any duty hereunder or existing at law, in equity or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, any potential conflict of interest that exists or arises between the General Partner or any Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement on the other hand may be resolved as provided in this Section 7.9(c)(i) and (ii) or as directed by the Board of Directors of the General Partner, provided that the Board of Directors of the General Partner makes takes or declines to take any action to resolve the conflict in accordance with the standard of care set forth in Section 7.9(a).
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates or any other Indemnitee shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be in its sole discretion.
(e) The Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.
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Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Indemnitees.
(a) The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(b) The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.
(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of any Group Member.
Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests. As long as Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Interests for its own account, subject to the provisions of Article IV and Article VX.
Section 7.12 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) holds Partnership Interests that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Partnership Interests (the “Holder”) to dispose of the number of Partnership Interests it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Interests covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Interests specified by the Holder; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a); provided further, however, that if the General Partner determines that a postponement of the requested registration would be in the best interests of the Partnership and its Partners due to a pending transaction,
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investigation or other event, the filing of such registration statement or the effectiveness thereof may be deferred for up to six months, but not thereafter. In connection with any registration pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Interests subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Interests in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(b) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of Partnership Interests for cash (other than an offering relating solely to a benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of Partnership Interests held by any Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided, that the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so include the Partnership Interests of the Holder once the registration statement becomes or is declared effective by the Commission, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of Partnership Interests pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(b) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s Partnership Interests would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of Partnership Interests held by the Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(c) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers and directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “Indemnified Persons”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise
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(hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(c) as a “claim” and in the plural as “claims”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Interests were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or free writing prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(d) The provisions of Section 7.12(a) and Section 7.12(b) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partner’s Affiliates) after it ceases to be a general partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Interests with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Interests for which registration was demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(c) shall continue in effect thereafter.
(e) The rights to cause the Partnership to register Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 7.12 may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder to a transferee or assignee of such Partnership Interests, provided (i) the Partnership is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the Partnership Interests with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned; and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms set forth in this Section 7.12.
(f) Any request to register Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Interests intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer such Partnership Interests for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Interests, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Interests.
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Section 7.13 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section 8.1 Records and Accounting. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units or other Partnership Interests, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Partnership shall not be required to keep books maintained on a cash basis and the General Partner shall be permitted to calculate cash-based measures, including Operating Surplus and Adjusted Operating Surplus, by making such adjustments to its accrual basis books to account for non-cash items and other adjustments as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section 8.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.
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Section 8.3 Reports.
(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means, to each Record Holder of a Unit or other Partnership Interest as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 50 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means to each Record Holder of a Unit or other Partnership Interest, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
(c) The General Partner shall be deemed to have made a report available to each Record Holder as required by this Section 8.3 if it has either (i) filed such report with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any successor system and such report is publicly available on such system or (ii) made such report available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership.
ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information. The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal, state and local income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable period ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Section 9.2 Tax Elections.
(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(f) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.
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(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.
Section 9.3 Tax Controversies.
The General Partner shall designate the Organizational Limited Partner, or such other Partner as the General Partner shall designate, as the “partnership representative” in accordance with the rules prescribed pursuant to Section 6223 of the Code (the “Partnership Representative”). The Partnership Representative shall have the authority to designate from time to time a “Designated Individual” to act on behalf of the Partnership Representative, and such Designated Individual shall be subject to replacement by the Partnership Representative in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 301.6223-1. The Partnership Representative, or the Designated Individual, as applicable, shall have the sole authority to act on behalf of the Partnership in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. The Partnership Representative or the Designated Individual, as applicable, shall exercise in its sole discretion, any and all authority of the Partnership Representative under the Code, including, without limitation, (i) binding the Partnership and its Partners with respect to tax matters and (ii) determining whether to make any available election under Section 6226 of the Code. Any reasonable, documented cost or expense that the Partnership Representative or the Designated Individual, as applicable, incurs in connection with its duties, including the preparation for or pursuance of administrative or judicial proceedings, shall be paid by the Partnership. Neither the Partnership Representative nor the Designated Individual shall be liable to the Partnership or to its partners for acts or omissions taken or suffered by it in its capacity as either Partnership Representative or Designated Individual, as the case may be, in good faith; provided that such act or omission is not in willful violation of this Agreement and does not constitute fraud or a willful violation of law. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner in connection with any examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities.
The General Partner shall amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate in accordance with Article XIII to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations implementing the partnership audit, assessment and collection rules adopted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, including any amendments to those rules.
Section 9.4 Withholding; Tax Payments.
(a) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, all or less than all of the Partners, either as a distribution of cash to such Partners or as a general expense of the Partnership, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.
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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income or from a distribution to any Partner (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.
ARTICLE X
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
Section 10.1 Admission of Limited Partners.
(a) A Person shall be admitted as a Limited Partner and shall become bound by the terms of this Agreement if such Person purchases or otherwise lawfully acquires any Limited Partner Interest and becomes the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests in accordance with the provisions of Article IV or Article V hereof. Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units and Incentive Distribution Rights to the General Partner, the Organizational Limited Partner and the Underwriters as described in Article V in connection with the Initial Offering, such parties will be automatically admitted to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units or Incentive Distribution Rights issued to them.
(b) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with Article IV or the acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger or consolidation or conversion pursuant to Article XIV, and except as provided in Section 4.8, each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee or other recipient has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (iv) makes the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in this Agreement and (v) shall be deemed to certify that the transferee is not an Ineligible Holder, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner or Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and until such Person is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.8.
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(c) The name and mailing address of each Record Holder shall be listed on the books and records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the books and records of the Partnership from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section 4.1.
(d) Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(b).
Section 10.2 Admission of Successor General Partner. A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.
Section 10.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership. To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership.
ARTICLE XI
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “Event of Withdrawal”);
(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;
(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6;
(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
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(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (iv)-(iv) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;
(v) A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or
(vi) (A) if the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) if the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) if the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) if the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise upon the termination of the General Partner.
If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (D) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.
(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 11:59 pm, prevailing Central Time, on September 30, 2022, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 11:59 pm, prevailing Central Time, on September 30, 2022, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (b) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited
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Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1 unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner. The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a class (including, in each case, Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.2. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.2, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.
Section 11.3 Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner.
(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, the Departing General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest and its or its Affiliates’ general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its or its Affiliates’ Incentive Distribution Rights
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(collectively, the “Combined Interest”) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its withdrawal or removal. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest. In either event, the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 7.5, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.
For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s withdrawal or removal, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such withdrawal or removal, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the value of the Units, including the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner, the value of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner Interest and other factors it may deem relevant.
(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing General Partner (and its Affiliates, if applicable) shall become a Limited Partner and the Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (and its Affiliates, if applicable) contributed the Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
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(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and (y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.
Section 11.4 Intentionally deleted.
Section 11.5 Withdrawal of Limited Partners. No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 12.1 Dissolution. The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1, 11.2 or 12.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner is hereby authorized to, and shall, continue the business of the Partnership. Subject to Section 12.2, the Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by a Unit Majority;
(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or
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(d) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.
Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution. Upon (a) an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:
(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;
(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and
(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement; provided, that the right of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
Section 12.3 Liquidator. Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers
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conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.4) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.
Section 12.4 Liquidation. The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:
(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.
(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.
(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) and that required to satisfy the Series A Liquidation Preference provided for under Section 5.12(v) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).
Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership. Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.
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Section 12.6 Return of Contributions. The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.
Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition. To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.
Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration. No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable period of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner. Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;
(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;
(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
(d) a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class or series of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes or series of Partnership Interests) in any material respect (except as permitted by subsection (g) hereof), (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes or series to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes or series of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be
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listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions (other than Series A Distributions) are to be made by the Partnership;
(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;
(g) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments pursuant to Section 5.6;
(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;
(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 14.3;
(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4 or Section 7.1(a);
(k) a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or
(l) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so in its sole discretion, and, in declining to propose or approve an amendment, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. An amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.1 or 13.3, a Unit Majority, unless a
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greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any amendments. The General Partner shall be deemed to have notified all Record Holders as required by this Section 13.2 if it has either (i) filed such amendment with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such amendment is publicly available on such system or (ii) made such amendment available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership.
Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this Agreement (other than Section 11.2 or 13.4) that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) or requires a vote or approval of Partners (or a subset of Partners) holding a specified Percentage Interest required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing or increasing such percentage, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced or increased, as applicable, or the affirmative vote of Partners whose aggregate Percentage Interests constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced, as applicable.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of (including requiring any holder of a class of Partnership Interests to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership) any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict, change or modify in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3 or Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected. If the General Partner determines an amendment does not satisfy the requirements of Section 13.1(d) because it adversely affects one or more classes of Partnership Interests, as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests, in any material respect, such amendment shall only be required to be approved by the adversely affected class or classes.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.
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(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) holding at least 90% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners.
Section 13.4 Special Meetings. All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 16.1. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.
Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting. Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.
Section 13.6 Record Date. For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading or U.S. federal securities laws, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange or U.S. federal securities laws shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.
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Section 13.7 Adjournment. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.
Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes. The transaction of business at any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.
Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting. The holders of a majority, by Percentage Interest, of Partnership Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Partners requires approval by holders of a greater Percentage Interest, in which case the quorum shall be such greater Percentage Interest. At any meeting of the Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Partners holding Partnership Interests that, in the aggregate, represent a majority of the Percentage Interest of those present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Partners holding Partnership Interests that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required; provided, however, that if, as a matter of law or amendment to this Agreement, approval by plurality vote of Partners (or any class thereof) is required to approve any action, no minimum quorum shall be required. The Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by Partners holding the required Percentage Interest specified in this Agreement. In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of Partners with at least a majority, by Percentage Interest, of the Partnership Interests entitled to vote at such meeting (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.
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Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting. The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.
Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting. If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting, without a vote and without prior notice, if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage, by Percentage Interest, of the Partnership Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner), as the case may be, that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners entitled to vote at such meeting were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner and (b) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners. Nothing contained in this Section 13.11 shall be deemed to require the General Partner to solicit all Limited Partners in connection with a matter approved by the holders of the requisite percentage of Units acting by written consent without a meeting.
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Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters.
(a) Only those Record Holders of the Outstanding Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.
Section 13.13 Voting of Incentive Distribution Rights.
(a) For so long as a majority of the Incentive Distribution Rights are held by the General Partner and its Affiliates, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Rights on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law and the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, in their capacity as such, shall be deemed to have approved any matter approved by the General Partner.
(b) If less than a majority of the Incentive Distribution Rights are held by the General Partner and its Affiliates, the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of Unitholders, other than amendments and other matters that the General Partner determines do not adversely affect the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights as a whole in any material respect. On any matter in which the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights are entitled to vote, such holders will vote together with the Common Units as a single class except as otherwise required by Section 13.3(c), and such Incentive Distribution Rights shall be treated in all respects as Common Units when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement. The relative voting power of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the Common Units will be set in the same proportion as cumulative cash distributions, if any, in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights for the four consecutive Quarters prior to the record date for the vote bears to the cumulative cash distributions in respect of such class of Units for such four Quarters.
(c) In connection with any equity financing, or anticipated equity financing, by the Partnership of an Expansion Capital Expenditure, the General Partner may, without the approval of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, temporarily or permanently reduce the amount of Incentive Distributions that would otherwise be distributed to such holders, provided that in the judgment of the General Partner, such reduction will be in the long-term best interest of such holders.
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ARTICLE XIV
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
Section 14.1 Authority. The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation (“Merger Agreement”) in accordance with this Article XIV.
Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger or Consolidation.
(a) Merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger or consolidation, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.
(b) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(i) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;
(ii) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “Surviving Business Entity”);
(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, then the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of equity interests represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
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(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain and stated in the certificate of merger); and
(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners.
(a) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement shall direct that the Merger Agreement and the merger or consolidation contemplated thereby, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.
(b) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), the Merger Agreement shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement contains any provision that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement or the Delaware Act would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement.
(c) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax
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purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with substantially the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.
(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (A) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (B) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to this Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (C) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (D) each Partnership Interest outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Partnership Interest of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (E) the number of Partnership Interests to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Interests (other than Incentive Distribution Rights) Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.
(f) Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.
Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger. Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.
Section 14.5 Effect of Merger or Consolidation.
(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;
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(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
ARTICLE XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable in its sole discretion, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.
(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “Notice of Election to Purchase”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer
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Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests.
(c) In the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, at any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.
ARTICLE XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices; Written Communications.
(a) Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via
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such mode of delivery. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report given or made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 is returned marked to indicate that such notice, payment or report was unable to be delivered, such notice, payment or report and, in the case of notices, payments or reports returned by the United States Postal Service (or other physical mail delivery mail service outside the United States of America), any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) or other delivery if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.
(b) The terms “in writing”, “written communications,” “written notice” and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of e-mail and other forms of electronic communication.
Section 16.2 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 16.3 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 16.4 Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
Section 16.5 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
Section 16.6 Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 16.7 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Each Partner agrees that (a) any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee and (b) any Unrestricted Person shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Unrestricted Person.
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Section 16.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) without execution hereof.
Section 16.9 Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury.
(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
(b) Each of the Partners and each Person holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):
(i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims;
(ii) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction) in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;
(iii) agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or of any other court to which proceedings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;
(iv) expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding; and
(v) consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, nothing in clause (v) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
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Section 16.10 Invalidity of Provisions. If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is or becomes for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and/or parts thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision or part reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.
Section 16.11 Consent of Partners. Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.
Section 16.12 Facsimile Signatures. The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and registrar of the Partnership on Certificates representing Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| GENERAL PARTNER: | ||
| SUNOCO GP LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Dylan A. Bramhall | |
| Name: | Dylan A. Bramhall | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership]
Exhibit 4.1
SUNOCO LP
and
EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO
5.625% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031
5.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2034
INDENTURE
Dated as of September 18, 2025
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE 1 |
| |||||
| DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
| |||||
| Section 1.01 | Definitions | 1 | ||||
| Section 1.02 | Other Definitions | 12 | ||||
| Section 1.03 | Rules of Construction | 13 | ||||
| ARTICLE 2 |
| |||||
| THE NOTES |
| |||||
| Section 2.01 | Form and Dating | 13 | ||||
| Section 2.02 | Execution and Authentication | 14 | ||||
| Section 2.03 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 15 | ||||
| Section 2.04 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 15 | ||||
| Section 2.05 | Holder Lists | 15 | ||||
| Section 2.06 | Transfer and Exchange | 16 | ||||
| Section 2.07 | Replacement Notes | 26 | ||||
| Section 2.08 | Outstanding Notes | 27 | ||||
| Section 2.09 | Treasury Notes | 27 | ||||
| Section 2.10 | Temporary Notes | 27 | ||||
| Section 2.11 | Cancellation | 27 | ||||
| Section 2.12 | Defaulted Interest | 28 | ||||
| ARTICLE 3 |
| |||||
| REDEMPTION |
| |||||
| Section 3.01 | Notices to Trustee | 28 | ||||
| Section 3.02 | Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed | 28 | ||||
| Section 3.03 | Notice of Redemption | 29 | ||||
| Section 3.04 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 30 | ||||
| Section 3.05 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 30 | ||||
| Section 3.06 | Notes Redeemed in Part | 30 | ||||
| Section 3.07 | Optional Redemption | 31 | ||||
| Section 3.08 | Special Mandatory Redemption | 33 | ||||
| ARTICLE 4 |
| |||||
| COVENANTS |
| |||||
| Section 4.01 | Payment of Notes | 33 | ||||
| Section 4.02 | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 34 | ||||
| Section 4.03 | Reports | 34 | ||||
| Section 4.04 | Compliance Certificate | 35 | ||||
| Section 4.05 | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 35 | ||||
| Section 4.06 | Additional Guarantees | 36 | ||||
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| Section 4.07 | Limitation on Liens | 36 | ||||
| Section 4.08 | Restrictions on Sale-Leasebacks | 38 | ||||
| Section 4.09 | Change of Control | 38 | ||||
| ARTICLE 5 |
| |||||
| SUCCESSORS |
| |||||
| Section 5.01 | Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets | 41 | ||||
| Section 5.02 | Successor Person Substituted | 42 | ||||
| ARTICLE 6 |
| |||||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
| |||||
| Section 6.01 | Events of Default | 42 | ||||
| Section 6.02 | Acceleration | 44 | ||||
| Section 6.03 | Other Remedies | 45 | ||||
| Section 6.04 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 45 | ||||
| Section 6.05 | Control by Majority | 45 | ||||
| Section 6.06 | Limitation on Suits | 45 | ||||
| Section 6.07 | [Reserved] | 46 | ||||
| Section 6.08 | Collection Suit by Trustee | 46 | ||||
| Section 6.09 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 46 | ||||
| Section 6.10 | Priorities | 47 | ||||
| Section 6.11 | Undertaking for Costs | 47 | ||||
| ARTICLE 7 |
| |||||
| TRUSTEE |
| |||||
| Section 7.01 | Duties of Trustee | 47 | ||||
| Section 7.02 | Rights of Trustee | 48 | ||||
| Section 7.03 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 49 | ||||
| Section 7.04 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 50 | ||||
| Section 7.05 | Notice of Defaults | 50 | ||||
| Section 7.06 | [Reserved] | 50 | ||||
| Section 7.07 | Compensation and Indemnity | 50 | ||||
| Section 7.08 | Replacement of Trustee | 51 | ||||
| Section 7.09 | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. | 52 | ||||
| Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 52 | ||||
| Section 7.11 | Force Majeure | 52 | ||||
| Section 7.12 | U.S.A. PATRIOT Act | 52 | ||||
| ARTICLE 8 |
| |||||
| LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
| |||||
| Section 8.01 | Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 53 | ||||
| Section 8.02 | Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 53 | ||||
| Section 8.03 | Covenant Defeasance | 53 | ||||
| Section 8.04 | Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 54 | ||||
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| Section 8.05 | Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 55 | ||||
| Section 8.06 | Repayment to the Issuer | 56 | ||||
| Section 8.07 | Reinstatement | 56 | ||||
| ARTICLE 9 |
| |||||
| AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER |
| |||||
| Section 9.01 | Without Consent of Holders of Notes | 56 | ||||
| Section 9.02 | With Consent of Holders of Notes | 57 | ||||
| Section 9.03 | [Reserved] | 59 | ||||
| Section 9.04 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 59 | ||||
| Section 9.05 | Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 59 | ||||
| Section 9.06 | Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. | 59 | ||||
| ARTICLE 10 |
| |||||
| NOTE GUARANTEES |
| |||||
| Section 10.01 | Guarantee | 59 | ||||
| Section 10.02 | Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 61 | ||||
| Section 10.03 | Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee | 61 | ||||
| Section 10.04 | Releases | 61 | ||||
| ARTICLE 11 |
| |||||
| SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
| |||||
| Section 11.01 | Satisfaction and Discharge | 62 | ||||
| Section 11.02 | Application of Trust Money | 63 | ||||
| ARTICLE 12 |
| |||||
| MISCELLANEOUS |
| |||||
| Section 12.01 | Trust Indenture Act Not Applicable | 64 | ||||
| Section 12.02 | Notices | 64 | ||||
| Section 12.03 | [Reserved] | 65 | ||||
| Section 12.04 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 65 | ||||
| Section 12.05 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 66 | ||||
| Section 12.06 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 66 | ||||
| Section 12.07 | No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Equity Holders | 66 | ||||
| Section 12.08 | Governing Law | 66 | ||||
| Section 12.09 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 66 | ||||
| Section 12.10 | Successors | 66 | ||||
| Section 12.11 | Severability | 67 | ||||
| Section 12.12 | Counterpart Originals | 67 | ||||
| Section 12.13 | Evidence of Action by Holders | 67 | ||||
| Section 12.14 | Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 67 | ||||
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| EXHIBITS | ||
| Exhibit A-1 | FORM OF 2031 NOTE | |
| Exhibit A-2 | FORM OF 2034 NOTE | |
| Exhibit B | FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER | |
| Exhibit C | FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE | |
| Exhibit D | FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE | |
| Exhibit E | FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE | |
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This INDENTURE, dated as of September 18, 2025, is among SUNOCO LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of the Issuer’s 5.625% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) and 5.875% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes” and, together with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes” and each individually, a “Note”):
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
“Additional 2031 Notes” means additional 2031 Notes (other than the Initial 2031 Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial 2031 Notes.
“Additional 2034 Notes” means additional 2034 Notes (other than the Initial 2034 Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial 2034 Notes.
“Additional Notes” means the Additional 2031 Notes and the Additional 2034 Notes, collectively.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
“Applicable Premium” means with respect to any Note at the time of computation, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of the Note at September 15, 2027, in the case of the 2031 Notes, and at September 15, 2028, in the case of the 2034 Notes (such redemption prices being set forth in Section 3.07(a)(2), with respect to the 2031 Notes, and Section 3.07(b)(2), with respect to the 2034 Notes) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through September 15, 2027, in the case of the 2031 Notes, and September 15, 2028, in the case of the 2034 Notes (in each case excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date, as applicable), computed using a discount rate equal to the applicable Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (b) the principal amount of the Note.
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“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System, and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, that apply to such transfer or exchange.
“Attributable Indebtedness,” when used with respect to any Sale-Leaseback Transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value, discounted at the rate set forth or implicit in the terms of the lease included in the transaction, of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments, other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items that constitute payments for property rights, during the remaining term of the lease included in the Sale-Leaseback Transaction, including any period for which the lease has been extended. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty or other termination payment, the amount shall be the lesser of the amount determined assuming termination upon the first date the lease may be terminated, in which case the amount shall also include the amount of the penalty or termination payment, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under the lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated, or the amount determined assuming no termination.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that, in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning. For purposes of this definition, a “person” shall be deemed not to Beneficially Own securities that are the subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement, amalgamation agreement, arrangement agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.
“Board of Directors” means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the partnership or, if such general partner is itself a limited partnership, then the board of directors or board of managers of its general partner;
2
(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and
(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person,
but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
“Change of Control” means, with respect to either series of Notes, the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a Qualified Owner, which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline with respect to such series of Notes within 60 days;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer or the removal of the General Partner by the limited partners of the Issuer; or
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a Qualified Owner, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner or of the Issuer, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline with respect to such series of Notes within 60 days.
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Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Issuer from a limited partnership to a corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding limited partnership interests for capital stock in a corporation, for member interests in a limited liability company or for Equity Interests in such other form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as immediately following such conversion or exchange either (i) the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who immediately prior to such transactions Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Issuer immediately after the transactions continue to Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity, and, in either case no “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), excluding any Qualified Owner, Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity or (ii) one or more Qualified Owners in the aggregate own more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes, any Qualified Retail Asset Sale shall not constitute a Change of Control.
“Company Order” means a written order delivered to the Trustee by the Issuer and executed on its behalf by an Officer of the General Partner.
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of total assets included in such Person’s most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such balance sheet, after (i) adding the aggregate incremental amount of total assets that would have resulted from an acquisition of assets from an Affiliate that is accounted for as a pooling had it been accounted for using purchase accounting and (ii) deducting the following amounts: (a) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, excluding (A) any current liabilities that by their terms are extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being computed, and (B) current maturities of long-term Debt, and (b) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuer.
“Credit Agreement” means that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2024, by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders and collateral agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder).
“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, accounts receivable financing (including through the sale of accounts receivable to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such accounts receivable) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder).
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“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
“Debt” means any obligation created or assumed by any Person for the repayment of money borrowed, and any purchase money obligation created or assumed by such Person and any guarantee of the foregoing.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Equity Interests (other than to a Subsidiary) made for cash on a primary basis by the Issuer after the date of this Indenture.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.
“General Partner” means Sunoco GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Issuer or as the business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Issuer.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable, and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Sections 2.01, 2.06(b)(3) or 2.06(b)(4) hereof.
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“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.
“Guarantors” means each of:
(1) the Subsidiaries of the Issuer executing this Indenture as initial Guarantors; and
(2) any other Subsidiary of the Issuer that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.
“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Initial 2031 Notes” means the $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2031 Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.
“Initial 2034 Notes” means the $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2034 Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.
“Initial Notes” means the Initial 2031 Notes and the Initial 2034 Notes, collectively.
“Initial Purchasers” means Barclays Capital Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC and the other initial purchasers of the Initial Notes identified under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Offering Memorandum.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating of a series of Notes equal to or higher than Baa3 by Moody’s or BBB- by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate such series of Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Issuer, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” registered under Section 15E of the Exchange Act selected by the Issuer as a replacement agency).
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in Dallas, Texas or the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement. In no event shall a right of first refusal be deemed to constitute a Lien.
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“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
“Note Guarantee” means the guarantee by each Guarantor of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.
“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The 2031 Notes and the 2034 Notes shall be separate series of the Notes. The Initial Notes and Additional Notes of each series shall be treated as a single series for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase, and, unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes of a series shall include any Additional Notes of such series.
“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Debt.
“Offering Memorandum” means the final Offering Memorandum of the Issuer, dated September 4, 2025 with respect to the Notes.
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited partnership, the general partner of such Person, and in the case of the Issuer, the General Partner).
“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed on behalf of such Person by any two of its Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of such Person, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer, the General Partner, any Subsidiary of the Issuer or the General Partner or the Trustee.
“Pari Passu Debt” means any Debt of the Issuer or a Subsidiary, whether outstanding on the date any Notes are issued under this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless in the case of any particular Debt, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Debt shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the Note Guarantees.
“Parkland” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Parkland Acquisition.”
“Parkland Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Issuer of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Parkland Corporation, an Alberta corporation (“Parkland”).
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“Permitted Liens” means:
(1) Liens upon rights-of-way for pipeline purposes created by a Person other than the Issuer;
(2) any statutory or governmental Lien or Lien arising by operation of law, or any mechanic’s, repairmen’s, materialmen’s, supplier’s, carrier’s, landlord’s, warehousemen’s or similar Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business which is not yet due or which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and any undetermined Lien which is incidental to construction, development, improvement or repair;
(3) the right reserved to, or vested in, any municipality or public authority by the terms of any right, power, franchise, grant, license, permit or by any provision of law, to purchase or recapture or to designate a purchaser of, any property;
(4) any Lien of taxes and assessments which are (A) for the then current year, (B) not at the time delinquent, or (C) delinquent but the validity of which is being contested in good faith at the time by the Issuer or any Subsidiary;
(5) any Lien of, or to secure the performance of, leases, other than capital leases;
(6) any Lien upon, or deposits of, any assets in favor of any surety company or clerk of court for the purpose of obtaining indemnity or stay of judicial proceedings;
(7) any Lien upon property or assets acquired or sold by the Issuer or any Subsidiary resulting from the exercise of any rights arising out of defaults on receivables;
(8) any Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, temporary disability, social security, retiree health or similar laws or regulations or to secure obligations imposed by statute or governmental regulations;
(9) any Lien in favor of the Issuer or any Subsidiary;
(10) any Lien in favor of the United States of America or any state thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any state thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute, or any Debt incurred by the Issuer or any Subsidiary for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of, or the cost of constructing, developing, repairing or improving, the property or assets subject to such Lien;
(11) any Lien securing industrial development, pollution control or similar revenue bonds;
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(12) any Lien securing Debt of the Issuer or any Subsidiary, all or a portion of the net proceeds of which are used, substantially concurrent with the funding thereof (and for purposes of determining such “substantial concurrence,” taking into consideration, among other things, required notices to be given to Holders of outstanding Notes under this Indenture in connection with such refunding, refinancing or repurchase, and the required corresponding durations thereof), to refinance, refund or repurchase all outstanding Notes under this Indenture including the amount of all accrued interest thereon and reasonable fees and expenses and premium, if any, incurred by the Issuer or any Subsidiary in connection therewith;
(13) any Lien in favor of any Person to secure obligations under the provisions of any letters of credit, bank guarantees, bonds or surety obligations required or requested by any governmental authority in connection with any contract or statute; or
(14) any Lien upon or deposits of any assets to secure performance of bids, trade contracts or statutory obligations.
“Permitted Swap Agreements” means (a) Swap Agreements entered into for the purpose of fixing, hedging or swapping interest rate, commodity price or foreign currency exchange rate risk (or to reverse or amend any such agreements previously made for such purposes), and not for speculative purposes, and (b) other Swap Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities, and not for speculative purposes.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1)(A) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Qualified Owner” means any of (i) LE GP, LLC and Energy Transfer LP, (ii) any Person who Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of any entity specified in clause (i) above or who Beneficially Owns sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other Persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity and (iii) any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any entity specified in either clause (i) or clause (ii) above.
“Qualified Retail Asset Sale” means the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any Qualified Retail Assets (whether directly or indirectly, whether by sale or lease of any such Qualified Retail Assets, or of any Equity Interests or other interests in any Person holding such Qualified Retail Assets, or any consolidation or merger, or any combination thereof, and whether in one or more transactions, or otherwise).
“Qualified Retail Assets” means any assets used by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in (i) the retail sale of motor fuel, (ii) the operation of convenience stores or (iii) activities or services reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to clause (i) or clause (ii), that are acquired by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Issuer’s or such Subsidiary’s acquisition of any assets used in the distribution of motor fuels (whether directly or indirectly, whether by sale or lease of such assets, or of any Equity Interests or other interests in any Person holding such assets, or any consolidation or merger, or any combination thereof, and whether in one or more transactions, or otherwise).
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“Ratings Categories” means:
(1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and
(2) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).
“Ratings Decline” means, with respect to a series of Notes, a decrease in the rating of such series of Notes by both Moody’s and S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories); provided that Moody’s and S&P have confirmed that such decrease in the rating of such series of Notes is a result of the Change of Control. In determining whether the rating of the Notes of a series has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Ratings Categories, namely + or—for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a ratings decline either from BB+ to BB or BB to BB- will constitute a decrease of one gradation.
“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any redemption of Notes of either series pursuant to this Indenture, the date on which the redemption occurs.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
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“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securitization Transaction” means any transaction in which the Issuer or any Subsidiary sells or otherwise transfers accounts receivable or other rights to payment (whether existing or arising in the future) and assets related thereto (a) to one or more purchasers or (b) to a special purpose entity that (i) borrows under a loan secured by or issues securities payable from such accounts receivable or other rights to payment (or undivided interests therein) and related assets or (ii) sells or otherwise transfers such accounts receivable or other rights to payment (or undivided interests therein) and related assets to one or more purchasers, whether or not amounts received in connection with the sale or other transfer of such accounts receivable or other rights to payment and related assets to an entity referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) above would under GAAP be accounted for as liabilities on a consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.
“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or Debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or member of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or (b) if there is more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only managing general partners or managing members of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.
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“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to September 15, 2027 (in the case of the 2031 Notes) or September 15, 2028 (in the case of the 2034 Notes); provided, however, that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a yield is given, the Issuer shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one twelfth of a year) from the yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, and except that if such period is less than one year, the yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. The Issuer will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate on the second Business Day preceding the applicable Redemption Date and (b) prior to such Redemption Date, file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate.
“Trustee” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
| Term |
Defined in Section | |
| “2031 Notes” | Preamble | |
| “2034 Notes” | Preamble | |
| “Alternate Offer” | 4.09(c) | |
| “Arrangement Agreement” | 3.08(a) | |
| “Authentication Order” | 2.02 | |
| “Change of Control Offer” | 4.09(a) | |
| “Change of Control Payment” | 4.09(a) | |
| “Change of Control Payment Date” | 4.09(a) | |
| “Covenant Defeasance” | 8.03 |
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| “DTC” | 2.03 | |
| “Event of Default” | 6.01 | |
| “Issuer” | Preamble | |
| “Legal Defeasance” | 8.02 | |
| “Patriot Act” | 7.12 | |
| “Paying Agent” | 2.03 | |
| “Payment Default” | 6.01(6)(A) | |
| “Registrar” | 2.03 | |
| “Resale Restriction Period” | 2.06(g)(1)(A) | |
| “Sale-Leaseback Transaction” | 4.08 | |
| “SMR Outside Date” | 3.08(a) | |
| “Special Mandatory Redemption” | 3.08(a) | |
| “Special Mandatory Redemption Date” | 3.08(b) | |
| “Special Mandatory Redemption Price” | 3.08(a) | |
| “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger Date” | 3.08(a) |
Section 1.03 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(5) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or Exchange Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Notes of each series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes of the applicable series as will be specified therein, and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, repurchases and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.
At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.
A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers of the Issuer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including (a) $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Initial 2031 Notes to be issued on the date of this Indenture and any Additional 2031 Notes and (b) $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Initial 2034 Notes to be issued on the date of this Indenture and any Additional 2034 Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes of a series outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series authorized for issuance by the Issuer pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer.
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Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Issuer will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Issuer will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
Section 2.05 Holder Lists.
The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders of Notes. If the Trustee is not the Registrar for the Notes, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes.
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Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Issuer for Definitive Notes of the same series if:
(1) the Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days; or
(2) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default with respect to such series of the Notes and the Depositary notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Notes for Definitive Notes.
Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or Section 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note of the same series in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).
(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:
(A) both:
(i) a written order from a participant or an indirect participant in the Depositary given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and
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(ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the participant account to be credited with such increase; or
(B) both:
(i) a written order from a participant or an indirect participant in the Depositary given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and
(ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in clause (i) above.
Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.
(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note of the same series if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and
(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:
(A) [reserved];
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(B) [reserved];
(C) [reserved]; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(4) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate, one or more Unrestricted Global Notes of the same series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests exchanged or transferred pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(4).
(5) Exchange or Transfer Prohibited. Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
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(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) [reserved];
(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note of the same series in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series only if:
(A) [reserved];
(B) [reserved];
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(C) [reserved]; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note of the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note of the same series, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note of the same series in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the participant or indirect participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests. Definitive Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Global Note.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the
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Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).
(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series if:
(A) [reserved];
(B) [reserved];
(C) [reserved]; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
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and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f) [Reserved].
(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
(1) Private Placement Legend.
(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS A NON-U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO IT IN THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PURCHASE IS MADE, AND (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS, IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATEST OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE
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ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), AND IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF (1) THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES, AS APPLICABLE, AND (2) THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S (AS APPLICABLE, THE “RESALE RESTRICTION PERIOD”) ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO IT IN THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PURCHASE IS MADE, (D) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S, OR REGISTRAR’S, AS APPLICABLE, RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C) OR CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM CONTAINED IN THE INDENTURE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE OR REGISTRAR. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE RESALE RESTRICTION PERIOD.”
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (j) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.
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(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER.
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes of the same series or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes of the same series, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or
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transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note of the same series, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of a Company Order or at the Registrar’s request.
(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06 and 9.05 hereof).
(3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(5) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer will be required:
(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange, any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;
(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or
(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.
(6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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(7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes for original issue in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
(8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronic transmission.
(j) Automatic Exchange from Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Global Note. At the option of the Issuer and upon compliance with the Applicable Procedures, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note shall be exchanged automatically for beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series. Upon such exchange of beneficial interests pursuant to this Section 2.06(j), the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date of such transfer and a decrease and increase, respectively, in the principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Note and the Unrestricted Global Note, respectively, equal to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred. Following any such transfer pursuant to this Section 2.06(j) of all of the beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note, such Restricted Global Note shall be canceled.
(k) Transfers of Securities Held by Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.06, any certificate (i) evidencing a Note that has been transferred to an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of the Issuer, as evidenced by a notation on the certificate of transfer or certificate of exchange for such transfer or in the representation letter delivered in respect thereof, or (ii) evidencing a Note that has been acquired from an affiliate (other than by an affiliate) in a transaction or a chain of transactions not involving any public offering, as evidenced by a notation on the certificate of transfer or certificate of exchange for such transfer or in the representation letter delivered in respect thereof, shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Issuer, until one year after the last date on which either the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer was an owner of such Note, in each case, be in the form of a permanent Definitive Note and bear the private placement legend subject to the restrictions in this Section 2.06. The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to this Section 2.06(k). The Issuer, at its sole cost and expense, shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable advance written notice to the Trustee.
Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuer and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuer and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes of the same series duly issued hereunder.
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Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a)(1) or Section 3.07(b)(1) hereof, as applicable.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds as of 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on a Redemption Date, or other maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.11 Cancellation.
The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes
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(subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Issuer at the written request of the Issuer. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.
If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on the applicable record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Issuer will fix or cause to be fixed each such payment date and, if such payment date is beyond the applicable grace period, a special record date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) will send or cause to be sent to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provision of Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuer must furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before the giving of the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:
(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;
(2) the Redemption Date;
(3) the series and principal amount of Notes to be redeemed;
(4) the redemption price, if then determinable and, if not, then a method for determination; and
(5) any conditions precedent with respect to such redemption.
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes of that series for redemption as follows:
(1) if such Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which such Notes are listed; or
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(2) if such Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee deems fair (except that Global Notes will be selected by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law).
No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part.
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.
Except as provided in Section 3.08, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Issuer will send, or cause to be sent, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes of the relevant series or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Notes pursuant to Article 8 or Article 11 hereof, as applicable.
The notice of redemption will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the redemption price, if then determinable, and, if not, then a method for determination;
(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes of the same series and in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(6) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption will cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section 3.02 of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(9) any conditions precedent with respect to such redemption.
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At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days prior to the date of giving such notice (unless a shorter notice period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph. Such Officers’ Certificate may be combined with the Officers’ Certificate referred to in Section 3.01.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once a notice of redemption is delivered to the Holders in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date, at the redemption price, subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent specified in the applicable notice of redemption.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.
By 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the Redemption Date, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.
If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph with respect to a redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption is not so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date, until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer will issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note of the same series and equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
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Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.
(a) 2031 Notes.
(1) At any time prior to September 15, 2027, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2031 Notes issued under this Indenture (including Additional 2031 Notes) at a redemption price of 105.625% of the principal amount of the 2031 Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date, in an amount not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(I) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2031 Notes issued on the date of this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding 2031 Notes held by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries); and
(II) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such Equity Offering.
(2) On and after September 15, 2027, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the 2031 Notes (including Additional 2031 Notes) at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the 2031 Notes redeemed to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 15 of the years indicated below:
| Year |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2027 |
102.813 | % | ||
| 2028 |
101.406 | % | ||
| 2029 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
(3) Prior to September 15, 2027, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or part of the 2031 Notes (including Additional 2031 Notes) at a redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount thereof, plus the Applicable Premium for the 2031 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
(b) 2034 Notes.
(1) At any time prior to September 15, 2028, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2034 Notes issued under this Indenture (including Additional 2034 Notes) at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount of the 2034 Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date, in an amount not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(I) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2034 Notes issued on the date of this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding 2031 Notes held by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries); and
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(II) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such Equity Offering.
(2) On and after September 15, 2028, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the 2034 Notes (including Additional 2034 Notes) at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the 2034 Notes redeemed to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 15 of the years indicated below:
| Year |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2028 |
102.938 | % | ||
| 2029 |
101.469 | % | ||
| 2030 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
(3) Prior to September 15, 2028, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or part of the 2034 Notes (including Additional 2034 Notes) at a redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount thereof, plus the Applicable Premium for the 2034 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
(c) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. In addition, if such optional redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the related notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived (provided that in no event shall such Redemption Date be delayed to a date later than 60 days after the date on which such notice was sent), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date, as so delayed.
(d) The Notes of each series are also redeemable as provided in Section 4.09(d).
(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
(f) Nothing in this Indenture shall limit the right of the Issuer or its Affiliates to acquire Notes by means other than redemption, including by means of tender offers, exchange offers, open market purchases or privately negotiated purchases.
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Section 3.08 Special Mandatory Redemption.
(a) If (i) the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition does not occur on or before May 5, 2026 (the “SMR Outside Date”) or (ii) prior thereto, the Issuer notifies the Trustee in writing that the Arrangement Agreement has been terminated or the Issuer will not pursue the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition or has determined in its sole discretion that the Parkland Acquisition cannot or is not reasonably likely to be completed by the SMR Outside Date (the earlier of the date of delivery of such notice described in clause (ii) and the SMR Outside Date, the “Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger Date”), the Issuer will be required to redeem all Notes then outstanding (such redemption, the “Special Mandatory Redemption”) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (as defined below) (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”). For purposes of the foregoing, consummation of the Parkland Acquisition refers to the occurrence of the “Effective Time,” as defined in the Arrangement Agreement, dated May 4, 2025 (the “Arrangement Agreement”) among the Issuer, Parkland and certain of their respective affiliates, as such Arrangement Agreement shall be amended, modified or waived from time to time.
(b) In the event that the Issuer becomes obligated to redeem the Notes pursuant to the Special Mandatory Redemption, the Issuer shall promptly, and in any event not more than ten Business Days after the Special Mandatory Redemption Trigger Date deliver notice to the Trustee of the Special Mandatory Redemption and the date upon which the Notes will be redeemed (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date,” which date shall be no earlier than the third Business Day or later than the twentieth Business Day following the date of such notice) together with a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption and written instructions to the Trustee instructing the Trustee to deliver such notice to each registered Holder of Notes. The Trustee shall then promptly mail, or deliver electronically if such Notes are held by any Depositary (including, without limitation, DTC) in accordance with such Depositary’s customary procedures, such notice of Special Mandatory Redemption to each registered Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.
The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
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Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Issuer shall maintain in the continental United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the continental United States for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 4.03 Reports.
(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes of a series are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish (whether through hard copy or internet access) to the Holders of Notes or post on its website, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports as a non-accelerated filer; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports.
All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports, but shall not be required to comply with Rules 3-09, 3-10, 3-16 or Article 13 of Regulation S-X. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements by the Issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm. If, at any time the Issuer is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Issuer will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Issuer were required to file those reports with the SEC.
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(b) Any and all Defaults or Events of Default arising from a failure to furnish in a timely manner any information required by this Section 4.03 shall be deemed cured (and the Issuer shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 4.03) upon furnishing such information as contemplated by this Section 4.03 (but without regard to the date on which such financial statement or report is so furnished); provided that such cure shall not otherwise affect the rights of the Holders under Article 6 if the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, the Notes have been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such acceleration has not been rescinded or canceled prior to such cure.
(c) To the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the Holders of the Notes, securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(d) The Issuer will be deemed to have furnished each report required by this Section 4.03 to the Holders of the Notes if it has filed such report with the SEC using the EDGAR filing system and such report is publicly available.
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (starting with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025), an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).
(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer and the Guarantors will deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days of any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that they will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
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Section 4.06 Additional Guarantees.
If, after the date of this Indenture, any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not already a Guarantor guarantees or becomes a co-obligor in respect of any Debt of either the Issuer or of any Guarantor under a Credit Facility, then the applicable Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto and delivering it to the Trustee within 20 Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed or became a co-obligor in respect of such Debt. Notwithstanding the preceding, any Note Guarantee of a Subsidiary that was incurred pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the terms, including the release provisions, described in Article 10 hereto.
Section 4.07 Limitation on Liens.
The Issuer will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any property or assets, whether owned or leased on the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired, to secure any of its Debt or Debt of any other Person (other than the Notes issued hereunder), without in any such case making effective provision whereby all of the Notes outstanding hereunder shall be secured equally and ratably with, or prior to, such Debt so long as such Debt shall be so secured.
This restriction does not apply to:
(1) Permitted Liens;
(2) any Lien upon any property or assets of the Issuer or any Subsidiary in existence on the date of this Indenture or created pursuant to an “after-acquired property” clause or similar term or provided for pursuant to agreements existing on such date;
(3) any Lien upon any property or assets created at the time of acquisition of such property or assets by the Issuer or any Subsidiary or within one year after such time to secure all or a portion of the purchase price for such property or assets or Debt incurred to finance such purchase price, whether such Debt was incurred prior to, at the time of or within one year after the date of such acquisition;
(4) any Lien upon any property or assets existing thereon at the time of the acquisition thereof by the Issuer or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Lien only encumbers the property or assets so acquired;
(5) any Lien upon any property or assets of a Person existing thereon at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary by acquisition, merger or otherwise; provided, however, that such Lien only encumbers the property or assets of such Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary;
(6) any Lien upon any property or assets to secure all or part of the cost of construction, development, repair or improvements thereon or to secure Debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within one year after completion of such construction, development, repair or improvements or the commencement of full operations thereof, whichever is later, to provide funds for any such purpose;
(7) any Lien imposed by law or order as a result of any proceeding before any court or regulatory body that is being contested in good faith, and Liens which secure a judgment or other court-ordered award or settlement as to which the Issuer or the applicable Subsidiary has not exhausted its appellate rights;
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(8) any Lien upon any additions, improvements, replacements, repairs, fixtures, appurtenances or component parts thereof attaching to or required to be attached to property or assets pursuant to the terms of any mortgage, pledge agreement, security agreement or other similar instrument creating a Lien upon such property or assets permitted by clauses (1) through (7) above;
(9) any extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings, refundings or replacements) of any Lien, in whole or in part, referred to in clauses (1) through (8), inclusive, above; provided, however, that the principal amount of Debt secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement (plus in each case the aggregate amount of premiums, other payments, costs and expenses required to be paid or incurred in connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement); provided, further, however, that such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or replacement Lien shall be limited to all or a part of the property (including improvements, alterations and repairs on such property) subject to the encumbrance so extended, renewed, refinanced, refunded or replaced (plus improvements, alterations and repairs on such property);
(10) any Lien resulting from the deposit of moneys or evidence of indebtedness in trust for the purpose of defeasing or discharging Debt of the Issuer or any Subsidiary;
(11) any Lien on (i) cash and cash equivalents, (ii) any commodity account, deposit account or securities account maintained with or for the benefit of a counterparty to a Permitted Swap Agreement and any assets credited to such accounts and the proceeds of any of the foregoing and (iii) any contracts evidencing Permitted Swap Agreements, including rights to payment hereunder and the proceeds of any of the foregoing, in each case securing obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary under Permitted Swap Agreements; or
(12) any Lien granted on, or assignments or sales of, accounts receivable or other rights to payment and related assets in connection with Securitization Transactions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer may, and may permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any property or assets to secure its Debt or Debt of any Person (other than the Notes) that is not excepted by clauses (1) through (12), inclusive, above without securing the Notes issued under this Indenture, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Debt then outstanding secured by such Lien and all similar Liens, together with all Attributable Indebtedness from Sale-Leaseback Transactions, as defined below (excluding Sale-Leaseback Transactions permitted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, of the first paragraph of Section 4.08 hereof) does not exceed the greater of (a) $1,500.0 million, or, upon and subject to the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition, $2,455.5 million, and (b) 20% of the Issuer’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined at the time of incurrence of such Debt.
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Section 4.08 Restrictions on Sale-Leasebacks.
The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, engage in the sale or transfer by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of any property or assets to a Person (other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) and the taking back by the Issuer or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, of a lease of such property or assets (a “Sale-Leaseback Transaction”), unless:
(1) the Sale-Leaseback Transaction occurs within one year from the date of completion of the acquisition of the property or assets subject thereto or the date of the completion of construction, development or substantial repair or improvement or commencement of full operations on such property or assets, whichever is later;
(2) the Sale-Leaseback Transaction involves a lease for a period, including renewals, of not more than three years;
(3) the Issuer or such Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Debt secured by a Lien on the property or assets subject thereto in a principal amount equal to or exceeding the Attributable Indebtedness from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction without equally and ratably securing the Notes issued under this Indenture; or
(4) the Issuer or such Subsidiary, within a one-year period after such Sale-Leaseback Transaction, applies or causes to be applied an amount not less than the Attributable Indebtedness from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction to (A) the prepayment, repayment, redemption, reduction or retirement of Pari Passu Debt of the Issuer or a Subsidiary, or (B) the expenditure or expenditures for property or assets used or to be used in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer may, and may permit any of its Subsidiaries to, effect any Sale-Leaseback Transaction that is not excepted by clauses (1) through (4), inclusive, above; provided that the Attributable Indebtedness from the Sale-Leaseback Transaction, together with the aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Debt (other than the Notes) secured by Liens upon any property or assets of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries not excepted by clauses (1) through (12), inclusive, of the second paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof, do not exceed the greater of (a) $1,500.0 million, or, upon and subject to the consummation of the Parkland Acquisition, $2,455.5 million, and (b) 20% of the Issuer’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined at the time of incurrence.
Section 4.09 Change of Control.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control with respect to a series of Notes, the Issuer shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder of Notes of that series to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes of such series at a purchase price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to, but excluding, the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer will send a notice to each Holder of Notes of such series describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:
(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.09 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;
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(2) the purchase price and the Change of Control Payment Date specified in the notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent;
(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;
(4) that, unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;
(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile, electronic transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and
(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes of the same series and equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The Issuer shall comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and other securities laws and regulations. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.09, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.09 by virtue of such compliance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes, the Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer as a result of any Qualified Retail Asset Sale.
(b) Promptly following the expiration of a Change of Control Offer, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer. Promptly thereafter on the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will:
(1) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and
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(2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Issuer.
The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, to the extent the Notes are in global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note of the same series and equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
The provisions of this Section 4.09 that require the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.09, the Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control with respect to a series of Notes if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer with respect to such Notes in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.09 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer; (2) notice of redemption with respect to all outstanding Notes of that series has been given pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price; or (3) in connection with, or in contemplation of, any publicly announced Change of Control, the Issuer has made an offer to purchase (an “Alternate Offer”) any and all Notes of that series properly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Payment and has purchased all Notes properly tendered in accordance with the terms of such Alternate Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.
(d) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a series accept a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer or other tender offer, and the Issuer purchases all of the Notes of that series held by such Holders, the Issuer will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer or other tender offer, to redeem all of the Notes of that series that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offer or other tender offer price, as applicable, plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offer or other tender offer price, as applicable, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of the Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
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ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
(a) The Issuer may not: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving entity); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:
(1) either:
(A) the Issuer is the surviving entity; or
(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture hereto or other appropriate agreement;
(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; or
(4) if the Issuer is not the surviving entity, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture or other appropriate agreement (if any) comply with this Indenture and all conditions precedent therein relating to such transaction have been satisfied;
provided that clause (3) shall not apply to any sale of assets of a Subsidiary to the Issuer or another Subsidiary or the merger or consolidation of a Subsidiary into any Subsidiary or the Issuer.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes, any Qualified Retail Asset Sale shall not constitute a sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
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(c) Notwithstanding Section 5.01(a), the Issuer is permitted to reorganize as any other form of entity in accordance with the procedures established in this Indenture; provided that:
(1) the reorganization involves the conversion (by merger, sale, legal conversion, contribution or exchange of assets or otherwise) of the Issuer into a form of entity other than a limited partnership formed under Delaware law;
(2) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
(3) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture hereto or other appropriate agreement;
(4) immediately after such reorganization no Default or Event of Default exists;
(5) such reorganization is not materially adverse to the Holders of Notes (for purposes of this clause (5), it is stipulated that such reorganization shall not be considered materially adverse to the Holders of Notes solely because the successor or survivor of such reorganization (A) is subject to federal or state income taxation as an entity or (B) is considered to be an “includible corporation” of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(b)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any similar state or local law); and
(6) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such reorganization and such supplemental indenture or other appropriate agreement (if any) comply with this Indenture and all conditions precedent therein relating to such transaction have been satisfied.
Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets, of the Issuer in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof and in which the Issuer is not the surviving entity, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuer is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to “the Issuer” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Issuer), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter (except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s properties or assets), the Issuer will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
Each of the following is an “Event of Default” with respect to each series of Notes:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes of that series;
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(2) default in the payment when due (at stated maturity, upon optional or mandatory redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes of that series;
(3) failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor to (a) make a Change of Control Offer with respect to that series when required, or to consummate a purchase of such Notes when required pursuant to the terms described, in Section 4.09 hereof or (b) comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof; provided that, with respect to the failures described in clause (b), such failure will not constitute an Event of Default for 30 days if such failure is capable of cure;
(4) failure by the Issuer for 180 days after notice by the Trustee or Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of Notes of that series then outstanding to comply with the provisions of Section 4.03 hereof;
(5) failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after written notice by the Trustee or Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of Notes of that series then outstanding to comply with any of its other agreements in this Indenture;
(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed of the Issuer or any Guarantor (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any Guarantor), whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:
(A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or
(B) results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior to its express maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100.0 million or more; provided, however, that if (i) any such Payment Default is cured or waived, (ii) any such acceleration is rescinded, or (iii) such indebtedness is repaid in each case during the 10 Business Day period commencing upon the end of any applicable grace period for such Payment Default or the occurrence of such acceleration, as applicable, any Default or Event of Default (but not any acceleration of the Notes) caused by such Payment Default or acceleration shall automatically be rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment, decree or applicable law;
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(7) the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case,
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a custodian of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary; or
(C) orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary; and
(9) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee of such Notes is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its Obligations under its Note Guarantee of such Notes.
An Event of Default with respect to one series of Notes may not constitute an Event of Default with respect to the other series of Notes.
Section 6.02 Acceleration.
In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or clause (8) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Issuer, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Notes of each series will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs with respect to either series of Notes and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of that series may declare, by notice in writing to the Issuer, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all Notes of that series to be due and payable immediately.
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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of a series by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of the Notes of that series, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes of that series and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium on, or the principal of, the Notes of that series.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs with respect to either series of Notes and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes of that series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes of that series or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes of either series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of either series by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of that series, waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to Notes of that series and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes of that series (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of either series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences with respect to Notes of that series, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of either series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it hereunder with respect to Notes of that series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.
A Holder of Notes of either series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:
(1) such Holder gives to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default with respect to that series is continuing;
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(2) Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of that series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee in its sole discretion against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(5) during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07 [Reserved].
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or clause (2) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes of the applicable series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured
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by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10 Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
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(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
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(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.
(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(h) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(i) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes of either series as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.
(j) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(k) In no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost profits, irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action arising in connection with this Indenture.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the TIA) after a Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.10 hereof.
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Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs with respect to either series of Notes and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will send to Holders of Notes of that series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note of either series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes of that series.
Section 7.06 [Reserved].
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity
(a) The Issuer will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
(b) The Issuer and the Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense which is found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the Trustee’s own negligence or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer will not relieve the Issuer or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuer or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
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(c) The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(d) To secure the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(8) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.
(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.
(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
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(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
Subject to Section 7.10 hereof, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
Section 7.11 Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 7.12 U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act (the “Patriot Act”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the Patriot Act.
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ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes of either series and the related Note Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02 with respect to the Notes of either series, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of that series (including the related Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes of that series (including the related Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under the Notes of that series, the related Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on the demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions, which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes of that series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;
(2) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes of that series concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) this Article 8.
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to either series of Notes, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released with respect to that series of Notes from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04,
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4.06, 4.07, 4.08 and 4.09 hereof, and the Guarantors will be released from their obligations with respect to the related Note Guarantees, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes of that series will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that the Notes of that series will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means with respect to either series of Notes that, with respect to the outstanding Notes of that series and related Note Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes of that series and the related Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to either series of Notes, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(6) inclusive hereof will not constitute Events of Default with respect to Notes of that series.
Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to a series of Notes under either Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof:
(1) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Notes of that series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding Notes of that series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date, as applicable;
(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:
(A) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Beneficial Owners of the outstanding Notes of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
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(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Beneficial Owners of the outstanding Notes of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default or Event of Default with respect to that series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(6) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes of that series over the other creditors of the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or others; and
(7) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant series of Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuer will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
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Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06 Repayment to the Issuer.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or, if then held by the Issuer, shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease.
Section 8.07 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes of the relevant series and the related Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Notes following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder of Notes:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(3) to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s assets, as applicable;
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(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder;
(5) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(6) to conform the text of this Indenture or a notation of a Note Guarantee to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such text of this Indenture or such notation of a Note Guarantee was intended to reflect such provision of such “Description of Notes”, which intent shall be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;
(7) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date of this Indenture;
(8) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a notation of a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes or to reflect the addition or release of a Note Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture;
(9) to secure the Notes and/or the Note Guarantees; or
(10) to provide for the reorganization of the Issuer as any other form of entity, in accordance with the provisions described in Section 5.01 hereof.
Upon the request of the Issuer, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Section 9.01 and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of each series then outstanding and affected thereby (including Additional Notes of such series, if any) (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Section 6.04 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of each series then outstanding and affected thereby (including Additional Notes of such series, if any) (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.
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Upon the request of the Issuer, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer will send to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to send such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes (other than provisions relating to minimum required notice of optional redemption or to Section 4.09 hereof);
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;
(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes of a series by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of, principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes (other than as permitted by clause (7) below);
(7) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 4.09 hereof);
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(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or
(9) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.
Section 9.03 [Reserved].
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder; except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 9.02.
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE 10
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01 Guarantee.
(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that:
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(1) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.
(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of the foregoing to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.
(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Article 10, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Article 10. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Article 10.
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Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Each Guarantor, and, by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.
To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.
If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the notation of Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a notation of Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
Section 10.04 Releases.
(a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of Capital Stock of such Guarantor) or the Person acquiring the properties or assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Guarantor) will be automatically released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that following such sale or disposition, the Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Issuer.
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(b) At such time as any Guarantor ceases to guarantee or be a co-obligor in respect of any other Debt of the Issuer or of a Guarantor, the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor shall be automatically released; provided, however, that if, at any time following such release, that Guarantor incurs a guarantee of, or becomes a co-obligor in respect of, any Debt of the Issuer or a Guarantor, then such Guarantor shall be required to provide a Note Guarantee as provided in Section 4.06 hereof.
(c) Upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to a series of Notes in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to a series of Notes in accordance with Article 11 hereof, each Guarantor will be automatically released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee with respect to such Notes.
(d) Upon the first day on which the Notes of each series then outstanding achieve an Investment Grade Rating, each Guarantor will be automatically released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee.
Upon delivery by the Issuer to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that a Note Guarantee has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.
The release of a Guarantor from its Note Guarantee pursuant to this Section 10.04 shall also release such Guarantor from all of its other obligations under this Indenture.
Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.04 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes of a series issued hereunder (except as to surviving rights of transfer or exchange of such Notes and as otherwise specified herein), when:
(1) either:
(A) all Notes of that series that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all Notes of that series that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the sending of a notice of redemption or otherwise and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in
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U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of that series not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal and premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of fixed maturity or redemption;
(2) the Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to that series;
(3) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes of that series at fixed maturity or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be; and
(4) in the case of a deposit of non-callable Government Securities or a combination of cash in U.S. Dollars and non-callable Government Securities, an opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or independent public accountants that the amounts in each deposit will be sufficient to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding Notes of that series on stated date for payment or the applicable Redemption Date.
In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to such satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money or Government Securities have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 8.06 and 11.02 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes of the relevant series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply such money in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Not Applicable.
This Indenture shall not be subject to or governed by the provisions of the TIA.
Section 12.02 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in person by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, or electronic transmission (receipt confirmed) to the others’ address:
If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:
Sunoco LP
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75225
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
If to the Trustee:
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
1255 Corporate Drive, 6th Floor
Irving, Texas 75038
Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services
The Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery. When the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes, all notices will be deemed to be given when sent pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.
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Any notice or communication to a Holder of a Definitive Note will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. When the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes, all notices or communications to the Holders will be sent pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary and will be deemed to be given when sent pursuant to such procedures. Failure to mail or send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise sent in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Issuer sends a notice or communication to Holders, it will send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
The Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice, instruction or other communication by electronic transmission (including by email, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes, other than with respect to the Trustee’s authentication of Notes. The Issuer assumes all risks arising out of the use of electronic signatures and electronic methods to send communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized communication, and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties.
Section 12.03 [Reserved].
Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to furnish such Opinion of Counsel in connection with its request for the Trustee to authenticate the Initial Notes on the date of this Indenture or in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery of such Guarantor of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E hereto.
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Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture must include:
(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Equity Holders.
None of the Trustee, the General Partner or any past, present or future director, officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or unit holder or other owner of Equity Interests of the Trustee, the General Partner, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.
Section 12.08 Governing Law.
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.
Section 12.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 12.10 Successors.
All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors.
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Section 12.11 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.12 Counterpart Originals.
This Indenture may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Indenture by telecopier, facsimile, email or other electronic transmission (i.e., a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.
Section 12.13 Evidence of Action by Holders.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with procedures approved by the Trustee, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Notes evidenced by a Global Note, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.
Section 12.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
[Signatures on following pages]
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SIGNATURES
Dated as of the date first written above.
| ISSUER: | ||
| Sunoco LP | ||
| By: Sunoco GP LLC, its General Partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Pages to Purchase Agreement (Notes)]
| GUARANTORS: | ||
| Sunoco Finance Corp. | ||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Sunoco, LLC | ||
| Sunoco Midstream Holdings LLC | ||
| Sunoco Retail LLC | ||
| By: Sunoco LP, the sole member of each of Sunoco, LLC, Sunoco Midstream Holdings LLC and Sunoco Retail LLC | ||
| By: Sunoco GP LLC, the general partner of Sunoco LP | ||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| Aloha Petroleum LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Brian A. Hand | |
| Name: Brian A. Hand | ||
| Title: President | ||
| Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. | ||
| By: the Board of Directors | ||
| /s/ Robert S. Hood | ||
| Robert S. Hood | ||
| /s/ Brian A. Hand | ||
| Brian A. Hand | ||
| /s/ Edward S. Pak | ||
| Edward S. Pak | ||
| Sunmarks, LLC | ||
| By: Sunoco Retail LLC, the sole member of Sunmarks, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| Sunoco Midstream LLC | ||
| By: | Sunoco Midstream Holdings LLC, the sole member of Sunoco Midstream LLC | |
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| NuStar Energy L.P. | ||
| NuStar Logistics, L.P. | ||
| By: | NuStar GP, LLC, the ultimate general partner of each of NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar Logistics, L.P. | |
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| NuStar Pipeline Partners L.P. | ||
| NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership L.P. | ||
| By: | NuStar Pipeline Company LLC, the general partner of each of NuStar Pipeline Partners L.P. and NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership L.P. | |
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| NuStar Permian Holdings, LLC | ||
| By: | NuStar Logistics, L.P., its sole member | |
| By: | Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., its general partner | |
| By: | NuStar GP, LLC, its general partner | |
| By: | /s/ Joseph Kim | |
| Name: Joseph Kim | ||
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| TRUSTEE | ||
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Herberger | |
| Name: | Michael Herberger | |
| Title: | Vice President | |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
EXHIBIT A-1 (Form of 2031 Note)
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Face of Note]
CUSIP No. ____
ISIN No. ____
5.625% Senior Notes due 2031
| No. ______ | $___________ |
SUNOCO LP
promises to pay to _______________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ________________ DOLLARS [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on the attached Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note]1 on March 15, 2031.
Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15, beginning on March 15, 2026.
Record Dates: March 1 and September 1.
[Signature page follows.]
| 1 | This phrase should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
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| SUNOCO LP | ||
| By: | Sunoco GP LLC, | |
| its general partner | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
This is one of the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2031 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: _____________, 20____ | ||
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[Back of Note]
5.625% Senior Notes due 2031
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
(1) Interest. Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note at 5.625% per annum. The Issuer will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2026 or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. The Issuer will pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(2) Method of Payment. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note to the Persons who are registered Holders of the Notes at the close of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Holders of Definitive Notes must surrender their Notes to the Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any, due at maturity. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose within the continental United States, or, at the option of the Issuer, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, and interest, premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes for which the Holders of $5.0 million or more in principal amount of which have provided wire transfer instructions to an account in the United States to the Issuer or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
(3) Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
(4) Indenture. The Issuer issued this Note under an Indenture dated as of September 18, 2025 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, as one of the “2031 Notes” referred to therein (and are herein referred to as the “Notes”). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the
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Indenture as it relates to the Notes, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer. The Notes were initially issued in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000.0 million on the date of the Indenture. Additional 2031 Notes may be issued thereunder subject to the terms of the Indenture.
(5) Optional Redemption.
(a) At any time prior to September 15, 2027, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 105.625% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), in an amount not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(i) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued on the date of the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries); and
(ii) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such Equity Offering.
(b) On and after September 15, 2027, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes (including Additional 2031 Notes) at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 15 of the years indicated below:
| Year |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2027 |
102.813 | % | ||
| 2028 |
101.406 | % | ||
| 2029 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
(c) Prior to September 15, 2027, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or part of the Notes (including Additional 2031 Notes) at a redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount thereof, plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
(d) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer or other tender offer, and the Issuer purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuer will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer or other tender offer, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the
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Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offer or other tender offer price, as applicable, plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offer or other tender offer price, as applicable, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of the Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
(e) Any such optional redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. In addition, if such optional redemption is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the related notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived (provided that in no event shall such Redemption Date be delayed to a date later than 60 days after the date on which such notice was sent), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date as so delayed.
(f) Unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.
(6) Notice of Redemption. Except as set forth in paragraph 5(d) above, notice of redemption will be sent at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture with respect to the Notes. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.
(7) Repurchase at the Option of Holder. If there is a Change of Control with respect to the Notes, the Issuer may be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control with respect to the Notes, the Issuer will send a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.
(8) Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of the Notes may be registered and the Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or similar governmental charges required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for
A-1-5
redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
(9) Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
(10) Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional 2031 Notes, if any), and any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional 2031 Notes, if any). Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented for certain purposes as described in the Indenture.
(11) Defaults and Remedies. If any Event of Default occurs with respect to the Notes and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Issuer, as described in the Indenture, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Notes, will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to the Notes. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium on, or the principal of, the Notes.
(12) Trustee Dealings with the Issuer. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuer or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
(13) No Recourse Against Others. None of the Trustee, the General Partner or any past, present or future director, officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or unit holder or other owner of Equity Interests of the Trustee, the General Partner, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.
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(14) Authentication. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
(15) Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
(16) CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
(17) Guarantees. The Guarantors have provided the Note Guarantees pursuant to Article 10 of the Indenture that are evidenced by the attached Notation of Guarantee.
(18) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.
The Issuer will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
Sunoco LP
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75225
Attention: Treasurer, Senior Vice President – Finance
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Assignment Form
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
| (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: |
| |
| (Insert assignee’s legal name) | ||
|
| ||
| (Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||
|
| ||
| (Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code) | ||
and irrevocably appoint _______________________________________________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: ____________________
| Your Signature: |
| |
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||
Signature Guarantee*:
| * | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
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Option of Holder to Elect Purchase
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
☐ Section 4.09
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$___________________
Date: ________________
| Your Signature: |
| |
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||
| Tax Identification No.: |
|
Signature Guarantee*: _________________
| * | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
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Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note*
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase) |
Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Custodian |
| * | This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
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EXHIBIT A-2 (Form of 2034 Note)
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Face of Note]
CUSIP No. ____
ISIN No. ____
5.875% Senior Notes due 2034
| No. ______ | $___________ |
SUNOCO LP
promises to pay to _______________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ________________ DOLLARS [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on the attached Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note]2 on March 15, 2034.
Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15, beginning on March 15, 2026.
Record Dates: March 1 and September 1.
[Signature page follows.]
| 2 | This phrase should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
A-2-1
| SUNOCO LP | ||
| By: | Sunoco GP LLC, | |
| its general partner | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
This is one of the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2034 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: _____________, 20____ | ||
A-2-2
[Back of Note]
5.875% Senior Notes due 2034
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
(1) Interest. Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note at 5.875% per annum. The Issuer will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2026 or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. The Issuer will pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(2) Method of Payment. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note to the Persons who are registered Holders of the Notes at the close of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Holders of Definitive Notes must surrender their Notes to the Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any, due at maturity. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose within the continental United States, or, at the option of the Issuer, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, and interest, premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes for which the Holders of $5.0 million or more in principal amount of which have provided wire transfer instructions to an account in the United States to the Issuer or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
(3) Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
(4) Indenture. The Issuer issued this Note under an Indenture dated as of September 18, 2025 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, as one of the “2034 Notes” referred to therein (and are herein referred to as the “Notes”). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the
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Indenture as it relates to the Notes, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer. The Notes were initially issued in an aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million on the date of the Indenture. Additional 2034 Notes may be issued thereunder subject to the terms of the Indenture.
(5) Optional Redemption.
(a) At any time prior to September 15, 2028, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), in an amount not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(i) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued on the date of the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries); and
(ii) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such Equity Offering.
(b) On and after September 15, 2028, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes (including Additional 2034 Notes) at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 15 of the years indicated below:
| Year |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2028 |
102.938 | % | ||
| 2029 |
101.469 | % | ||
| 2030 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
(c) Prior to September 15, 2028, the Issuer may, on one or more occasions, redeem all or part of the Notes (including Additional 2034 Notes) at a redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount thereof, plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
(d) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer or other tender offer, and the Issuer purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuer will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer or other tender offer, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the
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Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offer or other tender offer price, as applicable, plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment or Alternate Offer or other tender offer price, as applicable, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of the Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date).
(e) Any such optional redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. In addition, if such optional redemption is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the related notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived (provided that in no event shall such Redemption Date be delayed to a date later than 60 days after the date on which such notice was sent), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date as so delayed.
(f) Unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.
(6) Notice of Redemption. Except as set forth in paragraph 5(d) above, notice of redemption will be sent at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture with respect to the Notes. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.
(7) Repurchase at the Option of Holder. If there is a Change of Control with respect to the Notes, the Issuer may be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control with respect to the Notes, the Issuer will send a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.
(8) Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of the Notes may be registered and the Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or similar governmental charges required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for
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redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
(9) Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
(10) Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional 2034 Notes, if any), and any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional 2034 Notes, if any). Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented for certain purposes as described in the Indenture.
(11) Defaults and Remedies. If any Event of Default occurs with respect to the Notes and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Issuer, as described in the Indenture, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Notes, will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to the Notes. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium on, or the principal of, the Notes.
(12) Trustee Dealings with the Issuer. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuer or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
(13) No Recourse Against Others. None of the Trustee, the General Partner or any past, present or future director, officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or unit holder or other owner of Equity Interests of the Trustee, the General Partner, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.
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(14) Authentication. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
(15) Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
(16) CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
(17) Guarantees. The Guarantors have provided the Note Guarantees pursuant to Article 10 of the Indenture that are evidenced by the attached Notation of Guarantee.
(18) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.
The Issuer will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
Sunoco LP
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75225
Attention: Treasurer, Senior Vice President – Finance
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Assignment Form
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
| (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: |
| |
| (Insert assignee’s legal name) | ||
|
| ||
| (Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||
|
| ||
| (Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code) | ||
and irrevocably appoint _______________________________________________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: ____________________
| Your Signature: |
| |
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||
Signature Guarantee*:
| * | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
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Option of Holder to Elect Purchase
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
☐ Section 4.09
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$___________________
Date: ______________
| Your Signature: |
| |
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) | ||
| Tax Identification No.: |
|
Signature Guarantee*: __________________
| * | Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). |
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Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note*
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase) |
Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Custodian |
| * | This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. |
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Sunoco LP
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 400 D
allas, Texas 75225
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
1255 Corporate Drive, 6th Floor
Irving, Texas 75038
| Re: | [5.625% Senior Notes due 2031] [5.875% Senior Notes due 2034] (the “Notes”) |
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2025 (the “Indenture”), among Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
(the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $_____________in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to _____________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1.☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
2.☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was
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executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
3. ☐ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
or
(b) ☐ such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof; or
(c) ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;
or
(d) ☐ [reserved].
4. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
(a) ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
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(b) ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(c) ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit.
| [Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Dated: ____________________
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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
| 1. | The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following: |
[CHECK ONE of (a) or (b)]
| (a) | ☐ a beneficial interest in the: |
| (i) | ☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP [____]), or |
| (ii) | ☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [____]), or |
| (b) | ☐ a Restricted Definitive Note, |
| 2. | After the Transfer the Transferee will hold: |
[CHECK ONE OF]
| (a) | ☐ a beneficial interest in the: |
| (i) | ☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP [____]), or |
| (ii) | ☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [____]), or |
| (iii) | ☐ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP [____]); or |
| (b) | ☐ a Restricted Definitive Note; or |
| (c) | ☐ an Unrestricted Definitive Note, |
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Sunoco LP
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75225
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
1255 Corporate Drive, 6th Floor
Irving, Texas 75038
| Re: | [5.625% Senior Notes due 2031] [5.875% Senior Notes due 2034] (the “Notes”) |
(CUSIP____)
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2025 (the “Indenture”), among Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
(the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted
Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note.
(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
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(c) [Reserved]
(d) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes.
(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit.
| [Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Dated: ___________________
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EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE]
For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2025 (the “Indenture”), among Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, premium, if any, interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantees. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
| [Name of Guarantor(s)] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Dated: ___________________
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EXHIBIT E
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]
This Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of _____________, 20__, is among _________ (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), Sunoco LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Issuer has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of September 18, 2025, providing for the issuance of its (i) 5.625% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) and (ii) 5.875% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes” and, together with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:
1. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
2. Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.
3. No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or unit holder or other owner of Equity Interests of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
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5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Supplemental Indenture by telecopier, facsimile, email or other electronic transmission (i.e., a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.
6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
7. The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Issuer.
(Signature page follows.)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.
| [Guaranteeing Subsidiary] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| SUNOCO LP | ||
| By: | Sunoco GP LLC, its general partner | |
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [Existing Guarantors] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | ||
| As Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
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