Tetra Technologies Inc S-3, filed May 12, 2025
Tetra Technologies Inc (TTI)
S-3
2025-05-12
View Original
Added on
October 18, 2026
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2025
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
TETRA Technologies, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 74-2148293 | |||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
| 24955 Interstate 45 North The Woodlands, Texas 77380 (281) 367-1983 | Alicia P. Boston General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer TETRA Technologies, Inc. 24955 Interstate 45 North The Woodlands, Texas 77380 (281) 367-1983 | |||||||
| (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices) | (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) | |||||||
Copy to:
David P. Oelman
Alexandra M. Lewis
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
845 Texas Avenue, Suite 4700
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 758-2222
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined in light of market conditions and other factors.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | ||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
| 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated May 12, 2025
PROSPECTUS
$400,000,000
TETRA Technologies, Inc.
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
UNITS
By this prospectus, we may from time to time offer and sell in one or more offerings any combination of the following securities:
•shares of common stock;
•shares of preferred stock, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities or common stock;
•senior debt securities, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock;
•subordinated debt securities, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock;
•warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, rights or units;
•rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units; and/or
•units consisting of any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or rights.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the securities that we actually offer, including the offering prices. You should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any information under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” before you invest in any of these securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.
We may sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers, to other purchasers and/or through agents. Supplements to this prospectus will specify the names of any underwriters or agents.
Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TTI.” The last reported sale price of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 9, 2025 was $2.97 per share.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in connection with one or more offerings from time to time.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities offered by us in that offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, you should rely on the information provided in the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. The registration statement filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more details about the matters discussed in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement, together with the additional information described below under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer of the securities covered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and pricing supplement and any other document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Under no circumstances should the delivery to you of this prospectus create any implication that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time after the date of this prospectus.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “TETRA,” “TETRA Technologies,” “registrant,” “our company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar references mean TETRA Technologies, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights and units collectively as the “securities.”
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, other than any portions of the respective filings that were furnished (pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of current reports on Form 8-K or other applicable SEC rules) rather than filed:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2025;
•the information specifically incorporated by reference into such Annual Report on Form 10-K from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 24, 2025;
•our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025;
•our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 25, 2025; and
•the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 7, 1997, including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, including Exhibit 4.5 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2025.
All documents that we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement with the SEC, and until our offerings hereunder are completed will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will be a part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of the document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement that is modified or superseded will not constitute a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings, unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, upon written or oral request and at no cost. Requests should be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
TETRA Technologies, Inc.
24955 Interstate 45 North
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
(281) 367-1983
Attn: Investor Relations
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, that registers the issuance and sale of the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
We file annual, quarterly, and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Such reports, proxy statements and other information, including the Registration Statement, and exhibits and schedules thereto, are available to the public through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
General information about us, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, are available free of charge through our website at http://www.onetetra.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein may contain certain statements (other than statements of historical fact) that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning such things as our level of capital, cash flow, capital expenditures, current debt and equity market conditions, tax impacts, technological systems, insurance coverage, alternative suppliers, sales levels, personnel, regulatory requirements, intellectual property, growth opportunities and oil and natural gas prices, and can generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “assumes,” “believes,” “budgets,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “schedules,” “seeks,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” and “would” or similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events, activities, expectations or outcomes. However, these are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements.
Where any forward-looking statement includes a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying such forward-looking statement, we caution that, while we believe these assumptions or bases to be reasonable and to be made in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from actual results, and the difference between assumed facts or bases and actual results could be material, depending on the circumstances. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected by such forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that the expectations in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurance that those expectations will be correct. Our operations are subject to numerous uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are outside our control and any of which could materially affect our results of operations and ultimately prove the statements we make to be inaccurate.
Factors that could cause our results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
•economic and operating conditions that are outside of our control, including the trading price of our common stock, and the supply, demand, and prices of oil and natural gas;
•the availability of adequate sources of capital to us;
•the effect of inflation on the cost of goods and services;
•the levels of competition we encounter;
•the activity levels of our customers;
•our operational performance;
•actions taken by our customers, suppliers, competitors and third-party operators;
•the availability of raw materials and labor at reasonable prices;
•risks related to the mineral resource and reserve estimates of lithium and bromine, the potential extraction of lithium and bromine from the leased acreage, the ability to obtain local governmental and regulatory approvals, the development of the assets including construction of lithium and bromine extraction plants, the economic viability thereof, the demand for such resources, and the timing and cost of such activities; the accuracy of our resources report, feasibility study and economic assessment regarding our lithium and bromine acreage;
•the ability to obtain a resources report that moves the remaining portion of our bromine and lithium inferred resources to a higher resource or reserve category;
•risks related to acquisitions and our growth strategy;
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•restrictions under our debt agreements and the consequences of any failure to comply with debt covenants;
•the effect and results of litigation, commercial disputes, regulatory matters, settlements, audits, assessments, and contingencies;
•potential regulatory initiatives to restrict hydraulic fracturing activities on federal lands as well as other actions to more stringently regulate certain aspects of oil and gas development such as air emissions and water discharges;
•risks related to our foreign operations;
•risks related to our non-controlling equity investments;
•information and operational technology risks, including the risk of cyberattack;
•our health, safety and environmental performance;
•the effects of consolidation on our customers and competitors;
•the ability to attract and retain skilled employees;
•changes in general economic conditions, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, pandemic (such as COVID-19), financial or political instability, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;
•acts of terrorism, war or political or civil unrest in the United States or elsewhere, including the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the conflict in the Israel-Gaza region and continued hostilities in the Middle East, maritime piracy attacks, changes in laws and regulations, or the imposition of economic or trade sanctions affecting international commercial transactions including legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associates with a new administration;
•statements regarding our beliefs, expectations, plans, goals, future events and performance and other statements that are not purely historical; and
•other risks and uncertainties under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, those set forth in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and as included in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
The risks and uncertainties referred to above are generally beyond our ability to control and we cannot predict all the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, and such variances may be material.
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements we may make, except as may be required by law.
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You also should carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Overview
TETRA Technologies, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is an energy services and solutions company with operations on six continents focused on developing environmentally conscious services and solutions that help make people’s lives better. In addition to providing products and services to the oil and gas industry and calcium chloride for diverse applications, TETRA is expanding into the low-carbon energy market with chemistry expertise, key mineral acreage, and global infrastructure, helping to meet the demand for sustainable energy in the twenty-first century. We have two reportable segments - Completion Fluids & Products Division and Water & Flowback Services Division.
Our Completion Fluids & Products Division manufactures and markets clear brine fluids, additives, and associated products and services to the oil and gas industry for use in well drilling, completion and workover operations in the United States and in certain countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Division also markets liquid and dry calcium chloride products manufactured at its production facilities or purchased from third-party suppliers to a variety of markets outside the energy industry, and markets TETRA PureFlow, an ultra-pure zinc bromide as well as TETRA PureFlow Plus, an ultra-pure zinc bromide/zinc chloride blend, to several battery technology companies.
Our Water & Flowback Services Division provides onshore oil and gas operators with comprehensive water management services. The Division also provides frac flowback, production well testing, and other associated services in many of the major oil and gas producing regions in the United States, as well as in oil and gas basins in certain countries in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.
We continue to pursue a long-term growth strategy that includes expanding our core businesses, domestically and internationally, through the introduction of new technology, organic growth, and accretive acquisitions.
Company Information
We were incorporated in Delaware in 1981. Our corporate headquarters are located at 24955 Interstate 45 North in The Woodlands, Texas 77380. Our phone number is (281) 367-1983 and our website may be accessed at www.onetetra.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus.
Securities We May Offer
We may offer an indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate number of warrants and rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, and such indeterminate number of units, either individually or in combination, up to $400,000,000, from time to time under this prospectus, together with the prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of any offering. We may also offer common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, rights and/or units upon the exercise of warrants. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or
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series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
•designation or classification;
•aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;
•maturity date, if applicable;
•original issue discount, if any;
•rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;
•redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any;
•conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and if applicable any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange;
•ranking;
•restrictive covenants, if any;
•voting or other rights, if any; and
•material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any.
The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities to or through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
•the names of those agents or underwriters;
•applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;
•details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and
•the net proceeds to us.
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RISK FACTORS
The securities to be offered by this prospectus may involve a high degree of risk. When considering an investment in any of the securities, you should consider carefully all of the risk factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. You should also consider similar information in any annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q or other document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. If applicable, we will include in any prospectus supplement a description of those significant factors that could make the offering described in the prospectus supplement speculative or risky.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus to fund:
•working capital needs;
•capital expenditures;
•purchases and redemptions of securities; and
•expenditures related to general corporate purposes, including possible future acquisitions.
The actual application of proceeds from the sale of any particular tranche of securities issued hereunder will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such tranche of securities. We may invest funds not required immediately for these purposes in marketable securities and short-term investments. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of our capital stock. You should refer to the applicable provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, our amended and restated bylaws and the documents that we have incorporated by reference for a complete statement of the terms and rights of our capital stock.
As of April 28, 2025, our authorized capital stock was 255,000,000 shares, which includes 250,000,000 shares authorized as common stock, $0.01 par value, and 5,000,000 shares authorized as preferred stock, $0.01 par value. As of April 28, 2025, we had 133,072,970 shares of common stock outstanding. There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding as of such date.
Common Stock
Listing. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TTI.”
Dividends. Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock, common stockholders may receive dividends when declared by the board of directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, stock or another form. However, our existing credit agreements contain covenants that restrict our ability to pay dividends.
Fully Paid. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the common stock offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement will be, fully paid and non-assessable upon issuance.
Voting Rights. Common stockholders are entitled to one vote in the election of directors and other matters for each share of common stock owned. Common stockholders are not entitled to preemptive or cumulative voting rights.
Other Rights. We will notify common stockholders of any stockholders’ meetings in accordance with applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our business, either voluntarily or not, common stockholders will share equally in the assets remaining after we pay our creditors and preferred stockholders. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. Our transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors can, without approval of our stockholders, issue one or more series or classes of preferred stock from time to time limited by the number of shares of preferred stock then authorized. The board can also determine the number of shares of each series and the rights, preferences and limitations of each series or class, including the dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and any liquidation preferences of any series or class of preferred stock and the terms and conditions of issue.
If we offer shares of preferred stock, the specific terms will be described in a prospectus supplement, including:
•the specific designation, number of shares, seniority and purchase price;
•any liquidation preference per share;
•any date of maturity;
•any redemption, repayment or sinking fund provisions;
•any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any such dividends will be payable (or the method by which such rates or dates will be determined);
•any voting rights;
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•if other than the currency of the United States, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which such preferred stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable;
•the method by which amounts in respect of such preferred stock may be calculated and any commodities, currencies or indices, or value, rate or price, relevant to such calculation;
•whether such preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable and, if so, the securities or rights into which such preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversions or exchanges will be effected, including conversion or exchange prices or rates, the conversion or exchange period and any other related provisions;
•the place or places where dividends and other payments on the preferred stock will be payable; and
•any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
All shares of preferred stock offered will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.
The transfer agent, registrar, and dividend disbursement agent for a series of preferred stock will be named in a prospectus supplement. The registrar for shares of preferred stock will send notices to stockholders of any meetings at which holders of the preferred stock have the right to elect directors or to vote on any other matter.
In some cases, the issuance of preferred stock could delay a change in control of us and make it more difficult to remove present management. Under certain circumstances, preferred stock could also restrict dividend payments to common stockholders.
Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Law
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may render more difficult possible takeover proposals to acquire control of us and make removal of our management more difficult. Below is a description of certain of these provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated bylaws.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes a class of undesignated preferred stock consisting of 5,000,000 shares. Preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, and our board of directors, without further approval of the stockholders, is authorized to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and rights applicable to each series of preferred stock. The purpose of authorizing the board of directors to determine such designations, powers, preferences, and rights is to allow such determinations to be made by the board of directors instead of the stockholders and to avoid the expense of, and eliminate delays associated with, a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and, under some circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of us.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes the board of directors to create and issue rights entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of our capital stock or other securities. The times at which and the terms upon which these rights are to be issued will be determined by the board of directors and set forth in the contracts or instruments that evidence such rights.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides that, subject to the rights of holders of any preferred stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and not by written consent.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, precludes the ability of our stockholders to call meetings of stockholders. Except as may be required by law and subject to the holders of rights of preferred stock, special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board or by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the board of directors.
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Our amended and restated bylaws contain specific procedures for stockholder nomination of directors and for stockholders to bring other business before a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions require advance notification that must be given in accordance with the provisions of our amended and restated bylaws. The procedures for stockholder nomination of directors and for stockholder proposals may have the effect of precluding a nomination for the election of directors or a stockholder proposal at a particular meeting if the required procedure is not followed.
Although Section 214 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or “DGCL,” provides that a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting for directors, our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, does not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, the holders of a majority of the votes of the outstanding shares of our common stock have the ability to elect all of the directors being elected at any annual meeting of stockholders.
As a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203, or the business combination statute, of the DGCL. Under the business combination statute of the DGCL, a corporation is generally restricted from engaging in a business combination (as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL) with an interested stockholder (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock) for a three-year period following the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder. The provisions of the Delaware business combination statute do not apply to a corporation if, subject to certain requirements specified in Section 203(b) of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation contain a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the provisions of the statute or the corporation does not have voting stock listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. We have not adopted any provision in our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, or amended and restated bylaws electing not to be governed by the Delaware business combination statute. As a result, the statute is applicable to business combinations involving us and may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions that are not approved by our board of directors.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities that we offer under a prospectus supplement will be direct, unsecured general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called “indentures.” The indentures will be supplemented by supplemental indentures, the material provisions of which will be described in a prospectus supplement.
As used in this description, the words “we,” “us” and “our” refer to TETRA Technologies, Inc., and not to any of our subsidiaries or affiliates.
We have summarized some of the material provisions of the indentures below. This summary does not restate those agreements in their entirety. A form of senior indenture and a form of subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read each of the indentures because each one, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities.
Capitalized terms defined in the indentures have the same meanings when used in this prospectus.
General
The debt securities issued under the indentures will be our direct, unsecured general obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our senior debt.
The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions that could apply to debt securities that we may offer to sell. A prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following, among others:
•the title and type of the debt securities;
•the total principal amount of the debt securities;
•the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;
•the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
•the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;
•any conversion or exchange features;
•any optional redemption periods;
•any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem some or all of the debt securities;
•any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;
•any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
•any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; and
•any other terms of the debt securities.
Neither of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each indenture will allow debt securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.
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Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered or global form.
Covenants
Under the indentures, we:
•will pay the principal of, and interest and any premium on, the debt securities when due;
•will maintain a place of payment;
•will deliver a certificate to the trustee each fiscal year reviewing our compliance with our obligations under the indentures;
•will preserve our corporate existence; and
•will segregate or deposit with any paying agent sufficient funds for the payment of any principal, interest or premium on or before the due date of such payment.
Mergers and Sale of Assets
Each of the indentures will provide that we may not convert into, or consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets (on a consolidated basis) to another Person, unless:
•either: (a) we are the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
•the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than us) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of our obligations under such indenture and the debt securities governed thereby pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, which may include a supplemental indenture;
•we or the successor will not immediately be in default under such indenture; and
•we deliver an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and any supplemental indenture comply with such indenture and that all conditions precedent set forth in such indenture have been complied with and such supplemental indenture, if any, is our legal, valid and binding obligation.
Upon the assumption of our obligations under each indenture by a successor, we will be discharged from all obligations under such indenture.
As used in the indenture and in this description, the word “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Events of Default
“Event of default,” when used in the indentures with respect to debt securities of any series, will mean any of the following:
(1)default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
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(2)default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of that series at its maturity;
(3)default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten of the applicable indenture (other than a covenant, a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;
(4)default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant set forth in Article Ten of such indenture or any other covenant, a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;
(5)we, pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law, (i) commence a voluntary case, (ii) consent to the entry of any order for relief against us in an involuntary case, (iii) consent to the appointment of a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iv) make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;
(6)a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that (i) is for relief against us in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of us, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days;
(7)default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
(8)any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series in accordance with provisions of the indenture related to the issuance of such debt securities.
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, interest or any premium) if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee. If they provide this satisfactory indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.
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Amendments and Waivers
Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures, the debt securities issued thereunder or the subsidiary guarantees, if any, may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with respect to each series of debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities).
Without the consent of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not, among other things:
(1)change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the applicable indenture, change the coin or currency in which any debt security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor);
(2)reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the applicable indenture;
(3)modify any of the provisions set forth in (i) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the holder’s unconditional right to receive principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities or (ii) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the waiver of past defaults under such indenture;
(4)waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; provided, however, that (i) any purchase or repurchase of debt securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the debt securities and (ii) any amendment to the minimum notice requirement may be made with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture;
(5)release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
(6)make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of the applicable indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each then-outstanding debt security affected thereby.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we, the guarantors, if any, and the trustee may amend each of the indentures or the debt securities issued thereunder to:
(1)cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;
(2)evidence the succession of another Person to us and the assumption by any such successor of our covenants therein and, to the extent applicable, of the debt securities;
(3)provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the
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Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or in the manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
(4)add a guarantee and cause any Person to become a guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the guarantee of such guarantor therein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any debt securities of any series;
(5)secure the debt securities of any series;
(6)add to the covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as we shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon us, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the applicable indenture as set forth therein; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an event of default or may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such an event of default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series to waive such an event of default;
(7)make any change to any provision of the applicable indenture that does not materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder;
(8)provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture;
(9)add any additional events of default in respect of all or any series of debt securities;
(10)add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(11)change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;
(12)establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted thereunder, including to reopen any series of any debt securities as permitted thereunder;
(13)evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of such indenture;
(14)conform the text of the applicable indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such debt securities appearing in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or an offering memorandum or offering circular to the extent that such provision appears on its face to have been intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder as described in an officer’s certificate delivered by us to the trustee; or
(15)modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust
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Indenture Act”), or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to such indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment with the consent of the holders under an indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Each indenture provides that we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the debt securities outstanding thereunder and all obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities discharged with respect to their guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”), except for:
(1)the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(2)our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning temporary debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, 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 our and each guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and
(4)the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.
In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain provisions of each indenture, including certain provisions described in any prospectus supplement (such release and termination being referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and thereafter any failure to comply with such obligations or provisions will not constitute a default or event of default. In addition, in the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in accordance with the applicable indenture, any defeasible event of default will no longer constitute an event of default.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1)we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding debt securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether the debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
(2)in the case of Legal Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the issue date of the debt securities, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3)in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize
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income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to 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 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)the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which we are, or any guarantor is, a party or by which we are, or any guarantor is, bound;
(6)such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture) to which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, a party or by which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, bound;
(7)we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders of debt securities over our other creditors with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding our creditors or the creditors of others;
(8)we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (6) of this paragraph have been complied with; and
(9)we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (6) of this paragraph have been complied with.
Satisfaction and Discharge
Each of the indentures will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities and certain rights of the trustee, as expressly provided for in such indenture) as to all outstanding debt securities and guarantees issued thereunder when:
(1)either (a) all of the debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under such indenture (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by us and thereafter repaid to us or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the name, and at the expense, of us, and we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee funds, in an amount sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, together with instructions from us irrevocably directing the trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(2)we have paid all other sums then due and payable under such indenture by us; and
(3)we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent under such indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Partners, Members and Stockholders
No director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, partner, member or stockholder of us or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any of our or the guarantors’ obligations under the debt securities, the indentures, the guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each
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holder of debt securities, upon our issuance of the debt securities and execution of the indentures, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Denominations
Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities, the debt securities will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 each and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $1,000.
Paying Agent and Registrar
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. We may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the debt securities, and we may act as paying agent or registrar.
Transfer and Exchange
A holder may transfer or exchange debt securities in accordance with the applicable indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and we may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the applicable indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption. In addition, we are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt securities to be redeemed.
Subordination
The payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on subordinated debt securities and any of our other payment obligations in respect of subordinated debt securities (including any obligation to repurchase subordinated debt securities) is subordinated in certain circumstances in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash of all senior debt.
We also may not make any payment, whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance or otherwise, upon or in respect of subordinated debt securities, except from a trust described under “— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance,” if
•a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any designated senior debt (“payment default”) occurs that has not been cured or waived, or
•any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated (“non-payment default”) and, solely with respect to this clause, the trustee for the subordinated debt securities receives a notice of the default (a “payment blockage notice”) from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt.
Cash payments on subordinated debt securities will be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived, and (b) in case of a non-payment default, the earliest of the date on which such non-payment default is cured or waived, the termination of the payment blockage period by written notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt, the payment in full of such designated senior debt or 179 days after the date on which the applicable payment blockage notice is received. No new payment blockage period may be commenced unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the date of commencement of the payment blockage period resulting from the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No nonpayment default in respect of designated senior debt that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for a period of no less than 90 consecutive days.
Upon any payment or distribution of our assets or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any
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dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of us, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all amounts due or to become due upon all senior debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by or on behalf of us on account of the subordinated debt securities, or any payment to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, us on any subordinated debt security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of our assets or securities, to which the holders of subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf would be entitled, shall be made by us or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the holders or the trustee if received by them or it, directly to the holders of senior debt or their representatives or to any trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such senior debt may have been issued, as their respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such senior debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such senior debt.
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of our liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of our creditors or a marshalling of our assets or liabilities, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than other creditors.
Payment and Transfer
Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered debt securities will be paid at designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. Debt securities payments in other forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in a prospectus supplement.
Fully registered debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without the payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental charge.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities that it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:
•by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary;
•by any nominee to the depositary itself or another nominee; or
•by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of the successor.
We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.
When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (“participants”). Those accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through
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participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
•will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt securities registered in their names;
•will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of the underlying debt securities in definitive form; and
•will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture relating to those debt securities.
Payments of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for the debt securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, any premium or interest relating to a global security representing any series of debt securities, immediately will credit participants’ accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities. Furthermore, if we specify, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable depositary, receive individual debt securities of that series in exchange for those beneficial interests. The foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In any such instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in any authorized denominations.
Governing Law
Each indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Information Concerning the Trustee
We will enter into the indenture with a trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act, and with any other trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities.
17
We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee for each series of debt securities and will file an application with the SEC under the Trust Indenture Act to qualify the trustee.
The indentures and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.
A single banking or financial institution may act as trustee with respect to both the subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. If this occurs, and should a default occur with respect to either the subordinated debt securities or the senior debt securities, such banking or financial institution would be required to resign as trustee under one of the indentures within 90 days of such default, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, rights or units. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities that may be attached to or separate from the warrants. If we issue warrants, we may do so under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
•the title of the warrants;
•the securities purchasable upon the exercise of such warrants;
•the exercise price;
•the aggregate number of warrants to be issued;
•the principal amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant;
•the price or prices at which each warrant will be issued;
•the procedures for exercising the warrants;
•the date upon which the exercise of warrants will commence;
•the expiration date, and any other material terms of the warrants; and
•any other terms of such warrants, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
The warrants do not confer upon the holders thereof any voting or other rights of stockholders.
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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
We may issue rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units. The rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which such underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering.
Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement that we will enter into with one or more banks, trust companies or other financial institutions, as rights agent, all of which will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
•the price, if any, per right;
•the exercise price payable for each debt security, share of common stock, share of preferred stock, warrant or unit upon the exercise of the rights;
•the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder;
•the number and terms of the debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, warrants or units that may be purchased per each right;
•the extent to which the rights are transferable;
•any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights;
•the respective dates on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence and shall expire;
•the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and
•if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights.
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC.
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, warrants, rights or any combination of such securities.
The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of any units in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
•the terms of the units and of any of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants and rights comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;
•a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and
•a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities through agents, underwriters or dealers, or directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.
We may designate agents to solicit offers to purchase our securities. We will name any agent involved in offering or selling our securities, and any commissions that we will pay to the agent, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we indicate otherwise in our prospectus supplement, our agents will act on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
Agents could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the New York Stock Exchange, the existing trading markets for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions (including block transactions), at negotiated prices, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. We will include the names of the managing underwriter(s), as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including the compensation the underwriters and dealers will receive, in our prospectus supplement. If we use an underwriter, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter(s) at the time that we reach an agreement for the sale of our securities. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. The underwriters will use a prospectus supplement to sell our securities.
If we use a dealer, we, as principal, will sell our securities to the dealer. The dealer will then sell our securities to the public at varying prices that the dealer will determine at the time it sells our securities. We will include the name of the dealer and the terms of our transactions with the dealer in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may directly solicit offers to purchase our securities, and we may directly sell our securities to institutional or other investors. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We will describe the terms of our direct sales in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. In connection with the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from the purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be identified and their compensation described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities offered under this prospectus will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market, other than the common stock, which is currently listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange but are not obligated to do so. Any common stock sold by this prospectus will be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or such other exchanges as our common stock may be listed for trading at the time of issuance, subject to official notice of issuance. We cannot give you any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading markets for any of the securities.
Any underwriter to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation
22
M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of the securities in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. These activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. The underwriters will not be obligated to engage in any of the aforementioned transactions and may discontinue such transactions at any time without notice.
23
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Any underwriter will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by its own legal counsel. If such counsel to underwriters passes on legal matters in connection with an offering of securities made by this prospectus, and a related prospectus supplement, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.
EXPERTS
The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
24
TETRA Technologies, Inc.
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
UNITS
P R O S P E C T U S
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than selling or underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby.
SEC registration fee | $ | 61,240 | * | |||||
FINRA filing fee (if applicable) | ** | |||||||
Printing and mailing expenses | ** | |||||||
Legal fees and expenses | ** | |||||||
Trustee fees and expenses | ** | |||||||
Accounting fees and expenses | ** | |||||||
Miscellaneous | ** | |||||||
Total | $ | ** | ||||||
__________________
*Includes the $7,714 previously paid in connection with the unsold securities pursuant to Rule 457(p).
** Estimated expenses are not presently known. The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that the registrant anticipates that it will incur in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Delaware Corporation
TETRA Technologies, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (b) of Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been made to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section
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145 in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith; that indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; that indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the corporation against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liabilities under Section 145.
TETRA Technologies’ restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides for indemnification of TETRA Technologies’ directors and officers to the full extent permitted by applicable law. TETRA Technologies’ amended and restated bylaws also provide that its directors and officers shall be indemnified against liabilities arising from their service as directors or officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, which generally requires that the individual act in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to TETRA Technologies’ best interests.
Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In accordance with the Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, TETRA Technologies’ restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, contains a provision that generally eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duty, subject to limitations of Section 102(b)(7).
TETRA Technologies has also entered into indemnification agreements with all of its directors and elected officers. The indemnification agreements provide that TETRA Technologies will indemnify these officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by its restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, amended and restated bylaws and applicable law. The indemnification agreements also provide that these officers and directors shall be entitled to the advancement of fees as permitted by applicable law and sets out the procedures required under the agreements for determining entitlement to and obtaining indemnification and expense advancement.
TETRA Technologies maintains insurance policies that provide coverages to its directors and officers against certain liabilities.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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Item 16. Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibit | |||||||
1.1** | Form of Underwriting Agreement for each of the securities registered hereby. | |||||||
4.1 | ||||||||
4.2 | ||||||||
4.3 | Specimen Common Stock Certificate of TETRA Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on February 23, 1990 (SEC File No. 33-33586)). | |||||||
4.4 | ||||||||
4.5 | ||||||||
4.6 | ||||||||
4.7* | ||||||||
4.8* | ||||||||
4.9** | Form of Certificate of Designation for the Preferred Stock. | |||||||
4.10** | Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate of TETRA Technologies, Inc. | |||||||
4.11** | Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of warrant certificate). | |||||||
4.12** | Form of Rights Agreement (including form of right certificate). | |||||||
4.13** | Form of Unit Agreement (including form of unit certificate). | |||||||
5.1* | ||||||||
23.1* | ||||||||
23.2* | ||||||||
24.1* | ||||||||
25.1† | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding the senior debt securities. | |||||||
25.2† | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding the subordinated debt securities. | |||||||
107 | ||||||||
_________________
*Filed herewith.
** To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K filed at a later date in connection with a specific offering.
† To be filed under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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Item 17. Undertakings.
A.The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(a)To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(b)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(c)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs A(l)(a), A(l)(b) and A(1)(c) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(a)Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement: and
(b)Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
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prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(a)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(b)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(c)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(d)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
B.The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C.Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
D.The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2)For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The Woodlands, Texas on May 12, 2025.
| TETRA Technologies, Inc. | |||||||||||
By: | /s/ Brady M. Murphy | ||||||||||
Brady M. Murphy | |||||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of TETRA Technologies, Inc. hereby constitutes and appoints Brady M. Murphy, Elijio V. Serrano, Alicia P. Boston, and Kimberly M. O’Brien, and each of them individually, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him or her and on his or her behalf and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file any or all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, with any and all exhibits thereto, and all other documents required to be filed therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any regulatory authority, granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she himself or herself might or could do, if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE | ||||||||||||
| /s/ Brady M. Murphy | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Brady M. Murphy | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ Elijio V. Serrano | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Elijio V. Serrano | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Mark E. Baldwin | Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Mark E. Baldwin | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Thomas R. Bates, Jr. | Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Thomas R. Bates, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Christian A. Garcia | Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Christian A. Garcia | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ John F. Glick | Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| John F. Glick | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Angela D. John | Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Angela D. John | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Sharon B. McGee | Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Sharon B. McGee | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Shawn D. Williams | Director | May 12, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Shawn D. Williams | ||||||||||||||
Exhibit 4.7
TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
AND
[●]
Trustee
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF , 20
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED, AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF , 20
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION | INDENTURE SECTION | |||||||
Section 310(a)(1) | 6.9 | |||||||
(a)(2) | 6.9 | |||||||
(a)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(a)(4) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(a)(5) | 6.9 | |||||||
(b) | 6.8 | |||||||
Section 311 | 6.13 | |||||||
Section 312(a) | 7.1, 7.2(a) | |||||||
(b) | 7.2(b) | |||||||
(c) | 7.2(c) | |||||||
Section 313(a) | 7.3 | |||||||
(b) | * | |||||||
(c) | * | |||||||
(d) | 7.3 | |||||||
Section 314(a) | 7.4 | |||||||
(a)(4) | 10.5 | |||||||
(b) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(c)(1) | 1.3 | |||||||
(c)(2) | 1.3 | |||||||
(c)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(d) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(e) | 1.3 | |||||||
Section 315(a) | 6.1(a) | |||||||
(b) | 6.2 | |||||||
(c) | 6.1(b) | |||||||
(d) | 6.1(c) | |||||||
(d)(1) | 6.1(a)(1) | |||||||
(e) | 5.14 | |||||||
Section 316(a) | 1.1, 1.2 | |||||||
(a)(1)(A) | 5.2, 5.12 | |||||||
(a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |||||||
(a)(2) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(b) | 5.8 | |||||||
(c) | 1.5(f) | |||||||
Section 317(a)(1) | 5.3 | |||||||
(a)(2) | 5.4 | |||||||
(b) | 10.3 | |||||||
Section 318(a) | 1.8 | |||||||
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
* Deemed included pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | ||||||||||
Section 1.1. | Definitions | 1 | |||||||||
Section 1.2. | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 7 | |||||||||
Section 1.3. | Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 7 | |||||||||
Section 1.4. | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 8 | |||||||||
Section 1.5. | Acts of Holders; Record Dates | 8 | |||||||||
Section 1.6. | Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors | 9 | |||||||||
Section 1.7. | Notice to Holders; Waiver | 10 | |||||||||
Section 1.8. | Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 10 | |||||||||
Section 1.9. | Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 10 | |||||||||
Section 1.10. | Successors and Assigns | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.11. | Separability Clause | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.12. | Benefits of Indenture | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.13. | Force Majeure | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.14. | Waiver of Jury Trial | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.15. | Governing Law | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.16. | Legal Holidays | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.17. | Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.18. | Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.19. | Language of Notices, Etc. | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.20. | Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability | 13 | |||||||||
Section 1.21. | U.S.A. Patriot Act | 13 | |||||||||
ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS | 13 | ||||||||||
Section 2.1. | Forms Generally | 13 | |||||||||
Section 2.2. | Form of Face of Security | 13 | |||||||||
Section 2.3. | Form of Reverse of Security | 16 | |||||||||
Section 2.4. | Global Securities | 19 | |||||||||
Section 2.5. | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 20 | |||||||||
ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES | 20 | ||||||||||
Section 3.1. | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 20 | |||||||||
Section 3.2. | Denominations | 22 | |||||||||
Section 3.3. | Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 23 | |||||||||
Section 3.4. | Temporary Securities | 24 | |||||||||
Section 3.5. | Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 24 | |||||||||
Section 3.6. | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 27 | |||||||||
Section 3.7. | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved | 27 | |||||||||
Section 3.8. | Persons Deemed Owners | 28 | |||||||||
Section 3.9. | Cancellation | 29 | |||||||||
Section 3.10. | Computation of Interest | 29 | |||||||||
Section 3.11. | CUSIP or CINS Numbers | 29 | |||||||||
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ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 29 | ||||||||||
Section 4.1. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 29 | |||||||||
Section 4.2. | Application of Trust Money | 30 | |||||||||
ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES | 30 | ||||||||||
Section 5.1. | Events of Default | 30 | |||||||||
Section 5.2. | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 31 | |||||||||
Section 5.3. | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 32 | |||||||||
Section 5.4. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 33 | |||||||||
Section 5.5. | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 33 | |||||||||
Section 5.6. | Application of Money Collected | 33 | |||||||||
Section 5.7. | Limitation on Suits | 33 | |||||||||
Section 5.8. | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest | 34 | |||||||||
Section 5.9. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 34 | |||||||||
Section 5.10. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.11. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 34 | |||||||||
Section 5.12. | Control by Holders | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.13. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.14. | Undertaking for Costs | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.15. | Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws | 35 | |||||||||
ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE | 36 | ||||||||||
Section 6.1. | Certain Duties and Responsibilities | 36 | |||||||||
Section 6.2. | Notice of Defaults | 37 | |||||||||
Section 6.3. | Certain Rights of Trustee | 37 | |||||||||
Section 6.4. | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 38 | |||||||||
Section 6.5. | May Hold Securities | 38 | |||||||||
Section 6.6. | Money Held in Trust | 39 | |||||||||
Section 6.7. | Compensation and Reimbursement | 39 | |||||||||
Section 6.8. | Disqualification; Conflicting Interests | 39 | |||||||||
Section 6.9. | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 40 | |||||||||
Section 6.10. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 40 | |||||||||
Section 6.11. | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 41 | |||||||||
Section 6.12. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 42 | |||||||||
Section 6.13. | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 42 | |||||||||
Section 6.14. | Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 42 | |||||||||
ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 44 | ||||||||||
Section 7.1. | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 44 | |||||||||
Section 7.2. | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 44 | |||||||||
Section 7.3. | Reports by Trustee | 45 | |||||||||
Section 7.4. | Reports by Company | 45 | |||||||||
ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE | 46 | ||||||||||
Section 8.1. | Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 46 | |||||||||
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Section 8.2. | Successor Substituted | 46 | |||||||||
ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER | 47 | ||||||||||
Section 9.1. | Without Consent of Holders | 47 | |||||||||
Section 9.2. | With Consent of Holders | 48 | |||||||||
Section 9.3. | Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures | 49 | |||||||||
Section 9.4. | Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures | 49 | |||||||||
Section 9.5. | Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 49 | |||||||||
Section 9.6. | Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures | 50 | |||||||||
Section 9.7. | Effect of Consents | 50 | |||||||||
| ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS | 50 | ||||||||||
Section 10.1. | Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest | 50 | |||||||||
Section 10.2. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 50 | |||||||||
Section 10.3. | Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 51 | |||||||||
Section 10.4. | Existence | 52 | |||||||||
Section 10.5. | Statement by Officers as to Default | 52 | |||||||||
ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 52 | ||||||||||
Section 11.1. | Applicability of Article | 52 | |||||||||
Section 11.2. | Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 52 | |||||||||
Section 11.3. | Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed | 53 | |||||||||
Section 11.4. | Notice of Redemption | 53 | |||||||||
Section 11.5. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 54 | |||||||||
Section 11.6. | Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 54 | |||||||||
Section 11.7. | Securities Redeemed in Part | 54 | |||||||||
ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS | 55 | ||||||||||
Section 12.1. | Applicability of Article | 55 | |||||||||
Section 12.2. | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 55 | |||||||||
Section 12.3. | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 55 | |||||||||
ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE | 55 | ||||||||||
Section 13.1. | Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 55 | |||||||||
Section 13.2. | Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 56 | |||||||||
Section 13.3. | Covenant Defeasance | 56 | |||||||||
Section 13.4. | Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 57 | |||||||||
Section 13.5. | Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 58 | |||||||||
Section 13.6. | Reinstatement | 58 | |||||||||
| ARTICLE FOURTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES | 58 | ||||||||||
Section 14.1. | Securities Guarantee | 58 | |||||||||
Section 14.2. | Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 59 | |||||||||
Section 14.3. | Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation | 60 | |||||||||
NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
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PARTIES
INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , among TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined hereinafter) and [●], as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY:
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured senior debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors, to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) that are required to be a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;
(c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(d) the words “Article” and “Section” refer to an Article and Section, respectively, of this Indenture;
(e) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative definitions; and
(f) references to any officer of any partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers but is managed or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity that does have officers, shall be deemed to be references to the officers of such managing or controlling entity.
Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
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“Additional Defeasible Provision” means a covenant or other provision that is (a) made part of this Indenture pursuant to an indenture supplemental hereto, a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1, and (b) pursuant to the terms set forth in such supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, made subject to the provisions of Article Thirteen.
“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. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.
“Banking Day” means, in respect of any city, any date on which commercial banks are open for business in that city.
“Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.
“Board of Directors” means:
(a) 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;
(b) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;
(c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managers or members thereof or any board or committee serving a similar management function; and
(d) with respect to any other Person, the individual or board or committee of such Person serving a management function similar to those described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or a Guarantor, the principal financial officer of the Company or a Guarantor, any other authorized officer of the Company or a Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, in each case as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution (including the establishment of any series of the Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee, officer or employee of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, authorized to take such action by the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution.
“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.
“CINS” means CUSIP International Numbering System.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor or resulting Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor or resulting Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means, in the case of the Company, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the Company or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at the address specified in Section 3.5 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
“corporation,” when used in reference to the Trustee or any prospective Trustee, shall include any corporation, company, association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust or other entity, in each case, satisfying the requirements of Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
“CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“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, with respect to a series of Securities, any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
“Definitive Security” means a security other than a Global Security or a temporary Security.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.
“Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America, which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means a currency used by the government of a country other than the United States of America.
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“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in (1) the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification and any related Accounting Standards Updates by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (2) such other statements by such other entity as are approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (3) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
“Global Security” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of a series of Securities and is authenticated and delivered to, and registered in the name of, the Depositary for the Securities of such series or its nominee.
“Guaranteed Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.
“Guarantor” means each Person that becomes a guarantor of any Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument, and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be part of and govern this instrument and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” also shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
“Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(c) or Section 5.1(d).
“Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of the Company, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.
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“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.
“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof on such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more currencies or currency units other than U.S. dollars shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent of such currencies or currency units, determined in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 on the date of original issuance of such Security or by Section 1.17, if not otherwise so provided pursuant to Section 3.1, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent (as so determined) on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof, the original issue
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date or dates thereof, the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, and any other terms specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 3.1, the office or agency of the Company and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
“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), including any Vice President, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer, assistant trust officer or assistant controller assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, 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 and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Guarantee” means each guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities by a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions hereof.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
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“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.
“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.5; provided, however, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“U.S. Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, the Guarantor (if applicable) or any other obligor on the indenture securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by a Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture
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relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 10.5) shall include:
(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) 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;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (either physically or by means of a facsimile or an electronic transmission, provided that such electronic transmission is transmitted through the facilities of a Depositary) by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company or the Guarantors. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are
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herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of commencement of such Person’s holding of same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors in reliance thereon, regardless of whether notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to give or take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any different part of such principal amount.
(f) The Company may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, regardless of whether such Holders remain Holders after such record date.
Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors.
(a) Any notice, request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other communication by the Company, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile, electronic mail in .pdf format or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:
TETRA Technologies, Inc.
24955 Interstate 45 North
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Telephone: (281) 367-1983
Facsimile: (281) 364-4346
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
[●]
[●]
[●]
[●]
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[●]
Attention: [●]
If to the Trustee:
[●]
[●]
[●]
(b) The Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
(c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders, unless mailed in the manner herein prescribed) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; 3 Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; at the time delivered, if by electronic mail in pdf. format, and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and (i) mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, or (ii) in the case of Global Securities, electronically transmitted, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed or sent to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, regardless of whether such Holder actually receives such notice.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depository, including by electronic mail in accordance with rules and procedures of the Depository.
Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
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Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by each of the Company and the Guarantors shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.11. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.13. 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, fire, riots, strikes, work stoppages, embargos, governmental actions or any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, 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 which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.
Section 1.15. Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 1.16. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee (other than a provision of the Securities of any series or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.16)) payment of interest or principal and any premium need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and if payment is so made, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.
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Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency.
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any affected series which are denominated in a coin, currency or currencies other than Dollars (including, but not limited to, any composite currency, currency units or Foreign Currency), then the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 1.17, the term “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent available date. If such Market Exchange Rate is not so available for any reason with respect to such currency, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations or rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of Euros shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such other quotations or rates of exchange as appropriate shall be used. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
In no event will the Trustee have any duty or liability regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph.
Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency.
Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the Banking Day next preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (regardless of whether entered in accordance with subclause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.
Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
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Section 1.20. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in this Indenture or of or contained in any Security or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager, employee, partner or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, either directly or through the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.
Section 1.21. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
The Company acknowledges that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions, 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 Company agrees to provide the Trustee with such information as it may request to enable the Trustee to comply with the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Securities Guarantee, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, any notation of the Securities Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution thereof.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The forms of Global Securities of any series shall have such provisions and legends as are customary for Securities of such series in global form, including without limitation any legend required by the Depositary for the Securities of such series.
Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security.
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security and is not “publicly offered” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-1(h), insert-FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH
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ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS [. . . . . . . .% OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT] [$. . . . PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT], THE ISSUE DATE IS . . . . . ., 20. . . AND, THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS . . . . . . . . , COMPOUNDED [SEMIANNUALLY OR OTHER PROPER PERIOD].
[In the alternative instead of providing such legend, insert the following legend-FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, AND. . . . . . . [THE NAME OR TITLE AND ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY] WILL, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, THE YIELD TO MATURITY AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS.]
[Insert any other legend required by the Code or the regulations thereunder.]
[If a Global Security,-insert legend required by Section 2.4 of the Indenture] [If applicable, insert -UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
[TITLE OF SECURITY]
| No. . . . . . . | U.S. $. . . . . . | ||||
[CUSIP No. ]
TETRA Technologies, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ......................................................, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ................. ................................................ United States Dollars on ........................................ [If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert-, and to pay interest thereon from ........... or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on ......... and .............. in each year, commencing ..........., at the rate of . . . . % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert-, and at the rate of % per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any installment of interest (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)].
The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the . . . . or . . . . (regardless of whether a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for
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will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert-The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of . . . % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of . . . . % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
[If a Global Security, insert-Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert-any such] interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in designated by the Holder 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 [state other currency].]
[If a Definitive Security, insert-Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert-any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in , 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] [state other currency] [or subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such Paying Agent, at the [main] offices of in , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check drawn on, or transfer to a [United States Dollar] account maintained by the payee with, a bank in The City of New York (so long as the applicable Paying Agency has received proper transfer instructions in writing at least days prior to the payment date)] [if applicable, insert-; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check mailed to the addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear in the Security Register] [or by transfer to a [United States Dollar] [state other currency] account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York [state other Place of Payment] (so long as the applicable Paying Agent has received proper transfer instructions in writing by the record date prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date)].]
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| Dated: | ||||||||
| TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
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Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of senior securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 20 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and [●], as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $ . . . . . . . . . . ].
This security is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Company [if applicable, insert-and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Securities Guarantee”) by [insert name of each Guarantor] (the “Guarantors”). The Securities Guarantee is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of each Guarantor.]
[If applicable, insert-The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than ... days’ notice by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities), [if applicable, insert-(1) on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] at any time [on or after . . . . . . . . . ., 20. . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [on or before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . . . of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price | Year | Redemption Price | |||||||||||||||||
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert-(whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert-The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than... nor more than ... days’ notice by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities), (1) on . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [on or after . . . . . . . . . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price For Redemption Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | Redemption Price for Redemption Otherwise Than Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | ||||||||||||
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and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more
Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert-Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to . . . . . . . . . ., redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than . . . .% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert-The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on . . . . . . . . . . . . in each year beginning with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . of [not less than] $ . . . . . . . . . . . . [ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $ . . . . . . . . . . . . ] aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. [Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [If applicable, insert- in the inverse order in which they become due].]
[If the Securities are subject to redemption in part of any kind, insert-In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert-The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to Stated Maturity.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security,-If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security,-If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to -insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, regardless of whether notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
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No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place(s) and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
[If a Global Security, insert-This Global Security or portion hereof may not be exchanged for Definitive Securities of this series except in the limited circumstances provided in the Indenture. The holders of beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities except as described in the Indenture and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.]
[If a Definitive Security, insert-As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in [if applicable, insert-any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable] [if applicable, insert-The City of New York [, or, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (limited as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such transfer agent, at the [main] offices of in or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate]], duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.]
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of U.S. $ . . . . . . . . and any integral multiple of $ . . . . . . . . in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, [If applicable, insert-any Guarantor,] the Trustee and any agent of the Company [If applicable, insert-, a Guarantor] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, regardless of whether this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, [If applicable, insert-the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [If applicable, insert-, or the Securities Guarantee endorsed thereon,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company [If applicable, insert-or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company [If applicable, insert-or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.
The Indenture provides that the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if the Company [If applicable, insert-or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S.
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Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Except as otherwise defined herein, all terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
[If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page-
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
| (Please Print or Type Name and Address of Assignee) | |||||
the within instrument of TETRA Technologies, Inc. and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:
| Dated: | ||||||||||||||
| (Signature) | ||||||||||||||
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.]
[If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Securities Guarantee-
Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of this series and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities of this series by the Company.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities of this series and to the Trustee pursuant to the Securities Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Securities Guarantee.
| Guarantors: | |||||||||||
| [NAME OF EACH GUARANTOR] | |||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||
| ] | |||||||||||
Section 2.4. Global Securities.
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Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (i) of Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 3.2, any Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as the case may be, to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any reduction or increase in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in a Company Order. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3, Section 3.4 and Section 3.5, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. Any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel).
The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction or increase, as the case may be, in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.3.
Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee’s certificate(s) of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated [insert title of applicable series] referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [●], as Trustee | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Authorized Officer | ||||||||
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
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The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued);
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(c) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the formula, method or provision pursuant to which such rate or rates are determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method of determination thereof, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, including the first Interest Payment Date, and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
(f) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(g) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(i) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(j) whether payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be without deduction for taxes, assessments or governmental charges paid by Holders of the series;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
(l) if the amount of payments of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(m) if and as applicable, that the Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global Security or Global Securities and any circumstances other than those set forth in Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be transferred to, and registered and exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be registered;
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(n) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.1 or the covenants of the Company set forth in Article Ten with respect to the Securities of such series;
(o) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;
(p) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(q) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Company, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Company or its Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof;
(r) if other than as provided in Section 13.2 and Section 13.3, the means of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as may be specified for the Securities of the series;
(s) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the initial Security Registrar and any initial Paying Agent;
(t) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed pursuant to the Securities Guarantee set forth in Article Fourteen, any modifications to the terms of Article Fourteen applicable to the Securities of such series and the applicability of any other guarantees; and
(u) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities and issuances of additional Securities of such series or for the establishment of additional terms with respect to the Securities of such series.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the series.
With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may provide general terms for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors or one or more agents thereof designated in an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with a Company Order.
Section 3.2. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Any notation of Securities Guarantee endorsed on the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on any notation of the Securities Guarantee may be manual or facsimile.
Securities and any notation of a Securities Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to a Company Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on such Board Resolution and shall be entitled to receive such documents as it may reasonably request. The Trustee shall also be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 3.1 and complying with Section 1.3 and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 1.3 stating:
(a) if the form or forms of such Securities has been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that each such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b) if the terms of such Securities have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject, in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; and
(c) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions and assumptions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Securities Guarantees thereof will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the following limitations: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, or to general equity principles, (ii) the availability of equitable remedies being subject to the discretion of the court to which application therefor is made; and (iii) such other usual and customary matters as shall be specified in such Opinion of Counsel.
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The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, on the form or forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security nor any related Securities Guarantee shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series and tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.
Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment required by Section 10.2 a register (the register maintained in such office being herein sometimes
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referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed as the initial “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided, and its Corporate Trust Office, which, at the date hereof, is located at [●], is the initial office or agency where the Securities Register will be maintained. The Company may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 10.2 for such purpose, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 11.3 is sent and ending at the close of business on the day of the delivery thereof, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to any particular series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred, except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security except as provided in the two paragraphs immediately following.
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If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible to continue as Depositary under Section 3.1 or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.1 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities registered in the names of such Persons as the Depositary shall direct.
If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities in definitive registered form, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge:
(a) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
(b) to such Depositary a new Global Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (a) above.
Every Person who takes or holds any beneficial interest in a Global Security agrees that:
(i) the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee may deal with the Depositary as sole owner of the Global Security and as the authorized representative of such Person;
(ii) such Person’s rights in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those rights established by law and agreement between such Person and the Depositary and/or direct and indirect participants of the Depositary;
(iii) the Depositary and its participants make book-entry transfers of beneficial ownership among, and receive and transmit distributions of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Global Securities to, such Persons in accordance with their own procedures; and
(iv) none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the Trustee, nor any agent of any of them will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
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The transferor of any Security shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information. In connection with any proposed exchange of a Definitive Security for a Global Security, the Company or the Depositary shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) or the Trustee to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company 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 Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, regardless of whether the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to
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the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided.
Thereupon, the Company shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest that shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such Special Record Date and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid (or sent by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities), to each Holder of Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed or sent, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
The Trustee will not have any duty to determine whether any Defaulted Interest is payable or the amount thereof.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, regardless of whether such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor, if applicable, the Guarantors nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent of any thereof as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.
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Section 3.9. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder that the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP or CINS numbers (if then generally in use, and in addition to the other identification numbers printed on the Securities), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or CINS numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such CUSIP or CINS numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such CUSIP or CINS numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in “CUSIP” or “CINS” number.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect and will be discharged with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and certain rights of the Trustee, in each case, herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon Company Request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when:
(a) either:
(i) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, and (B) such Securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(A) have become due and payable; or
(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or
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(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (ii)(A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with instructions from the Company irrevocably directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of any series, (x) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 6.10 shall survive, and (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.2, Section 6.6, Section 10.2, the last paragraph of Section 10.3 and Section 13.6 shall survive.
Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for the payment of which such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 5.1. Events of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten in this Indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail or electronic transmission, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
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amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in this Indenture (other than a covenant in Article Ten or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail or electronic transmission, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(e) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of the creditors of the Company; or
(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days; or
(g) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
(h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in accordance with Section 3.1.
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest of all of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 5.1 occurs, the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article Five provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
(i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;
(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series that has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
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(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and
(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or
(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof; the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, 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.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities, their property or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such 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 of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
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(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due 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 6.7.
No provision of this Indenture 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, compromise, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.
Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture (including, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee), or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
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(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of the same series of Security, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holder of the same series of Security or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the same series of Security (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder affects, disturbs or prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains priority or preference over such other Holders).
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
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Section 5.12. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that:
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
(b) the Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it being furnished prior to taking such action;
(c) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and
(d) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the direction would expose the Trustee to personal liability or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to determine whether or not any such direction is unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in giving such direction); provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
By written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:
(a) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or interest on any Security of such series; or
(b) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
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 5.14. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant, other than the Trustee, in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.14 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).
Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
Each of the Company and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage
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of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Company and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series:
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and as are provided by the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) 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; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, given pursuant to Section 5.12, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Regardless of whether therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
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Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and written notice is given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee as provided in Section 6.3(j), within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by first-class mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and, provided, further, that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(d) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.
Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness 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) any request or direction of the Company or a Guarantor mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) shall be entitled to receive an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance on such certificate or opinion;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall 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;
(e) the Trustee shall 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 pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct
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or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder and shall not be responsible for the supervision of officers and employees of such agents or attorneys;
(h) the Trustee may request that the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
(i) the Trustee shall be entitled to the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article Six in acting as a Paying Agent or Security Registrar hereunder;
(j) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice of any event that is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume no such Default or Event of Default exists;
(k) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take that it believes in good faith to be authorized or within its powers conferred upon it by this Indenture or pursuant to applicable law;
(l) the Trustee shall not be required to provide any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers in respect of this Indenture or otherwise;
(m) under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual or any other capacity for the obligations evidenced by any Securities;
(n) anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Company has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and
(o) before taking any action or refraining from taking any action, the Trustee may require that indemnity satisfactory to it be furnished for the reimbursement of all expenses to which it may be put and to protect it against all liability, including costs incurred in defending itself against any and all charges, claims, complaints, allegations, assertions or demands of any nature whatsoever, except liability which is adjudicated by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of the Trustee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with any such action.
Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness.
Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent makes any representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.5. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Section 6.8, Section 6.9 and Section 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
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Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors.
Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as agreed to in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as has been adjudicated by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its own negligence or willful misconduct; and
(c) to indemnify, defend and protect each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, agents and employees for, and to hold it and them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, cost or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the earnings or income of the Trustee) and court costs, that the Trustee actually incurs and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 6.7) and defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder; except in any case, any such loss, liability, damage, cost or expense as has been adjudicated by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from any of its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities.
Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Legal Defeasance of the Securities.
Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
Reference is made to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. There shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act this Indenture with respect to the Securities of more than one series.
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Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus required by the Trust Indenture Act, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Trustee shall not be an obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate thereof. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, then it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee (at the Company’s expense) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by 30 days’ written notice delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a Custodian of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series), and the Company and the successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
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amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, the successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of the series to which the appointment of such successor relates and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held
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by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail (or send by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) a notice of its succession to the Company and the Holders of the Securities then Outstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand;
(b) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America,
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any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be qualified and eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that shall be acceptable to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and shall mail (or send by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [●], as Trustee | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| As Authenticating Agent | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Authorized Officer | ||||||||
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ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list for such series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, with respect to each series of Securities, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a); or
(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the SEC, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of
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such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) nor the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.2(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.2(b).
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.
Any Trustee’s report required pursuant to Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be dated as of May 15, and shall be transmitted within 60 days after May 15 of each year (but in all events at intervals of not more than 12 months), commencing with the year 20__, by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, and with the SEC. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.4. Reports by Company.
The Company shall:
(a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(c) transmit by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.
The Company will be deemed to have furnished each report required by (a) and (b) above to the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities if it has filed such report with the SEC using the EDGAR filing system and such report is publicly available.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s and the Guarantors’ compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall have no obligation or responsibility to determine whether the Company is required to file any report or other information with the SEC, whether the Company’s information is available on EDGAR (or any successor thereto) or whether
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the Company has otherwise delivered any notice or report in accordance with the requirements specified in this Section 7.4.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not convert into, or consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, convey, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to any other Person unless:
(a) either: (i) the Company is the surviving Person; or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made assumes by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(d) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with and the supplemental indenture is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company.
Section 8.2. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors on a consolidated basis in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company and, if applicable, each of the Guarantors shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
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ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.
The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities without the consent of any holder of a Security:
(a) to cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein; or
(b) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and, to the extent applicable, of the Securities; or
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in the manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; or
(d) to add a Securities Guarantee and cause any Person to become a Guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities of any series, and/or to cause any corporate subsidiary of the Company to become a co-issuer of the Securities of any series; or
(e) to secure the Securities of any series; or
(f) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults), may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; or
(g) to make any change to any provision of this Indenture that does not materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities; or
(h) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture; or
(i) to add any additional Events of Default in respect of all or any series of Securities; or
(j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; or
(k) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
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(l) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, including to reopen any series of any Securities as permitted under Section 3.1; or
(m) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or
(n) to conform the text of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued hereunder to any provision of a description of such text or Securities appearing in a prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or offering circular pursuant to which such Securities were offered to the extent that such provision was intended by the Company to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities or Securities Guarantee issued hereunder, with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate; or
(o) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders.
The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee and the Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities) and, subject to Section 5.8 and Section 5.13 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities may be waived with respect to each series of Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities).
It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company will mail (or send by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date therefor); or
(b) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent
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of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or
(c) modify any of the provisions of Section 5.8 or Section 5.13; or
(d) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security; provided, however, that (i) any purchase or repurchase of Securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the Securities and (ii) any amendment to the minimum notice requirement may be made with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture; or
(e) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Securities Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
(f) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.
An amendment or supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived and such amendment or supplemental indenture is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and Guarantors (if any), the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture unless such amendment or supplemental indenture adversely 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 amendment or supplemental Indenture.
Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment or supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
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Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such amendment or supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
Section 9.7. Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security of a series is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Security of such series and every subsequent Holder of a Security of such series or portion of a Security of such series that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security of such series, even if the notation of the consent is not made on any Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder of the Securities of such series.
With respect to any consent, waiver or amendment of this Indenture relating to the Securities of a particular series, neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Securities of such series for or as an inducement to any such consent, waiver or amendment unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Securities of such series that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment; provided however, nothing herein shall require the Company or any Guarantor to seek consent of all the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such proposed consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or otherwise relating to the Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or Security Registrar or agent of the Trustee or Security Registrar) where Securities of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment and surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will 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 Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail 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 Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will 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.
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Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Company’s office or agency for each such purpose for each series of Securities. The Trustee shall initially serve as Paying Agent. In the event the Company makes any payment in any currency in which the Trustee is unable to pay, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee to make such payment and the Trustee will have no obligations with respect to such payment and will incur no liability with respect to the failure by the Company or such other Paying Agent to make, or cause to be made, such payment.
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. For purposes of this Section 10.3, should a due date for principal of or any premium or interest on, or sinking fund payment with respect to, any series of Securities not be on a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day without any interest for the period from the due date until such Business Day.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(b) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal or any premium or interest on the Securities of that series; and
(c) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Subject to any applicable escheat or abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such
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Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the
Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4. Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor (subject to the provisions in a resolution or supplemental indenture establishing a series of Securities that permits the consolidation amalgamation, merger of a Guarantor under the conditions specified therein) will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company and, if applicable, each Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default.
Annually, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and, if applicable, such Guarantor, stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made, and as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s or
such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if any Event of Default applicable to the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall have occurred and be continuing, specifying all such Events of Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven.
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 15 days prior to the last date for the giving of notice of such redemption (unless a
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shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of the Securities of the series to be redeemed, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, pro rata (or, in the cases of securities in global form, in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary in the case of Global Securities) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If the Securities of any series to be redeemed consist of Securities having different dates on which the principal is payable or different rates of interest, or different methods by which interest may be determined or have any other different tenor or terms, then the Company may, by written notice to the Trustee, direct that the Securities of such series to be redeemed shall be selected from among the groups of such Securities having specified tenor or terms and the Trustee shall thereafter select the particular Securities to be redeemed in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph from among the group of such Securities so specified. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or sent electronically in the case of Global Securities, in each case, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(a) the name of the Securities, including series and issue date, CUSIP numbers, interest rate, maturity date and certificate numbers;
(b) the Redemption Date;
(c) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
(d) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
(e) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
(f) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
(g) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and
(h) the conditions, if any, to which such redemption shall be subject.
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Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided, however, that the notice delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof requests that the Trustee give such notice of redemption and sets forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest, or fail to pay the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest as a result of any failure of any condition to which such redemption is subject to be satisfied or waived) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series as contemplated in Section 3.1, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
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ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article Twelve shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the
election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not been previously so credited, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE
Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution, and at any time, elect to have either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof be applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.
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Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.2, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 13.5 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities, the Securities Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions, which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 13.4 hereof;
(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 hereof;
(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee under Article Six hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(d) this Article Thirteen.
Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the same series of Securities.
Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be released from each of their obligations with respect to the Securities of such series under the covenants contained in Section 7.4, Section 8.1 and Section 10.4 hereof as well as any Additional Defeasible Provisions (such release and termination hereinafter referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such 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 such Securities will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Securities Guarantee, the Company and the Guarantors may fail 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 failure to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Securities Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, any Event of Default that constitutes an Additional Defeasible Provision will no longer constitute an Event of Default.
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Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any series of Securities under either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof:
(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;
(b) in the case of an election under Section 13.2 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:
(i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(ii) since the Issue Date, 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 will state that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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;
(c) in the case of an election under Section 13.3 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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;
(d) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities 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);
(e) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;
(f) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must 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 Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;
(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;
(h) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with; and
(i) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with.
57
Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 13.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities 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 Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 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 13.4(a) 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 13.6. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the Securities of any series, 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 Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and the Securities Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee.
(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article Fourteen, each of the Guarantors hereby fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(t) (the Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Guaranteed Securities”) (which Security has been 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 Guaranteed Securities, or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
58
(i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Guaranteed Securities will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Guaranteed Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders of Guaranteed Securities, or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Guaranteed Securities 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) To the extent permissible under applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Securities Guarantee are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Guaranteed Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Securities Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Guaranteed Securities and this Indenture.
(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, then this Securities 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, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of Guaranteed Securities and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of this Securities Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Five hereof, such obligations (regardless of whether due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Securities Guarantee. 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 the Securities Guarantee.
Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Guaranteed Securities, each Holder thereof, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Securities 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 Securities Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the Holders and each Guarantor 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 Fourteen, result in the
59
obligations of such Guarantor under its Securities Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation.
To evidence its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Securities Guarantee substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.3 or established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1, will be endorsed by an officer of such Guarantor on each Guaranteed Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture or a supplement to this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its officers.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Guaranteed Security a notation of such Securities Guarantee.
If an officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Securities Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Guaranteed Security on which a notation of Securities Guarantee is endorsed, the Securities Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Guaranteed Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Securities Guarantee of such Guaranteed Security set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
* * *
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.
| TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||
| [TRUSTEE] | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||
60
Exhibit 4.8
TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
AND
[●]
Trustee
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF , 20
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED, AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF , 20
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION | INDENTURE SECTION | |||||||
Section 310(a)(1) | 6.9 | |||||||
(a)(2) | 6.9 | |||||||
(a)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(a)(4) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(a)(5) | 6.9 | |||||||
(b) | 6.8 | |||||||
Section 311 | 6.13 | |||||||
Section 312(a) | 7.1, 7.2(a) | |||||||
(b) | 7.2(b) | |||||||
(c) | 7.2(c) | |||||||
Section 313(a) | 7.3 | |||||||
(b) | * | |||||||
(c) | * | |||||||
(d) | 7.3 | |||||||
Section 314(a) | 7.4 | |||||||
(a)(4) | 10.5 | |||||||
(b) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(c)(1) | 1.3 | |||||||
(c)(2) | 1.3 | |||||||
(c)(3) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(d) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(e) | 1.3 | |||||||
Section 315(a) | 6.1(a) | |||||||
(b) | 6.2 | |||||||
(c) | 6.1(b) | |||||||
(d) | 6.1(c) | |||||||
(d)(1) | 6.1(a)(1) | |||||||
(d)(2) | 6.1(c)(2) | |||||||
(d)(3) | 6.1(c)(3) | |||||||
(e) | 5.14 | |||||||
Section 316(a) | 1.1, 1.2 | |||||||
(a)(1)(A) | 5.2, 5.12 | |||||||
(a)(1)(B) | 5.13 | |||||||
(a)(2) | Not Applicable | |||||||
(b) | 5.8 | |||||||
(c) | 1.5(f) | |||||||
Section 317(a)(1) | 5.3 | |||||||
(a)(2) | 5.4 | |||||||
(b) | 10.3 | |||||||
Section 318(a) | 1.8 | |||||||
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
* Deemed included pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||||||||||
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | 1 | ||||||||||
Section 1.1. | Definitions | 1 | |||||||||
Section 1.2. | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 8 | |||||||||
Section 1.3. | Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 8 | |||||||||
Section 1.4. | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee | 9 | |||||||||
Section 1.5. | Acts of Holders; Record Dates | 9 | |||||||||
Section 1.6. | Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors | 10 | |||||||||
Section 1.7. | Notice to Holders; Waiver | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.8. | Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.9. | Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.10. | Successors and Assigns | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.11. | Separability Clause | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.12. | Benefits of Indenture | 11 | |||||||||
Section 1.13. | Force Majeure | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.14. | Waiver of Jury Trial | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.15. | Governing Law | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.16. | Legal Holidays | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.17. | Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency | 12 | |||||||||
Section 1.18. | Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency | 13 | |||||||||
Section 1.19. | Language of Notices, Etc. | 13 | |||||||||
Section 1.20. | Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability | 13 | |||||||||
Section 1.21. | U.S.A. PATRIOT Act | 13 | |||||||||
ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS | 14 | ||||||||||
Section 2.1. | Forms Generally | 14 | |||||||||
Section 2.2. | Form of Face of Security | 14 | |||||||||
Section 2.3. | Form of Reverse of Security | 16 | |||||||||
Section 2.4. | Global Securities | 20 | |||||||||
Section 2.5. | Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 21 | |||||||||
ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES | 21 | ||||||||||
Section 3.1. | Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 21 | |||||||||
Section 3.2. | Denominations | 23 | |||||||||
Section 3.3. | Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 23 | |||||||||
Section 3.4. | Temporary Securities | 25 | |||||||||
Section 3.5. | Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 25 | |||||||||
Section 3.6. | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 28 | |||||||||
Section 3.7. | Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved | 28 | |||||||||
Section 3.8. | Persons Deemed Owners | 29 | |||||||||
Section 3.9. | Cancellation | 29 | |||||||||
Section 3.10. | Computation of Interest | 30 | |||||||||
Section 3.11. | CUSIP or CINS Numbers | 30 | |||||||||
ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 30 | ||||||||||
Section 4.1. | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 30 | |||||||||
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| Page | |||||||||||
Section 4.2. | Application of Trust Money | 31 | |||||||||
ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES | 31 | ||||||||||
Section 5.1. | Events of Default | 31 | |||||||||
Section 5.2. | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 32 | |||||||||
Section 5.3. | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 33 | |||||||||
Section 5.4. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 33 | |||||||||
Section 5.5. | Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 33 | |||||||||
Section 5.6. | Application of Money Collected | 34 | |||||||||
Section 5.7. | Limitation on Suits | 34 | |||||||||
Section 5.8. | Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.9. | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.10. | Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.11. | Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.12. | Control by Holders | 35 | |||||||||
Section 5.13. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 36 | |||||||||
Section 5.14. | Undertaking for Costs | 36 | |||||||||
Section 5.15. | Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws | 36 | |||||||||
ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE | 37 | ||||||||||
Section 6.1. | Certain Duties and Responsibilities | 37 | |||||||||
Section 6.2. | Notice of Defaults | 37 | |||||||||
Section 6.3. | Certain Rights of Trustee | 38 | |||||||||
Section 6.4. | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 39 | |||||||||
Section 6.5. | May Hold Securities | 39 | |||||||||
Section 6.6. | Money Held in Trust | 39 | |||||||||
Section 6.7. | Compensation and Reimbursement | 40 | |||||||||
Section 6.8. | Disqualification; Conflicting Interests | 40 | |||||||||
Section 6.9. | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 40 | |||||||||
Section 6.10. | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 41 | |||||||||
Section 6.11. | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 42 | |||||||||
Section 6.12. | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 43 | |||||||||
Section 6.13. | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 43 | |||||||||
Section 6.14. | Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 43 | |||||||||
ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY | 45 | ||||||||||
Section 7.1. | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 45 | |||||||||
Section 7.2. | Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders | 45 | |||||||||
Section 7.3. | Reports by Trustee | 46 | |||||||||
Section 7.4. | Reports by Company | 46 | |||||||||
ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE | 47 | ||||||||||
Section 8.1. | Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms | 47 | |||||||||
Section 8.2. | Successor Substituted | 47 | |||||||||
ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER | 48 | ||||||||||
Section 9.1. | Without Consent of Holders | 48 | |||||||||
Section 9.2. | With Consent of Holders | 49 | |||||||||
Section 9.3. | Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures | 50 | |||||||||
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| Page | |||||||||||
Section 9.4. | Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures | 50 | |||||||||
Section 9.5. | Conformity with Trust Indenture Act | 50 | |||||||||
Section 9.6. | Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures | 50 | |||||||||
Section 9.7. | Effect of Consents | 51 | |||||||||
ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS | 51 | ||||||||||
Section 10.1. | Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest | 51 | |||||||||
Section 10.2. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 51 | |||||||||
Section 10.3. | Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 52 | |||||||||
Section 10.4. | Existence | 53 | |||||||||
Section 10.5. | Statement by Officers as to Default | 53 | |||||||||
ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES | 53 | ||||||||||
Section 11.1. | Applicability of Article | 53 | |||||||||
Section 11.2. | Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 53 | |||||||||
Section 11.3. | Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed | 54 | |||||||||
Section 11.4. | Notice of Redemption | 54 | |||||||||
Section 11.5. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 55 | |||||||||
Section 11.6. | Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 55 | |||||||||
Section 11.7. | Securities Redeemed in Part | 55 | |||||||||
ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS | 55 | ||||||||||
Section 12.1. | Applicability of Article | 55 | |||||||||
Section 12.2. | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 56 | |||||||||
Section 12.3. | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 56 | |||||||||
ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE | 56 | ||||||||||
Section 13.1. | Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 56 | |||||||||
Section 13.2. | Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 56 | |||||||||
Section 13.3. | Covenant Defeasance | 57 | |||||||||
Section 13.4. | Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 57 | |||||||||
Section 13.5. | Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 58 | |||||||||
Section 13.6. | Reinstatement | 59 | |||||||||
ARTICLE FOURTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES | 59 | ||||||||||
Section 14.1. | Securities Guarantee | 59 | |||||||||
Section 14.2. | Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 60 | |||||||||
Section 14.3. | Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation | 60 | |||||||||
ARTICLE FIFTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES | 61 | ||||||||||
Section 15.1. | Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt | 61 | |||||||||
Section 15.2. | No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances | 61 | |||||||||
Section 15.3. | Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc | 62 | |||||||||
Section 15.4. | Subrogation | 63 | |||||||||
Section 15.5. | Obligations of Company Unconditional | 63 | |||||||||
Section 15.6. | Notice to Trustee | 64 | |||||||||
Section 15.7. | Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent | 64 | |||||||||
Section 15.8. | Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt | 65 | |||||||||
Section 15.9. | Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt | 65 | |||||||||
iii
| Page | |||||||||||
Section 15.10. | Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities | 65 | |||||||||
Section 15.11. | Not to Prevent Events of Default | 65 | |||||||||
Section 15.12. | Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced | 65 | |||||||||
Section 15.13. | No Waiver of Subordination Provisions | 65 | |||||||||
Section 15.14. | Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution | 66 | |||||||||
Section 15.15. | Trust Moneys Not Subordinated | 66 | |||||||||
ARTICLE SIXTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES GUARANTEES | 66 | ||||||||||
Section 16.1. | Securities Guarantees Subordinated to Guarantor Senior Debt | 66 | |||||||||
Section 16.2. | No Payment on Securities Guarantees in Certain Circumstances | 66 | |||||||||
Section 16.3. | Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc. | 67 | |||||||||
Section 16.4. | Subrogation | 68 | |||||||||
Section 16.5. | Obligations of Guarantor Unconditional | 69 | |||||||||
Section 16.6. | Notice to Trustee | 69 | |||||||||
Section 16.7. | Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent | 70 | |||||||||
Section 16.8. | Trustee’s Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt | 70 | |||||||||
Section 16.9. | Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of a Guarantor or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt | 70 | |||||||||
Section 16.10. | Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities Guarantees | 71 | |||||||||
Section 16.11. | Not to Prevent Events of Default | 71 | |||||||||
Section 16.12. | Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced | 71 | |||||||||
Section 16.13. | No Waiver of Subordination Provisions | 71 | |||||||||
Section 16.14. | Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution | 71 | |||||||||
NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
iv
PARTIES
INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , among TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined hereinafter) and [●], a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY:
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors, to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) that are required to be a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;
(c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(d) the words “Article” and “Section” refer to an Article and Section, respectively, of this Indenture;
(e) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative definitions; and
(f) references to any officer of any partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers but is managed or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity that does have officers, shall be deemed to be references to the officers of such managing or controlling entity.
Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
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“Additional Defeasible Provision” means a covenant or other provision that is (a) made part of this Indenture pursuant to an indenture supplemental hereto, a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1, and (b) pursuant to the terms set forth in such supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, made subject to the provisions of Article Thirteen.
“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. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.
“Banking Day” means, in respect of any city, any date on which commercial banks are open for business in that city.
“Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.
“Board of Directors” means:
(a) 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;
(b) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;
(c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managers or members thereof or any board or committee serving a similar management function; and
(d) with respect to any other Person, the individual or board or committee of such Person serving a management function similar to those described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or a Guarantor, the principal financial officer of the Company or a Guarantor, any other authorized officer of the Company or a Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, in each case as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution (including the establishment of any series of the Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee, officer or employee of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, authorized to take such action by the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution.
“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.
“CINS” means CUSIP International Numbering System.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor or resulting Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor or resulting Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means, in the case of the Company, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the Company or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at the address specified in Section 3.5 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
“corporation,” when used in reference to the Trustee or any prospective Trustee, shall include any corporation, company, association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust or other entity, in each case, satisfying the requirements of Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
“CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“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, with respect to a series of Securities, any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
“Definitive Security” means a security other than a Global Security or a temporary Security.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.
“Designated Guarantor Senior Debt” shall have the meaning given to such term in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1.
“Designated Senior Debt” shall have the meaning given to such term in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1.
“Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America, which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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“Foreign Currency” means a currency used by the government of a country other than the United States of America.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in (1) the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification and any related Accounting Standards Updates by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (2) such other statements by such other entity as are approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (3) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
“Global Security” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of a series of Securities and is authenticated and delivered to, and registered in the name of, the Depositary for the Securities of such series or its nominee.
“Guaranteed Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.
“Guarantor” means each Person that becomes a guarantor of any Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Guarantor Senior Debt” means, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 3.1, (a) all Debt of a Guarantor, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities Guarantee or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities Guarantee, and (b) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no event shall “Guarantor Senior Debt” include (i) Debt of a Guarantor owed or owing to any Subsidiary of such Guarantor or any officer, director or employee of such Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Guarantor, (ii) Debt to trade creditors or (iii) any liability for taxes owed or owing by a Guarantor.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument, and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be part of and govern this instrument and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” also shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
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“Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(c) or Section 5.1(d).
“Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of the Company, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.
“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date
of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof on such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more currencies or currency units other than U.S. dollars shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent of such currencies or currency units, determined in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 on the date of original issuance of such Security or by Section 1.17, if not otherwise so provided pursuant to Section 3.1, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent (as so determined) on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any
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such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
“Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 15.2.
“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof, the original issue date or dates thereof, the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, and any other terms specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 3.1, the office or agency of the Company and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
“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), including any Vice President, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer, assistant trust officer or assistant controller assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, 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 and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
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“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Guarantee” means each guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities by a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions hereof.
“Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 16.2.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
“Senior Debt” means, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 3.1, (a) all Debt of the Company, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities, and (b) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no event shall “Senior Debt” include (i) Debt of the Company owed or owing to any Subsidiary of the Company or any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) Debt to trade creditors or (iii) any liability for taxes owed or owing by the Company.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 3.7.
“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means (a) a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries or (b) any partnership or other business organization more than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which is so owned. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means capital stock or equity interests which ordinarily have voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.5; provided, however, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
“U.S. Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
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“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, the Guarantor (if applicable) or any other obligor on the indenture securities.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by a Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 10.5) shall include:
(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) 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;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
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Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (either physically or by means of a facsimile or an electronic transmission, provided that such electronic transmission is transmitted through the facilities of a Depositary) by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company or the Guarantors. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of commencement of such Person’s holding of same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors in reliance thereon, regardless of whether notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to give or take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by
9
one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any different part of such principal amount.
(f) The Company may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, regardless of whether such Holders remain Holders after such record date.
Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors.
(a) Any notice, request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other communication by the Company, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile, electronic mail in .pdf format or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:
TETRA Technologies, Inc.
24955 Interstate 45 North
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Telephone: (281) 367-1983
Facsimile: (281) 364-4346
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
[●]
[●]
[●]
[●]
Facsimile: [●]
Attention: [●]
If to the Trustee:
[●]
[●]
[●]
[●]
[●]
Facsimile: [●]
Attention: [●]
(b) The Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
(c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders, unless mailed in the manner herein prescribed) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; 3 Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; at the time delivered, if by electronic mail in pdf. format, and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
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Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and (i) mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, or (ii) in the case of Global Securities, electronically transmitted, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed or sent to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, regardless of whether such Holder actually receives such notice.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depository, including by electronic mail in accordance with rules and procedures of the Depository.
Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by each of the Company and the Guarantors shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.11. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
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Section 1.13. 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, fire, riots, strikes, work stoppages, embargos, governmental actions or any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, 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 which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.
Section 1.15. Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 1.16. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee (other than a provision of the Securities of any series or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee that specifically states that such
provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.16)) payment of interest or principal and any premium need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and if payment is so made, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.
Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency.
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any affected series which are denominated in a coin, currency or currencies other than Dollars (including, but not limited to, any composite currency, currency units or Foreign Currency), then the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 1.17, the term “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent available date. If such Market Exchange Rate is not so available for any reason with respect to such currency, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations or rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of Euros shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such other quotations or rates of exchange as appropriate shall be used. The
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provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
In no event will the Trustee have any duty or liability regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph.
Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency.
Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the Banking Day next preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (regardless of whether entered in accordance with subclause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.
Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
Section 1.20. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in this Indenture or of or contained in any Security or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager, employee, partner or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, either directly or through the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.
Section 1.21. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
The Company acknowledges that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions, 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 Company agrees to provide the
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Trustee with such information as it may request to enable the Trustee to comply with the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Securities Guarantee, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, any notation of the Securities Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution thereof.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The forms of Global Securities of any series shall have such provisions and legends as are customary for Securities of such series in global form, including without limitation any legend required by the Depositary for the Securities of such series.
Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security.
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security and is not “publicly offered” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-1(h), insert-FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS [. . . . . . . .% OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT] [$. . . . PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT], THE ISSUE DATE IS . . . . . ., 20. . . AND, THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS . . . . . . . . , COMPOUNDED [SEMIANNUALLY OR OTHER PROPER PERIOD].
[In the alternative instead of providing such legend, insert the following legend-FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, AND. . . . . . . [THE NAME OR TITLE AND ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY] WILL, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, THE YIELD TO MATURITY AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS.]
[Insert any other legend required by the Code or the regulations thereunder.]
[If a Global Security,-insert legend required by Section 2.4 of the Indenture] [If applicable, insert -UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY
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TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
[TITLE OF SECURITY]
| No. . . . . . . | U.S. $. . . . . . | ||||
[CUSIP No. ]
TETRA Technologies, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ......................................................, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ................. ................................................ United States Dollars on ........................................ [If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert-, and to pay interest thereon from ........... or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on ......... and .............. in each year, commencing ..........., at the rate of . . . . % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert-, and at the rate of % per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any installment of interest (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)].
The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the . . . . or . . . . (regardless of whether a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert-The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of . . . .% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of . . . . % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
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[If a Global Security, insert-Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert-any such] interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in designated by the Holder 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 [state other currency].]
[If a Definitive Security, insert-Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert-any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in , 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] [state other currency] [or subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such Paying Agent, at the [main] offices of in , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check drawn on, or transfer to a [United States Dollar] account maintained by the payee with, a bank in The City of New York (so long as the applicable Paying Agency has received proper transfer instructions in writing at least days prior to the payment date)] [if applicable, insert-; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check mailed to the addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear in the Security Register] [or by transfer to a [United States Dollar] [state other currency] account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York [state other Place of Payment] (so long as the applicable Paying Agent has received proper transfer instructions in writing by the record date prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date)].]
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:
| TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of subordinated securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of , 20 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and [●], as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $ . . . . . . . . . . ].
This security is the general, unsecured, subordinated obligation of the Company [if applicable, insert-and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Securities Guarantee”) by [insert name of each Guarantor]
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(the “Guarantors”). The Securities Guarantee is the general, unsecured, subordinated obligation of each Guarantor.]
[If applicable, insert-The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than ... days’ notice by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities), [if applicable, insert-(1) on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] at any time [on or after . . . . . . . . . ., 20. . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [on or before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . . . of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price | Year | Redemption Price | ||||||||
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert-(whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert-The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than... nor more than ... days’ notice by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities), (1) on . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [on or after . . . . . . . . . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the years indicated,
| Year | Redemption Price For Redemption Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | Redemption Price for Redemption Otherwise Than Through Operation of the Sinking Fund | ||||||
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert-Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to . . . . . . . . . ., redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than . . . .% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert-The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on . . . . . . . . . . . . in each year beginning with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . of [not less than] $ . . . . . . . . . . . . [ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $ . . . . . . . . . . . . ] aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. [Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [If applicable, insert- in the inverse order in which they become due].]
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[If the Securities are subject to redemption in part of any kind, insert-In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert-The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to Stated Maturity.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security,-If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security,-If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to -insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, regardless of whether notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place(s) and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
[If a Global Security, insert-This Global Security or portion hereof may not be exchanged for Definitive Securities of this series except in the limited circumstances provided in the Indenture. The holders of beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities except as described in the Indenture and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.]
[If a Definitive Security, insert-As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in [if applicable, insert-any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable] [if applicable, insert-The City of New York [, or, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (limited as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such transfer agent, at the [main] offices of in or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate]], duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and
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thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.]
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of U.S. $ . . . . . . . . and any integral multiple of $ . . . . . . . . in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, [If applicable, insert-any Guarantor,] the Trustee and any agent of the Company [If applicable, insert-, a Guarantor] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, regardless of whether this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, [If applicable, insert-the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
This Security is subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt [If applicable, insert-and the Securities Guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to Guarantor Senior Debt], to the extent and in the manner provided in the Indenture.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [If applicable, insert-, or the Securities Guarantee endorsed thereon,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company [If applicable, insert-or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company [If applicable, insert-or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.
The Indenture provides that the Company [If applicable, insert-and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if the Company [If applicable, insert-or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Except as otherwise defined herein, all terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
[If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page-
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FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
| (Please Print or Type Name and Address of Assignee) | |||||
the within instrument of TETRA Technologies, Inc. and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:
| Dated: | |||||||||||
| (Signature) | |||||||||||
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.]
[If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Securities Guarantee-
Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of this series and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities of this series by the Company.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities of this series and to the Trustee pursuant to the Securities Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Securities Guarantee.
| Guarantors: | |||||||||||
| [NAME OF EACH GUARANTOR] | |||||||||||
| By: | |||||||||||
| ] | |||||||||||
Section 2.4. Global Securities.
Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
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EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (i) of Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 3.2, any Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as the case may be, to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any reduction or increase in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in a Company Order. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3, Section 3.4 and Section 3.5, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. Any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel).
The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction or increase, as the case may be, in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.3.
Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee’s certificate(s) of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated [insert title of applicable series] referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [●], as Trustee | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Authorized Officer | ||||||||
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued);
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(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(c) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the formula, method or provision pursuant to which such rate or rates are determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method of determination thereof, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, including the first Interest Payment Date, and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
(f) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(g) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(i) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(j) whether payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be without deduction for taxes, assessments or governmental charges paid by Holders of the series;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
(l) if the amount of payments of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(m) if and as applicable, that the Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global Security or Global Securities and any circumstances other than those set forth in Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be transferred to, and registered and exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be registered;
(n) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.1 or the covenants of the Company set forth in Article Ten with respect to the Securities of such series;
(o) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;
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(p) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(q) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Company, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Company or its Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof;
(r) if other than as provided in Section 13.2 and Section 13.3, the means of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as may be specified for the Securities of the series;
(s) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the initial Security Registrar and any initial Paying Agent;
(t) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed pursuant to the Securities Guarantee set forth in Article Fourteen, any modifications to the terms of Article Fourteen applicable to the Securities of such series and the applicability of any other guarantees; and
(u) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities and issuances of additional Securities of such series or for the establishment of additional terms with respect to the Securities of such series.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the series.
With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may provide general terms for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors or one or more agents thereof designated in an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with a Company Order.
Section 3.2. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Any notation of Securities Guarantee endorsed on the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial
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Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on any notation of the Securities Guarantee may be manual or facsimile.
Securities and any notation of a Securities Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to a Company Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on such Board Resolution and shall be entitled to receive such documents as it may reasonably request. The Trustee shall also be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 3.1 and complying with Section 1.3 and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 1.3 stating:
(a) if the form or forms of such Securities has been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that each such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b) if the terms of such Securities have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject, in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; and
(c) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions and assumptions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Securities Guarantees thereof will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the following limitations: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, or to general equity principles, (ii) the availability of equitable remedies being subject to the discretion of the court to which application therefor is made; and (iii) such other usual and customary matters as shall be specified in such Opinion of Counsel.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of
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such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, on the form or forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security nor any related Securities Guarantee shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series and tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.
Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment required by Section 10.2 a register (the register maintained in such office being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed as the initial “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided, and its Corporate Trust Office, which, at the date hereof, is located at [●], is the initial office or agency where the Securities Register will be maintained. The Company may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency.
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Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 10.2 for such purpose, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 11.3 is sent and ending at the close of business on the day of the delivery thereof, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to any particular series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred, except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security except as provided in the two paragraphs immediately following.
If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible to continue as Depositary under Section 3.1 or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.1 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Company and, if applicable, the
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Guarantors will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities registered in the names of such Persons as the Depositary shall direct.
If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities in definitive registered form, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge:
(a) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
(b) to such Depositary a new Global Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (a) above.
Every Person who takes or holds any beneficial interest in a Global Security agrees that:
(i) the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee may deal with the Depositary as sole owner of the Global Security and as the authorized representative of such Person;
(ii) such Person’s rights in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those rights established by law and agreement between such Person and the Depositary and/or direct and indirect participants of the Depositary;
(iii) the Depositary and its participants make book-entry transfers of beneficial ownership among, and receive and transmit distributions of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Global Securities to, such Persons in accordance with their own procedures; and
(iv) none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the Trustee, nor any agent of any of them will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
The transferor of any Security shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information. In connection with any proposed exchange of a Definitive Security for a Global Security, the Company or the Depositary shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The
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Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) or the Trustee to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company 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 Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, regardless of whether the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate
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amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Company shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest that shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such Special Record Date and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid (or sent by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities), to each Holder of Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed or sent, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
The Trustee will not have any duty to determine whether any Defaulted Interest is payable or the amount thereof.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, regardless of whether such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor, if applicable, the Guarantors nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent of any thereof as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.
Section 3.9. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder that the
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Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP or CINS numbers (if then generally in use, and in addition to the other identification numbers printed on the Securities), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or CINS numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such CUSIP or CINS numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such CUSIP or CINS numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in “CUSIP” or “CINS” number.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect and will be discharged with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and certain rights of the Trustee, in each case, herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon Company Request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when:
(a) either:
(i) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, and (B) such Securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(A) have become due and payable; or
(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or
(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (ii)(A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with instructions from the Company irrevocably directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
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(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of any series, (x) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 6.10 shall survive, and (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.2, Section 6.6, Section 10.2, the last paragraph of Section 10.3 and Section 13.6 shall survive.
Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for the payment of which such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 5.1. Events of Default.
“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or
(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten in this Indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail or electronic transmission, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in this Indenture (other than a covenant in Article Ten or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail or electronic transmission, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at
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least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
(e) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of the creditors of the Company; or
(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days; or
(g) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
(h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in accordance with Section 3.1.
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest of all of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 5.1 occurs, the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article Five provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
(i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;
(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series that has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and
(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or
(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof);
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, 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.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities, their property or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such 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 of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due 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 6.7.
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No provision of this Indenture 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, compromise, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;
SECOND: Subject to Article Fifteen, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.
Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture (including, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee), or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the
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rights of any other Holder of the same series of Security, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holder of the same series of Security or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the same series of Security (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder affects, disturbs or prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains priority or preference over such other Holders).
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional (subject to Article Fifteen and Article Sixteen), to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that:
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
(b) the Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it being furnished prior to taking such action;
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(c) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and
(d) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine that the direction would expose the Trustee to personal liability or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to determine whether or not any such direction is unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in giving such direction); provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
By written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:
(a) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or interest on any Security of such series; or
(b) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
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 5.14. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant, other than the Trustee, in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.14 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).
Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
Each of the Company and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or 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, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Company and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
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ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series:
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and as are provided by the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) 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; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, given pursuant to Section 5.12, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Regardless of whether therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and written notice is given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee as provided in Section 6.3(j), within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by first-class mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold from
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Holders of Securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and, provided, further, that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(d) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.
Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness 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) any request or direction of the Company or a Guarantor mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) shall be entitled to receive an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance on such certificate or opinion;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall 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;
(e) the Trustee shall 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 pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder and shall not be responsible for the supervision of officers and employees of such agents or attorneys;
(h) the Trustee may request that the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
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(i) the Trustee shall be entitled to the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article Six in acting as a Paying Agent or Security Registrar hereunder;
(j) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice of any event that is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume no such Default or Event of Default exists;
(k) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take that it believes in good faith to be authorized or within its powers conferred upon it by this Indenture or pursuant to applicable law;
(l) the Trustee shall not be required to provide any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers in respect of this Indenture or otherwise;
(m) under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual or any other capacity for the obligations evidenced by any Securities;
(n) anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Company has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and
(o) before taking any action or refraining from taking any action, the Trustee may require that indemnity satisfactory to it be furnished for the reimbursement of all expenses to which it may be put and to protect it against all liability, including costs incurred in defending itself against any and all charges, claims, complaints, allegations, assertions or demands of any nature whatsoever, except liability which is adjudicated by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of the Trustee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with any such action.
Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness.
Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent makes any representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.5. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Section 6.8, Section 6.9 and Section 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors.
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Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as agreed to in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as has been adjudicated by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its own negligence or willful misconduct; and
(c) to indemnify, defend and protect each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, agents and employees for, and to hold it and them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, cost or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the earnings or income of the Trustee) and court costs, that the Trustee actually incurs and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 6.7) and defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder; except in any case, any such loss, liability, damage, cost or expense as has been adjudicated by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from any of its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such. Such obligations of the Company under this Section shall not be subordinated to the payment of Senior Debt pursuant to Article Fifteen.
Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.
The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Legal Defeasance of the Securities.
Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
Reference is made to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. There shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act this Indenture with respect to the Securities of more than one series.
Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus required by the Trust Indenture Act, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Trustee shall not be an obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate thereof. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of
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this Section, then it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee (at the Company’s expense) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by 30 days’ written notice delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a Custodian of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series), and the Company and the successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months
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may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, the successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest
in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of the series to which the appointment of such successor relates and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
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(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail (or send by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) a notice of its succession to the Company and the Holders of the Securities then Outstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand;
(b) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
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provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be qualified and eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that shall be acceptable to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and shall mail (or send by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| [●], as Trustee | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| As Authenticating Agent | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Authorized Officer | ||||||||
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ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list for such series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, with respect to each series of Securities, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a); or
(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the SEC, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of
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such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) nor the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.2(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.2(b).
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.
Any Trustee’s report required pursuant to Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be dated as of May 15, and shall be transmitted within 60 days after May 15 of each year (but in all events at intervals of not more than 12 months), commencing with the year 20__, by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, and with the SEC. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.4. Reports by Company.
The Company shall:
(a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(c) transmit by mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.
The Company will be deemed to have furnished each report required by (a) and (b) above to the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities if it has filed such report with the SEC using the EDGAR filing system and such report is publicly available.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s and the Guarantors’ compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall have no obligation or responsibility to determine whether the Company is required to file any report or other information with the
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SEC, whether the Company’s information is available on EDGAR (or any successor thereto) or whether the Company has otherwise delivered any notice or report in accordance with the requirements specified in this Section 7.4.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not convert into, or consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, convey, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to any other Person unless:
(a) either: (i) the Company is the surviving Person; or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made assumes by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(d) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with and the supplemental indenture is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company.
Section 8.2. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors on a consolidated basis in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company and, if applicable, each of the Guarantors shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
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ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.
The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities without the consent of any holder of a Security:
(a) to cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein; or
(b) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and, to the extent applicable, of the Securities; or
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in the manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; or
(d) to add a Securities Guarantee and cause any Person to become a Guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities of any series, and/or to cause any corporate subsidiary of the Company to become a co-issuer of the Securities of any series; or
(e) to secure the Securities of any series; or
(f) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults), may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; or
(g) to make any change to any provision of this Indenture that does not materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities; or
(h) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture; or
(i) to add any additional Events of Default in respect of all or any series of Securities; or
(j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; or
(k) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
(l) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, including to reopen any series of any Securities as permitted under Section 3.1; or
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(m) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or
(n) to conform the text of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued hereunder to any provision of a description of such text or Securities appearing in a prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or offering circular pursuant to which such Securities were offered to the extent that such provision was intended by the Company to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities or Securities Guarantee issued hereunder, with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate; or
(o) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders.
The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee and the Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities) and, subject to Section 5.8 and Section 5.13 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities may be waived with respect to each series of Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities).
It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company will mail (or send by electronic transmission in the case of Global Securities) to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date therefor); or
(b) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or
(c) modify any of the provisions of Section 5.8 or Section 5.13; or
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(d) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security; provided, however, that (i) any purchase or repurchase of Securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the Securities and (ii) any amendment to the minimum notice requirement may be made with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture; or
(e) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Securities Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
(f) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.
An amendment or supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived and such amendment or supplemental indenture is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and Guarantors (if any), the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture unless such amendment or supplemental indenture adversely 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 amendment or supplemental Indenture.
Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment or supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or
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supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such amendment or supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
Section 9.7. Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security of a series is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Security of such series and every subsequent Holder of a Security of such series or portion of a Security of such series that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security of such series, even if the notation of the consent is not made on any Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder of the Securities of such series.
With respect to any consent, waiver or amendment of this Indenture relating to the Securities of a particular series, neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Securities of such series for or as an inducement to any such consent, waiver or amendment unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Securities of such series that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment; provided however, nothing herein shall require the Company or any Guarantor to seek consent of all the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such proposed consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or otherwise relating to the Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or Security Registrar or agent of the Trustee or Security Registrar) where Securities of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment and surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will 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 Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail 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 Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will 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.
Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Company’s office or agency for each such purpose for each series of Securities. The Trustee shall initially serve as Paying
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Agent. In the event the Company makes any payment in any currency in which the Trustee is unable to pay, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee to make such payment and the Trustee will have no obligations with respect to such payment and will incur no liability with respect to the failure by the Company or such other Paying Agent to make, or cause to be made, such payment.
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. For purposes of this Section 10.3, should a due date for principal of or any premium or interest on, or sinking fund payment with respect to, any series of Securities not be on a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day without any interest for the period from the due date until such Business Day.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(b) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal or any premium or interest on the Securities of that series; and
(c) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Subject to any applicable escheat or abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying
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Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4. Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor (subject to the provisions in a resolution or supplemental indenture establishing a series of Securities that permits the consolidation amalgamation, merger of a Guarantor under the conditions specified therein) will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company and, if applicable, each Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default.
Annually, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and, if applicable, such Guarantor, stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made, and as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s or
such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if any Event of Default applicable to the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall have occurred and be continuing, specifying all such Events of Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven.
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 15 days prior to the last date for the giving of notice of such redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of the
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Securities of the series to be redeemed, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, pro rata (or, in the cases of securities in global form, in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary in the case of Global Securities) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If the Securities of any series to be redeemed consist of Securities having different dates on which the principal is payable or different rates of interest, or different methods by which interest may be determined or have any other different tenor or terms, then the Company may, by written notice to the Trustee, direct that the Securities of such series to be redeemed shall be selected from among the groups of such Securities having specified tenor or terms and the Trustee shall thereafter select the particular Securities to be redeemed in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph from among the group of such Securities so specified.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or sent electronically in the case of Global Securities, in each case, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(a) the name of the Securities, including series and issue date, CUSIP numbers, interest rate, maturity date and certificate numbers;
(b) the Redemption Date;
(c) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
(d) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
(e) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
(f) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
(g) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and
(h) the conditions, if any, to which such redemption shall be subject.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the
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Company; provided, however, that the notice delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof requests that the Trustee give such notice of redemption and sets forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest, or fail to pay the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest as a result of any failure of any condition to which such redemption is subject to be satisfied or waived) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series as contemplated in Section 3.1, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article Twelve shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking
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fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the
election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not been previously so credited, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE
Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution, and at any time, elect to have either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof be applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.
Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.2, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 13.5 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities, the Securities Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the
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expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions, which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 13.4 hereof;
(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 hereof;
(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee under Article Six hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(d) this Article Thirteen.
Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the same series of Securities.
Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be released from each of their obligations with respect to the Securities of such series under the covenants contained in Section 7.4, Section 8.1 and Section 10.4 hereof as well as any Additional Defeasible Provisions (such release and termination hereinafter referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such 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 such Securities will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Securities Guarantee, the Company and the Guarantors may fail 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 failure to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Securities Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, any Event of Default that constitutes an Additional Defeasible Provision will no longer constitute an Event of Default.
Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any series of Securities under either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof:
(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;
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(b) in the case of an election under Section 13.2 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:
(i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(ii) since the Issue Date, 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 will state that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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;
(c) in the case of an election under Section 13.3 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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;
(d) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities 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);
(e) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;
(f) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must 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 Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;
(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;
(h) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with; and
(i) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with.
Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 13.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities 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 Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section
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13.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 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 13.4(a) 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 13.6. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the Securities of any series, 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 Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and the Securities Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee.
(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article Fourteen, each of the Guarantors hereby fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(t) (the Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Guaranteed
Securities”) (which Security has been 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 Guaranteed Securities, or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
(i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Guaranteed Securities will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Guaranteed Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders of Guaranteed Securities, or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Guaranteed Securities 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.
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(b) To the extent permissible under applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Securities Guarantee are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Guaranteed Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Securities Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Guaranteed Securities and this Indenture.
(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, then this Securities 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, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of Guaranteed Securities and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of this Securities Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Five hereof, such obligations (regardless of whether due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Securities Guarantee. 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 the Securities Guarantee.
Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Guaranteed Securities, each Holder thereof, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Securities 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 Securities Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the Holders and each Guarantor 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 Fourteen, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Securities Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation.
To evidence its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Securities Guarantee substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.3 or established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1, will be endorsed by an officer of such Guarantor on each Guaranteed Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture or a supplement to this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its officers.
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Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Guaranteed Security a notation of such Securities Guarantee.
If an officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Securities Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Guaranteed Security on which a notation of Securities Guarantee is endorsed, the Securities Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Guaranteed Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Securities Guarantee of such Guaranteed Security set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 15.1. Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Fifteen; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that the payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Fifteen, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all existing and future Senior Debt.
Section 15.2. No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.
(a) No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Company of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities or upon acceleration or otherwise, shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Designated Senior Debt and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior Debt.
(b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect to any Designated Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Debt (or the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of such Designated Senior Debt then outstanding), no payment of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by or on behalf of the Company upon or in respect of the Securities for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days thereafter (unless, in each case, such Payment Blockage Period has been terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Designated Senior Debt or such event of default has been cured or waived). Not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities during any period of 360 consecutive days. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180 consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Payment Blockage Period is in effect. No event of default that existed or was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Debt initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis for the commencement of a second
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Payment Blockage Period by the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Debt, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by clause (a) or (b) above, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Debt may have been issued, and any excess above such amounts due and owing on Senior Debt shall be paid to the Company.
Section 15.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.
(a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, assignment of assets for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by (or on behalf of) the Company on account of the Securities, or any payment to acquire any of the Securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, the Company on any Security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled, but for the provisions of this Article Fifteen, shall be made by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or the Trustee if received by them or it, to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Debt may have been issued, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.
(b) To the extent any payment of Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of the Company, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other similar Person, the Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Senior Debt is declared to be fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then the obligation so declared fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside (and all other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Senior Debt for all purposes hereof as if such declaration or setting aside had not occurred.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the provision in clause (a) above prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by clause (a) above and before all obligations in respect of
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Senior Debt are paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Debt may have been issued, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.
(d) For purposes of this Section 15.3, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause is not to cause the Securities to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar event described in this Section 15.3 as part of the same class of claims as the Senior Debt or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the Senior Debt for any payment or distribution, securities of the Company or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the extent that the Securities are subordinated, to the payment of all Senior Debt then outstanding; provided that (i) if a new Person results from such reorganization or readjustment, such Person assumes the Senior Debt and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided in Section 8.1 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.3 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, comply (to the extent required) with the conditions stated in Section 8.1 of this Indenture.
Section 15.4. Subrogation.
(a) Upon the payment in full of all Senior Debt in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions to the holders of Senior Debt of cash, property or securities of the Company made on such Senior Debt until the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Fifteen, and no payment pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen to the holders of Senior Debt by the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Debt. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Fifteen are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand.
(b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Fifteen shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen, to the payment of all amounts payable under Senior Debt, then, and in such case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior Debt in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of such Senior Debt of such holders.
Section 15.5. Obligations of Company Unconditional.
(a) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company and the Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their
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behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Fifteen of the holders of the Senior Debt.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Fifteen will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their Stated Maturity pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Indenture or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Senior Debt then due and payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from the Company with respect to any Security.
Section 15.6. Notice to Trustee.
(a) The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen. Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to any Senior Debt or of any other facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an officer of the Company, or by a holder of Senior Debt or trustee or agent thereof referencing this Indenture and the Securities; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Six, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that, if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 15.6 at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any monies from the Company and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such three Business Day period except for an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 15.6 shall limit the right of the holders of Senior Debt to recover payments as contemplated by this Article Fifteen. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying Agent is the Company. The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Debt or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.
(b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Fifteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Fifteen and, if such evidence is not furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.
Section 15.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in this Article Fifteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other Debt of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Fifteen.
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Section 15.8. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt.
(a) Each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Fifteen with respect to any Senior Debt that may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.
(b) With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Fifteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Fifteen or otherwise.
Section 15.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt.
No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as provided in this Article Fifteen will at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article Fifteen are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Senior Debt.
Section 15.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities.
Each Holder by such Holder’s acceptance of any Securities authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Fifteen, and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of the Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Securities in the form required in those proceedings.
Section 15.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default.
The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities by reason of any provision of this Article Fifteen will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.
Section 15.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced.
Nothing in this Article Fifteen will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of this Indenture, including Section 6.7.
Section 15.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 15.9, the holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Fifteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or
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renew or alter, Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.
Section 15.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution.
Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (a) the Company, except under the conditions described in Section 15.2 or Section 15.3, from making payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities, or from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the purpose of making such payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 15.2(b) of this Indenture (or there shall have been an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application) or in Section 15.6 of this Indenture. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company.
Section 15.15. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article Four by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Debt (provided that, at the time deposited, such deposit did not violate any then outstanding Senior Debt), and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to any holder of Senior Debt.
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES GUARANTEES
Section 16.1. Securities Guarantees Subordinated to Guarantor Senior Debt.
Each Guarantor covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its acceptance of a Securities Guarantee, likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities Guarantees shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Sixteen; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that the payment of all obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantees shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Sixteen, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all existing and future Guarantor Senior Debt of such Guarantor.
Section 16.2. No Payment on Securities Guarantees in Certain Circumstances.
(a) No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of any Guarantor of any obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantees (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities Guarantees or upon acceleration or otherwise, shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Designated Guarantor Senior Debt of such Guarantor and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.
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(b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect to any Designated Guarantor Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt (or the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt then outstanding), no payment of any obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantees (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by or on behalf of any Guarantor upon or in respect of the Securities Guarantees for a period (a “Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days thereafter (unless, in each case, such Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period has been terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt or such event of default has been cured or waived). Not more than one Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities Guarantees during any period of 360 consecutive days. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180 consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period is in effect. No event of default that existed or was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Guarantor Senior Debt initiating such Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis for the commencement of a second Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period by the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by clause (a) or (b) above, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, and any excess above such amounts due and owing on Guarantor Senior Debt shall be paid to such Guarantor.
Section 16.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.
(a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of a Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of such Guarantor, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, assignment of assets for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of such Guarantor, all amounts due or to become due upon all Guarantor Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by (or on behalf of) such Guarantor on account of the Securities Guarantees, or any payment to acquire any of the Securities Guarantees for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Securities Guarantees of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, any Guarantor on any Securities Guarantee (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of such Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled, but for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, shall be made by such Guarantor or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or the Trustee if received by them or it, to the
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trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Guarantor for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, to the extent necessary to pay all such Guarantor Senior Debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.
(b) To the extent any payment of Guarantor Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of any Guarantor, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other similar Person, the Guarantor Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Guarantor Senior Debt is declared to be fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then the obligation so declared fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside (and all other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Guarantor Senior Debt for all purposes hereof as if such declaration or setting aside had not occurred.
(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the provision in clause (a) above prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of any Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by clause (a) above and before all obligations in respect of Guarantor Senior Debt are paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Guarantor for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.
(d) For purposes of this Section 16.3, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause is not to cause the Securities Guarantees to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar event described in this Section 16.3 as part of the same class of claims as the Guarantor Senior Debt or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the Guarantor Senior Debt for any payment or distribution, securities of any Guarantor or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the extent that the Securities Guarantees are subordinated, to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt then outstanding; provided that (i) if a new Person results from such reorganization or readjustment, such Person assumes the Guarantor Senior Debt and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of a Guarantor with, or the merger of a Guarantor with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of a Guarantor following the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another Person without violation of the terms and conditions provided in this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 16.3.
Section 16.4. Subrogation.
(a) Upon the payment in full of all Guarantor Senior Debt in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Guarantors made on such Guarantor Senior Debt until all obligations
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arising under the Securities Guarantees shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, and no payment pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt by the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between each Guarantor, its creditors other than holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by such Guarantor to or on account of the Guarantor Senior Debt. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt, on the other hand.
(b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Sixteen shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen, to the payment of all amounts payable under Guarantor Senior Debt, then, and in such case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Guarantor Senior Debt in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of such Guarantor Senior Debt of such holders.
Section 16.5. Obligations of Guarantor Unconditional.
(a) Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Guarantors and the Holders, the obligation of such Guarantors, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders all obligations arising under the Securities Guarantees as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Guarantors other than the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Sixteen of the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Sixteen will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their Stated Maturity pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Indenture or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Guarantor Senior Debt then due and payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from any Guarantor with respect to its Securities Guarantee.
Section 16.6. Notice to Trustee.
(a) Each Guarantor shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to such Guarantor that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities Guarantees pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen. Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to any Guarantor Senior Debt of any Guarantor or of any other facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an Officer of such Guarantor referencing this Indenture and the Securities; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Six, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that, if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of all obligations arising under any Securities Guarantee), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any monies from such Guarantor and to apply the same to the purpose for which they
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were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such three Business Day period except for an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 16.6 shall limit the right of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt to recover payments as contemplated by this Article Sixteen. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying Agent is the Company. The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Guarantor Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Guarantor Senior Debt or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.
(b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Guarantor Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Guarantor Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen and, if such evidence is not furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.
Section 16.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt and other Debt of a Guarantor, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.
Section 16.8. Trustee’s Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt.
(a) Each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen with respect to any Guarantor Senior Debt that may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Guarantor Senior Debt and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.
(b) With respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Sixteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities Guarantees or to a Guarantor or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Guarantor Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Sixteen or otherwise.
Section 16.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of a Guarantor or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.
No right of any present or future holders of any Guarantor Senior Debt to enforce subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen will at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of a Guarantor or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by such Guarantor with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof
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that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article Sixteen are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.
Section 16.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities Guarantees.
Each Holder by such Holder’s acceptance of any Securities Guarantees authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen, and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of a Guarantor (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of such Guarantor, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Securities Guarantees in the form required in those proceedings. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of indebtedness in the form required in such proceeding at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim or proof, each holder of Guarantor Senior Debt is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders.
Section 16.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default.
The failure to fulfill any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantees by reason of any provision of this Article Sixteen will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.
Section 16.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced.
Nothing in this Article Sixteen will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of this Indenture, including Section 6.7.
Section 16.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 16.9, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Guarantor Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Guarantor Senior Debt is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Guarantor Senior Debt; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.
Section 16.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution.
Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (a) a Guarantor, except under the conditions described in Section 16.2 or Section 16.3, from fulfilling any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantees, or from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the purpose of fulfilling any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantees to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 16.2(b) of this Indenture (or there shall have been an acceleration of the Securities Guarantees prior to such application) or in Section 16.6 of this Indenture.
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The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of such Guarantor.
* * *
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This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.
| TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||
| [TRUSTEE] | ||||||||
| By: | ||||||||
| Name: | ||||||||
| Title: | ||||||||
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Exhibit 5.1
May 12, 2025
TETRA Technologies Inc.
24955 Interstate 45 North
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for TETRA Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and certain of its subsidiaries with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the preparation and filing by the Company of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), filed on or about the date hereof with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer and sale from time to time (the “Offering”) of up to $400 million aggregate amount of the Company’s (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) debt securities, which may be either senior or subordinated and may be issued in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Debt Securities”), and which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the “Guarantees”) by the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”); (iv) warrants for the purchase of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Rights or Units (the “Warrants”); (v) rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants or Units (the “Rights”), and (vi) units consisting of two or more of the foregoing securities of the Company (the “Units” and, together with the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Guarantees, the Warrants and the Rights, the “Securities”).
We have also participated in the preparation of the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) contained in the Registration Statement to which this opinion is an exhibit.
In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined, among other things, (i) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated May 24, 2023, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment thereto (together, the “Certificate”); (ii) the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated May 24, 2023 (the “Bylaws”); (iii) the records of corporate proceedings that have occurred prior to the date hereof with respect to the Offering; (iv) the organizational documents of the Subsidiary Guarantors; (v) the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus; (vi) the Form of Senior Indenture and Form of Subordinated Indenture for Debt Securities (each, an “Indenture”) filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and (viii) such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. We have also reviewed such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. As to matters of fact relevant to the opinions expressed herein, and as to factual matters arising in connection with our examination of corporate documents, records and other documents and writings, we relied upon certificates and other communications of corporate officers of the Company, without further investigation as to the facts set forth therein.
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 | May 12, 2025 Page 2 | ||||
In connection with rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that (i) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (ii) all signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine; (iii) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the originals of those documents; (iv) the Registration Statement and any subsequent amendments (including additional post-effective amendments) will be effective and comply with all applicable laws; (v) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner specified in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement(s); (vi) the Indenture and, if applicable, the related Guarantees will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (vii) one or more prospectus supplements will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby; (viii) the Indenture, and any supplemental indenture relating to a particular series of Debt Securities, will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto in substantially the form reviewed by us; (ix) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (x) any securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units being offered will have been duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1.With respect to shares of Common Stock, when both (i) the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of and the terms of the offering of the shares of Common Stock and related matters and (ii) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered, and delivered (or non-certificated shares of Common Stock shall have been properly issued) either (A) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement approved by the Board or such officers upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein or (B) upon conversion or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Common Stock), then the shares of Common Stock will be legally issued, fully paid, and nonassessable;
2.With respect to shares of any series of Preferred Stock, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of the series of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a resolution establishing and designating such series and fixing and determining the preferences, limitations and relative rights thereof and the filing of a statement with respect to such series with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (a “Certificate of Designation”) and (ii) certificates representing the shares of the series of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered (or non-certificated shares of the series of Preferred Stock shall have been properly issued) either (A) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein or (B) upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security in accordance with the terms of the Security or the instrument governing the Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock), the shares of the series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;
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3.With respect to the Debt Securities, when (i) the Board (or a committee thereof), and, if applicable, the sole member, manager, general partner, officer or board of directors of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of any such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees; (ii) the terms of such Debt Securities, and, if applicable, the related Guarantees, and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of the Certificate and Bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any applicable law or any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors; and (iii) such Debt Securities (which may include related Guarantees) have been duly authenticated and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and upon payment of the consideration for such Debt Securities as provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees will be legally issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Company and, if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);
4.With respect to the Warrants, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters, (B) the agreements relating to the Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable warrant agent appointed by the Company, and (C) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered, and delivered in accordance with the appropriate agreements relating to the Warrants and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement approved by the Board or such officers upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Warrants will be legally issued and such Warrants will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);
5.With respect to the Rights, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Rights, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters; (B) the agreements relating to the Rights have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable rights agent appointed by the Company; and (C) the Rights or certificates representing the Rights have been duly executed, countersigned, registered, and delivered in accordance with the appropriate agreements relating to the Rights and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement approved by the Board or such officers upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Rights will be legally issued and such Rights will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting
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creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law); and
6.With respect to the Units, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Units, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters; (B) the agreements relating to the Units have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable unit agent appointed by the Company; and (C) the Units or certificates representing the Units have been duly executed, countersigned, registered, and delivered in accordance with the appropriate agreements relating to the Units and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement approved by the Board or such officers upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Units will be legally issued and such Units will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
The opinions expressed herein are qualified in the following respects:
(1) We express no opinions concerning (a) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in the Indentures that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law or (b) the enforceability of indemnification provisions to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws; and
(2) The foregoing opinions are limited in all respects to the laws of the States of Texas and New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws) and the federal laws of the United States of America, and we are expressing no opinion as to the applicability or effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction, domestic or foreign.
We hereby consent to the statements with respect to us under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
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| Very truly yours, | ||
| /s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. | ||
| Vinson & Elkins L.L.P | ||
5
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our reports dated February 25, 2025, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of TETRA Technologies, Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned reports in this Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts”.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Houston, Texas
May 12, 2025