e424b5
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(B)(5)
Registration No. 333-124120
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated April 26, 2005)
$550,000,000
65/8% SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2016
Interest payable on April 15 and October 15
We are offering $550,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
our
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2016, which we refer to in this
prospectus supplement as the notes. The notes will mature on
April 15, 2016. We will pay interest on the notes on
April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning
October 15, 2006.
We may redeem any of the notes beginning on April 15,
2011. The initial redemption price is 103.313% of their
principal amount plus accrued interest. Prior to that time, we
may redeem all of the notes at a make-whole redemption price. In
addition, before April 15, 2009, we may redeem up to 35% of
the notes at a redemption price of 106.625% of their principal
amount plus accrued interest using the net cash proceeds from
certain sales of our common stock.
The notes will rank junior to our senior indebtedness,
equally with our other senior subordinated indebtedness and
effectively junior to the obligations of our subsidiaries.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See Risk
Factors beginning on
page S-12 of this
prospectus supplement and on page 3 of the accompanying
prospectus.
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Per Note | |
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Total | |
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Public Offering Price
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100.00 |
% |
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$ |
550,000,000 |
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Underwriting Discount
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0.75 |
% |
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$ |
4,125,000 |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to Newfield
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99.25 |
% |
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$ |
545,875,000 |
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities, or determined if this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only
through the Depository Trust Company on or about April 3,
2006.
Sole Book-Running Manager
MORGAN STANLEY
Joint Lead Manager
JPMORGAN
Senior Co-Managers
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FIRST ALBANY CAPITAL |
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. |
WACHOVIA SECURITIES |
Co-Managers
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CALYON SECURITIES (USA) |
HARRIS NESBITT |
The date of this prospectus supplement is March 29, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT |
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S-1 |
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S-2 |
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S-3 |
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S-12 |
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S-14 |
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S-15 |
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S-16 |
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S-58 |
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S-62 |
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S-64 |
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S-64 |
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S-64 |
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S-65 |
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PROSPECTUS |
About this Prospectus
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1 |
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Where You Can Find More Information
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1 |
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Forward-Looking Statements
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2 |
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About Our Company
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3 |
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Risk Factors
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3 |
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Use of Proceeds
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Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Fixed
Charges Plus Preferred Dividends
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9 |
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Description of Debt Securities
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9 |
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Description of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
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23 |
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Description of Depositary Shares
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27 |
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Description of Securities Warrants
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29 |
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Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units
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30 |
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Plan of Distribution
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31 |
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Legal Matters
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32 |
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Experts
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32 |
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus
supplement, which describes our business and the specific terms
of the offering. The second part is the prospectus, which gives
more general information, some of which may not apply to the
offering. If information varies between this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on
the information in this prospectus supplement. You should
carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus and the documents incorporated herein or therein by
reference in their entirety. You should pay special attention to
Risk Factors beginning on page S-12 of this
prospectus supplement and on page 3 of the accompanying
prospectus to determine whether an investment in notes is
appropriate for you. For purposes of this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus, unless the context otherwise
indicates, references to us, we,
our or Newfield are to Newfield
Exploration Company and its subsidiaries. Unless otherwise
noted, capitalized terms used in this prospectus supplement have
the same meanings as used in the accompanying prospectus.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by
reference or provided in this prospectus supplement or in the
accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have
not, authorized anyone else to provide you with different
information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not,
and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
You should not assume that the information contained in the
documents incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus supplement or in the accompanying prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date of those documents.
Our business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since that date.
S-1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the
documents we incorporate by reference herein may include
forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as the
Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as
the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and the documents we incorporate by
reference herein, including statements regarding estimated or
anticipated operating and financial data, production targets,
anticipated production rates, planned capital expenditures, the
availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures,
estimates of proved reserves, wells planned to be drilled in the
future, our financial plans and our business strategy and other
plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking
statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected
in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these
statements are based upon assumptions and anticipated results
that are subject to numerous uncertainties. Actual results may
very significantly from those anticipated due to many factors,
including:
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drilling results; |
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oil and gas prices; |
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well and waterflood performance; |
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severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes; |
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the prices of goods and services; |
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the availability of drilling rigs and other support services; |
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the availability of capital resources; and |
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the other factors affecting our business described in
Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. |
The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the
documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement identify additional factors that could affect our
operating results and performance. We urge you to carefully
consider these factors. All forward-looking statements
attributable to our company are expressly qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary statement.
S-2
SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in
this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in
documents incorporated by reference herein or therein. You
should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and
therein in their entirety for a better understanding of the
offering. You should read Risk Factors beginning on
page S-12 of this prospectus supplement and on page 3
of the accompanying prospectus, and Item 1A. Risk
Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, for more information about
important factors that you should consider before buying notes
in the offering.
Newfield Exploration Company
We are an independent oil and gas company engaged in the
exploration, development and acquisition of crude oil and
natural gas properties. Our company was founded in 1989 and
initially focused on the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Today, we have a diversified asset base. Our domestic areas of
operation include the onshore Gulf Coast, the Anadarko and
Arkoma Basins of the Mid-Continent, the Uinta Basin of the Rocky
Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico. Internationally, we are active
offshore Malaysia and China and in the U.K. North Sea.
At year-end 2005, we had proved reserves of 2.0 Tcfe. Of
those reserves:
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70% were natural gas; |
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68% were proved developed; |
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72% were located onshore in the United States; |
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20% were located in the Gulf of Mexico; and |
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8% were located internationally. |
The location of our reserves has changed significantly since the
late 1990s. Through large acquisitions, leasing efforts and
subsequent drilling activities, we have added significant
reserves onshore in the United States. We also have added
international focus areas and have grown reserves through these
ventures.
Strategy
The elements of our growth strategy have remained substantially
unchanged since our founding and consist of:
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growing reserves through the drilling of a balanced risk/reward
portfolio and select acquisitions; |
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focusing on select geographic areas; |
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controlling operations and costs; |
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using advanced technologies; and |
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attracting and retaining a quality workforce through equity
ownership and other performance-based incentives. |
Drilling Program. In an effort to manage the risks
associated with our strategy to grow reserves through the
drillbit, each year we drill a greater number of lower risk, low
to moderate potential wells and a lesser number of higher risk,
higher potential prospects. Our low-risk drilling opportunities
in the Rocky Mountains, the Mid-Continent and the shallow waters
of Malaysia and the Gulf of Mexico are complemented with higher
potential plays in the Gulf of Mexicos deep and ultra-deep
shelf and deepwater and in other international waters. In recent
years, about 20-30% of our initial annual capital expenditure
budget has been allocated to exploration activities. We actively
look for new drilling ideas on our existing property base and on
properties that may be acquired. In 2005, 96% of our reserve
additions came through the drillbit.
S-3
Acquisitions. We actively pursue the acquisition
of proved oil and gas properties in select geographic areas. The
potential to add reserves through the drillbit is a critical
consideration in our acquisition screening process. Since 2000,
we have made several large acquisitions that have helped
establish new focus areas. Recently, higher commodity prices and
stiff competition for acquisitions has significantly increased
the cost of available properties. As a result, during the past
year we have looked to alternative ways to gain access to oil
and gas properties such as joint venture alliances and leasing
efforts.
Geographic Focus. We believe that our long-term
success requires extensive knowledge of the geologic and
operating conditions in the areas where we operate. Because of
this belief, we focus our efforts on a limited number of
geographic areas where we can use our core competencies and have
a significant influence on operations. We also believe that
geographic focus allows us to make the most efficient use of our
capital and personnel.
Control of Operations and Costs. In general, we
prefer to operate our properties. By controlling operations, we
can better manage production performance, control operating
expenses and capital expenditures, consider the application of
technologies and influence timing. At year-end 2005, we operated
about 79% of our total production.
Technology. By investing in technology, we give
our people the tools they need to succeed. Over the last five
years, we have invested about $165 million in the
acquisition of new seismic data. We have seismic surveys
covering all of our major areas of operation.
Equity Ownership and Incentive Compensation. We
want our employees to act like owners. To achieve this, we
reward and encourage them through equity ownership and
performance-based compensation. A significant portion of our
employees compensation is contingent on our profitability.
As of February 28, 2006, our employees owned or had options
to acquire about 7% of our outstanding common stock on a fully
diluted basis.
Focus Areas
Onshore Gulf Coast. We established onshore Gulf
Coast operations in 1995 and made major acquisitions in 2000 and
2002 to grow our presence. Today, the onshore Gulf Coast is a
major focus area for us, representing about one quarter of our
total proved reserves and 30% of our daily production. Our
operations are concentrated in South Texas, East Texas and the
Val Verde Basin of West Texas.
Mid-Continent. Through an acquisition in January
2001, we added the Mid-Continent as a focus area. Since that
time, we have doubled our proved reserves and production from
this area. The Mid-Continent is a gas-rich province
characterized by multiple productive zones and relatively low
drilling costs. For the past several years, we have focused on
an initiative that we call gas mining. We drilled
267 wells in the Mid-Continent in 2005 and have a
multi-year inventory of lower risk drilling opportunities. Our
Mid-Continent division is managed by our Tulsa, Oklahoma office.
Rocky Mountains. Through an acquisition in August
2004, we entered the Uinta Basin of the Rocky Mountains. The
Monument Butte Field, located in northeastern Utah, now accounts
for approximately 20% of our total proved reserves. The field
offers a multi-year drilling inventory of lower risk wells. We
drilled nearly 200 wells in the field in 2005 and expect to
drill a similar number in 2006. The multiple basins of the Rocky
Mountains, which have significant remaining reserves, offer us
opportunities for growth. Our Rocky Mountain division is managed
by our Denver, Colorado office.
Gulf of Mexico. We are active in all of the major
plays in the Gulf of Mexico: the traditional shelf; the deep and
ultra-deep shelf; and deepwater. Although traditional shelf
plays are mature, we believe that significant opportunities
remain in the deep shelf and ultra-deep shelf. We operate about
180 production platforms in shallow water. This infrastructure
facilitates cost effective operations and timely development of
our discoveries. In the deepwater, we have made four deepwater
discoveries to date, two of which are under development. First
production from one of the discoveries is expected in late 2006.
S-4
We also are active in an exploration initiative we refer to as
Treasure Project. Prospective drilling depths for
this concept are 30,000 feet or more. The ultra-deep
targets of this concept are high risk but the potential reserve
impact could be significant. We have 95 lease blocks associated
with this concept. There is no production from these depths on
the Gulf of Mexico shelf today. In February 2005, we began
drilling the first test of this concept the
Blackbeard West #1 well. The well continues to drill.
Initially, our cost to drill the well was carried by our
partners; however, the wells cost has exceeded initial
estimates so we are now paying 23% of the costs. We estimate
that our net cost for the well will be approximately
$15 million.
International. Over the last two years, we have
acquired interests in three offshore Malaysia blocks that
include current production, undeveloped discoveries and lower
risk drilling prospects in shallow water and a large deepwater
exploration concession. We have four fields under development
and expect to drill our first deepwater prospect in late 2006.
We are developing two oil fields in Chinas Bohai Bay.
First production is expected in late 2006. During 2005, we added
two license areas offshore Hong Kong in the Pearl River Mouth
Basin. In the North Sea, we are developing our 2005 Grove
discovery with first production expected in late 2006. We have
international offices in Kuala Lumpur, London and Beijing. For
revenues from our domestic and international operations, see
Note 17, Segment Information, to our
consolidated financial statements that are incorporated by
reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus.
Plans for 2006
Our capital budget for 2006 is $1.9 billion, including
$180 million allocated for hurricane repairs in the Gulf of
Mexico (of which we expect the majority to be covered by
proceeds from insurance) and $105 million of capitalized
interest and overhead. We have not budgeted for potential
acquisitions. We plan to drill more than 600 wells in 2006,
about 80% of which are lower risk wells in the Mid-Continent or
the Uinta Basin. About $350 million has been earmarked for
exploration activities.
Onshore Gulf Coast. In 2006, we will balance
development drilling of lower risk opportunities with some
higher risk, higher impact exploration tests. We plan to drill
about 100 wells and invest approximately $350 million.
Mid-Continent. We expect to drill about
300 wells and invest approximately $440 million. The
majority of the planned drilling is associated with our gas
mining initiatives.
Rocky Mountains. Our primary capital program in
the Monument Butte Field consists of drilling shallow, lower
risk wells and water injection wells, waterflood optimization
activities and investment in field infrastructure. We plan to
drill about 220 wells in the field during 2006. We also
plan to drill 4-8 deep gas exploratory wells to test for
potential beneath the field. Our 2006 capital budget includes
$155 million for these activities.
Gulf of Mexico. We expect to drill about
25-30 wells in 2006, including 15-20 in the traditional
shelf, 3-4 in the deep shelf, one (Blackbeard West #1) in
the ultra-deep Treasure Project and 3-5 in deepwater. About
$375 million of our capital budget for 2006 has been
allocated for these drilling projects.
International. In 2006, we expect to drill 10-12
shallow water wells in Malaysia and one deepwater exploration
well. In the North Sea, we plan to drill two development wells
in our Grove Field and one exploration well. Our drilling
program in the Bohai Bay will focus on development of our two
commercial fields. Our total investment in these international
ventures for 2006 is planned to be $300 million.
S-5
Summary of Reserve and Production Data
We have achieved substantial growth in proved reserves and
production during the past five years. The following table shows
our proved reserves as of the end of, and production for, each
of the indicated years.
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As of December 31, | |
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2001 | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2005 | |
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Proved Reserves:
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Natural gas (Bcf)
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718.3 |
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977.1 |
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1,090.2 |
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1,241.1 |
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1,391.3 |
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Oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (MMBbls)
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31.0 |
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34.0 |
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37.8 |
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90.5 |
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101.6 |
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Total proved reserves (Bcfe)
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904.1 |
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1,181.3 |
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1,316.8 |
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1,783.9 |
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2,001.0 |
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Annual Production:
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Natural gas (Bcf)
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133.2 |
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144.7 |
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184.2 |
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198.2 |
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191.0 |
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Oil and condensate (MBbls)
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5,522 |
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5,235 |
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6,054 |
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7,565 |
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8,446 |
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Total (Bcfe)
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166.3 |
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176.1 |
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220.6 |
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243.6 |
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241.6 |
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Our executive offices are located at 363 N. Sam
Houston Parkway East, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas
77060, and our telephone number is
(281) 847-6000.
Our website can be found at www.newfld.com. Information
contained at our website is not incorporated by reference into
this prospectus supplement and you should not consider
information contained at our website as part of this prospectus
supplement.
S-6
The Offering
The following summary is provided solely for your
convenience. This summary is not intended to be complete. You
should read the full text and more specific details contained
elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. For a more detailed
description of the notes and definitions of some of the terms
used in this summary, see Description of the Notes
elsewhere in this prospectus supplement.
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Securities Offered |
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$550,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
65/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016. |
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Maturity |
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April 15, 2016. |
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Interest |
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65/8
% per annum, payable semi-annually on each
April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15,
2006. |
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Ranking |
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The notes will be our unsecured senior subordinated debt. The
notes will rank junior in right of payment to all of our present
and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in this prospectus
supplement), equally in right of payment to our outstanding
83/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and our
65/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014, and senior to
all of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to
the notes. The notes will effectively rank junior to the
obligations of our subsidiaries. |
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As of December 31, 2005, we had approximately
$300 million of Senior Indebtedness outstanding and our
subsidiaries had an additional approximately $765 million
of liabilities (excluding intercompany liabilities and deferred
revenue). |
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Subsidiary Guarantees |
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The notes initially will not be guaranteed by any of our
subsidiaries. However, the indenture governing the notes
provides that if any of our subsidiaries guarantees any of our
indebtedness at any time in the future, then we will cause the
notes to be guaranteed by such subsidiary on a senior
subordinated basis. |
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Optional Redemption |
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The notes may be redeemed at any time on or after April 15,
2011, at our option, in whole or in part, at the prices listed
under Description of the Notes Optional
Redemption. Prior to that date, the notes may be redeemed
at our option, in whole but not in part, at a make-whole price
described under Description of the Notes
Optional Redemption. Before April 15, 2009, we may
redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes
with the net cash proceeds of certain sales of our common stock
at 106.625% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of redemption. |
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Change of Control |
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If a change of control occurs prior to maturity, you may require
us to purchase all or part of your notes at a purchase price
equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of redemption. |
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Certain Covenants |
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The indenture governing the notes will limit our ability and the
ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: |
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incur
additional debt; |
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make
restricted payments; |
S-7
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pay
dividends on or redeem our capital stock; |
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make
certain investments; |
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create
liens; |
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make
certain dispositions of assets; |
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engage
in transactions with affiliates; and |
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engage
in mergers, consolidations and certain sales of assets. |
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As to our restricted subsidiaries, the indenture governing the
notes also will limit their ability to enter into or become
subject to arrangements that would restrict or limit their
ability to: |
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pay
dividends or make other distributions to us or other restricted
subsidiaries; |
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make
loans or advances to us; and |
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transfer
any assets to us. |
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These covenants are subject to important exceptions and
qualifications, as described under Description of the
Notes Certain Covenants. |
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If the notes are assigned an investment grade rating from
Moodys and Standard & Poors, many of these
covenants will be suspended. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering to redeem
our
83/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 and for general
corporate purposes, including to fund a portion of our 2006
capital program. See Use of Proceeds. |
Risk Factors
An investment in the notes involves certain risks that you
should carefully evaluate prior to making an investment. See
Risk Factors beginning on page S-12 of this
prospectus supplement and on page 3 of the accompanying
prospectus and Item 1A. Risk Factors in our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005.
S-8
Summary Selected Financial Data
We derived the summary selected historical financial data for
the year ended December 31, 2005 from our audited financial
statements.
The following table should be read together with, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the historical
financial statements and the accompanying notes incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement.
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Year Ended | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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(In millions) | |
Income Statement Data:
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Oil and gas revenues
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$ |
1,762 |
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Operating expenses:
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Lease operating
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205 |
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Production and other taxes
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64 |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization
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521 |
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Ceiling test writedown
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10 |
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General and administrative
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104 |
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Other
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(29 |
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Total operating expenses
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875 |
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|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
887 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(72 |
) |
|
Capitalized interest
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Commodity derivative expense
|
|
|
(322 |
) |
|
Other
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(344 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Income from operations before income taxes
|
|
|
543 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax provision:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
348 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital deficit
|
|
$ |
(130 |
) |
Oil and gas properties, net
|
|
|
4,410 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
5,081 |
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
|
870 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
2,378 |
|
Cash Flow Data:
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
1,109 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(1,036 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(88 |
) |
EBITDA
|
|
|
1,090 |
|
S-9
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations before
net interest expense, dividends, income taxes, depreciation,
depletion and amortization and is calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net income
|
|
$ |
348 |
|
|
Adjustments to derive EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
Income tax provision
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
1,090 |
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by our
management and by external users of financial statements such as
investors, commercial banks, research analysts and rating
agencies, to assess:
|
|
|
|
|
the financial performance of our assets without regard to
financing methods, capital structures or historical costs; |
|
|
|
the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay
interest and support our indebtedness; |
|
|
|
our operating performance and return on capital as compared to
those of other companies, without regard to financing and
capital structure; and |
|
|
|
the viability of projects and the overall rates of return on
alternative investment opportunities. |
EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income or
income from operations, operating income, cash flow from
operating activities or any other measure of financial
performance presented in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP
financial measure is not intended to represent GAAP-based cash
flows. We have reconciled our EBITDA amounts to our consolidated
net cash provided by operating activities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
1,090 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile EBITDA to net cash provided by
operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
Current income tax provision
|
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
Stock compensation
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
Commodity derivative expense
|
|
|
210 |
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
Ceiling test writedown
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
Gain on sale of floating production system and pipelines
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
1,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
S-10
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
We have presented in the table below our historical consolidated
ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
for the | |
|
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
Offering | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
|
|
|
5.5x |
|
|
|
3.2x |
|
|
|
6.0x |
|
|
|
9.0x |
|
|
|
7.7x |
|
|
|
8.2x |
|
For purposes of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to
fixed charges, earnings consist of income before income taxes
plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and fixed
charges consist of interest (both expensed and capitalized),
distributions on our convertible trust preferred securities
(which were redeemed in full in June 2003) and the estimated
interest component of rent expense.
S-11
RISK FACTORS
Please refer to Item 1A. Risk Factors of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005, which is incorporated by reference herein, for a
description of additional risks associated with an investment in
our securities, including the notes offered by this prospective
supplement.
Risks Associated with the Notes
Your right to receive payments on the notes is junior to
our existing senior indebtedness and is effectively junior to
the obligations of our subsidiaries.
The indebtedness evidenced by the notes is a senior subordinated
obligation of Newfield. The payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, on and interest on the notes is subordinate in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our
Senior Indebtedness (as defined in this prospectus supplement),
including borrowings under our credit arrangements.
All of our international, U.S. mid-continent and Rocky
Mountain properties, a significant portion of our onshore Gulf
Coast properties and a small portion of our Gulf of Mexico
properties are owned by our subsidiaries. Distributions or
advances from our subsidiaries are a source of funds to meet our
debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as
well as our subsidiaries financial condition and operating
requirements, may limit our ability to obtain cash from our
subsidiaries that we require to pay our debt service
obligations, including payments on the notes. You will have a
junior position to the claims of creditors, including trade
creditors and tort claimants, of our subsidiaries that do not
guarantee the notes and to all secured or senior creditors of
our subsidiaries, whether or not they guarantee the notes, with
respect to the assets securing the claims of those secured
creditors and generally with respect to senior creditors.
Initially, none of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes.
At December 31, 2005, we had approximately
$300 million in senior indebtedness outstanding (excluding
indebtedness of our subsidiaries) and approximately
$1 billion available under our credit facility and money
market lines of credit. Any future borrowings under our bank
credit facility will also constitute senior indebtedness. In
addition, at December 31, 2005, our subsidiaries had
approximately $765 million of liabilities, excluding
intercompany liabilities and deferred revenues.
If we experience a change of control, we may be unable to
repurchase the notes as required under the indenture.
Upon a change of control, you will have the right to require us,
subject to various conditions, to repurchase the notes. We may
not have sufficient financial resources to pay the repurchase
price for the notes, or we may be prohibited from doing so under
our revolving credit facility or other credit arrangements. In
addition, before we can purchase any notes, we may be required
to:
|
|
|
|
|
repay our bank and other debt that ranks senior to the
notes; or |
|
|
|
obtain a consent from lenders of senior debt to repurchase the
notes. |
If a change of control occurs and we are prohibited from
repurchasing the notes, our failure to do so would cause us to
default under the indenture, which in turn is likely to be a
default under our credit arrangements, our outstanding senior
notes due 2007 and 2011, our outstanding senior subordinated
notes due 2012 and 2014 and any future debt. Any other default
under our revolving credit facility or other debt would also
likely prohibit us from repurchasing the notes.
Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific
circumstances, to void subsidiary guaranties.
The indenture governing the notes does not require any
subsidiary to guarantee the notes unless that subsidiary
guarantees other indebtedness of ours as described under
Description of the Notes. Currently, there are no
subsidiary guarantors. Various fraudulent conveyance laws have
been enacted for the protection of creditors, and a court may
use these laws to subordinate or avoid any subsidiary guaranty
that may be
S-12
delivered in the future. A court could avoid or subordinate a
subsidiary guaranty in favor of that subsidiary guarantors
other creditors if the court found that either:
|
|
|
|
|
the guaranty was incurred with the intent to hinder, delay or
defraud any present or future creditor or the subsidiary
guarantor contemplated insolvency with a design to favor one or
more creditors to the exclusion in whole or in part of
others; or |
|
|
|
the subsidiary guarantor did not receive fair consideration or
reasonably equivalent value for issuing its subsidiary guaranty; |
and, in either case, the subsidiary guarantor, at the time it
issued the subsidiary guaranty:
|
|
|
|
|
was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of
the subsidiary guaranty; |
|
|
|
was engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for
which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small
capital; or |
|
|
|
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay such debts as they matured. |
Among other things, a legal challenge of the subsidiary guaranty
on fraudulent conveyance grounds may focus on the benefits, if
any, realized by the subsidiary guarantor as a result of our
issuance of the notes or the delivery of the subsidiary
guaranty. To the extent the subsidiary guaranty was avoided as a
fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable for any other
reason, you would cease to have any claim against that
subsidiary guarantor and would be solely a creditor of us and of
any subsidiary guarantors whose subsidiary guaranties were not
avoided or held unenforceable. In that event, your claims
against the issuer of an invalid subsidiary guaranty would be
subject to the prior payment of all liabilities of that
subsidiary guarantor.
You may find it difficult to sell your notes because an
active market for the notes may not develop.
We do not know the extent to which investor interest will lead
to the development of a trading market for the notes or how
liquid that market might be. As a result, the market price of
the notes could be adversely affected.
The market price of the notes also could be adversely affected
by factors such as:
|
|
|
|
|
the number of potential buyers; |
|
|
|
the level of liquidity of the notes; |
|
|
|
ratings published by major credit rating agencies; |
|
|
|
our financial performance; |
|
|
|
the amount of indebtedness we have outstanding; |
|
|
|
the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates
generally; |
|
|
|
the market for similar securities; |
S-13
|
|
|
|
|
the redemption and repayment features of the notes; and |
|
|
|
the time remaining to the maturity of the notes. |
As a result of these factors, you may only be able to sell your
notes a prices below those you believe to be appropriate,
including prices below the price you paid for them.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated expenses of the
offering, will be approximately $546 million. We intend to
use the net proceeds from the offering to redeem our
83/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 ($250 million
aggregate principal amount outstanding plus redemption premium
of approximately $20 million) and for general corporate
purposes, including to fund a portion of our 2006 capital
program (as discussed in more detail above under
Summary Plans for 2006).
S-14
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2005 our
cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization on an actual
basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to:
|
|
|
|
|
the offering; |
|
|
|
the redemption our
83/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 at a premium of
approximately $20 million; and |
|
|
|
the write-off of approximately $8 million of unamortized
issuance costs and discount associated with our
83/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012. |
The as adjusted basis assumes that the offering and redemption
occurred on December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual | |
|
As Adjusted | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions) | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
39 |
|
|
$ |
315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior debt
|
|
|
296 |
|
|
|
296 |
|
|
83/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012
|
|
|
249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
|
|
|
325 |
|
|
|
325 |
|
|
65/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
|
870 |
|
|
|
1,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares
authorized; no shares issued and outstanding)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares
authorized; 129,356,162 issued and outstanding
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
1,186 |
|
|
|
1,186 |
|
|
Treasury stock (at cost, 1,815,594 shares)
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
Unearned compensation
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
1,296 |
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
2,378 |
|
|
|
2,360 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$ |
3,248 |
|
|
$ |
3,531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S-15
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
Newfield Exploration Company will issue the notes offered hereby
(the Notes) as a new series of its debt
securities under a Subordinated Indenture dated as of
December 10, 2001, between itself and Wachovia Bank,
National Association (formerly First Union National Bank), as
Trustee, as supplemented by an indenture supplement creating the
Notes (the Indenture). The terms of the Notes
include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.
Certain terms used in this description are defined under the
subheading Certain Definitions. In this
description, the words Company, we,
us and our refer only to Newfield
Exploration Company and not to any of its subsidiaries. The
registered holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes, and all references in this Description
of the Notes to Holders or
Noteholders mean holders of record, unless otherwise
indicated.
The following description summarizes the material provisions of
the Notes and the Indenture. The description does not restate
any of these instruments in its entirety. We urge you to read
the Indenture because it, and not this description, defines your
rights as holders of the Notes. A form of the Indenture is
available from us.
General
The Notes:
|
|
|
|
|
will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the
Company, ranking equally in right of payment to the
Companys
83/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and
65/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014; |
|
|
|
will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing and
future Senior Indebtedness of the Company; |
|
|
|
will be senior in right of payment to any future Subordinated
Obligations of the Company; |
|
|
|
will be issued in an original aggregate principal amount of
$550 million; |
|
|
|
will mature on April 15, 2016; and |
|
|
|
will bear interest commencing on the Issue Date at
65/8
% per annum, payable semiannually on each April 15
and October 15, commencing October 15, 2006, to
holders of record on the immediately preceding April 1 and
October 1. |
Principal, Maturity and Interest
The Company will issue the Notes initially with a maximum
aggregate principal amount of $550 million. The Company
will issue the Notes in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple of $1,000. The Notes will mature on April 15,
2016. Subject to our compliance with the covenant described
under the subheading Certain Covenants
Limitation on Indebtedness, we are entitled to, without
the consent of the Holders, issue more Notes under the Indenture
on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP number
as the Notes being offered hereby in an unlimited principal
amount (the Additional Notes). The Notes and
the Additional Notes, if any, will be treated as a single class
for all purposes of the Indenture, including waivers,
amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the
context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the Indenture
and this Description of the Notes, references to the
Notes include any Additional Notes actually issued.
Interest on these Notes will accrue at the rate of
65/8
% per annum and will be payable semiannually in
arrears on April 15 and October 15, commencing on
October 15, 2006. We will make each interest payment to the
holders of record of these Notes on the immediately preceding
April 1 and October 1. We will pay interest on overdue
principal at 1% per annum in excess of the above rate and
will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at such
higher rate to the extent lawful.
S-16
Interest on these Notes will accrue from the date of original
issuance. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised
of twelve 30-day months.
Optional Redemption
On and after April 15, 2011, we will be entitled at our
option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the
redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount
on the redemption date), plus accrued interest to the redemption
date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date), if redeemed during the
12-month period
commencing on April 15 of the years set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption | |
Period |
|
Price | |
|
|
| |
2011
|
|
|
103.313 |
% |
2012
|
|
|
102.208 |
% |
2013
|
|
|
101.104 |
% |
2014 and thereafter
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
Prior to April 15, 2009, we may at our option on one or
more occasions redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if
any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes
Additional Notes, if any) issued prior to the redemption date at
a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal
amount) of 106.625%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds from one or more
Public Equity Offerings; provided that
|
|
|
|
|
at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which
includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding
immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other
than Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its
Affiliates); and |
|
|
|
each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date
of the related Public Equity Offering. |
We will be entitled, at our option, at any time as a whole prior
to April 15, 2011, to redeem the Notes (which includes the
Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price equal to the sum
of:
|
|
|
|
|
the principal amount thereof, plus |
|
|
|
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus |
|
|
|
the Applicable Premium at the redemption date (which is computed
with reference to the applicable Treasury Rate). |
Selection and Notice of Redemption
If we are redeeming less than all the Notes at any time, the
Trustee will select Notes on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such
other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to
be fair and appropriate.
We will redeem Notes of $1,000 or less in whole and not in part.
We will cause notices of redemption to be mailed by first-class
mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its
registered address.
If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of
the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. We will issue a new
Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of
the original Note in the name of the Holder upon surrender of
the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the
date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date,
interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called
for redemption.
S-17
No Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market
Purchases
We are not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking
fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain
circumstances, we may be required to offer to purchase Notes as
described under the captions Change of Control
and Certain Covenants Limitation on Sales of
Assets and Subsidiary Stock. We may at any time and from
time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise.
Subsidiary Guaranties
Under the circumstances described below, our obligations under
the Notes may in the future be jointly and severally guaranteed
by our existing or future Subsidiaries as Subsidiary Guarantors.
Initially, we expect that there will be no Subsidiary
Guarantors. Although the Indenture does not contain any
requirement that any Subsidiary initially execute and deliver a
Guaranty Agreement providing for a Subsidiary Guaranty, the
covenant described below under Certain
Covenants Future Guarantors may require a Subsidiary
in the future to execute and deliver a Guaranty Agreement.
Under its Subsidiary Guaranty, each Subsidiary Guarantor will
guarantee, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated basis
to each Holder and the Trustee, the full and prompt performance
of our obligations under the Indenture and the Notes, including
the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) and
interest on the Notes.
The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its
Subsidiary Guaranty will be limited as necessary to prevent that
Subsidiary Guaranty from constituting a fraudulent conveyance
under applicable law. Please read Risk Factors Risks
Associated with the Notes Federal and state statutes allow
courts, under specific circumstances, to void subsidiary
guaranties.
Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its
Subsidiary Guaranty will be entitled upon payment in full of all
guarantied obligations under the Indenture to a contribution
from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such
other Subsidiary Guarantors pro rata portion of such
payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary
Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance
with GAAP.
If a Subsidiary Guaranty were rendered voidable, it could be
subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including
guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable
Subsidiary Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such
indebtedness, a Subsidiary Guarantors liability on its
Subsidiary Guaranty could be reduced to zero. See Risk
Factors Risks Associated with the Notes Federal and
state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to
void subsidiary guaranties.
The Subsidiary Guaranty of a Subsidiary Guarantor will be
released:
|
|
|
(1) upon the sale or other disposition (including by way of
consolidation or merger) of all of the Capital Stock of that
Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case other than to the Company or
an Affiliate of the Company and as permitted by the Indenture; |
|
|
(2) upon the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary
Guarantor; |
|
|
(3) upon our exercise of our legal defeasance, covenant
defeasance or satisfaction and discharge option as described
under Defeasance and Discharge; or |
|
|
(4) upon the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. |
Ranking
|
|
|
Senior Indebtedness versus Notes |
The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on the Notes and the payment of any Subsidiary Guaranty will be
subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of
all Senior
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Indebtedness of the Company or the relevant Subsidiary
Guarantor, as the case may be, including the obligations of the
Company and such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Revolving Credit
Facility.
As of December 31, 2005, after giving effect to this
offering:
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(1) the Companys Senior Indebtedness would have been
approximately $300 million, none of which would have been
Secured Indebtedness; and |
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(2) the liabilities of the Companys Subsidiaries
(excluding inter-company liabilities) would have been
approximately $765 million, none of which would have been
Secured Indebtedness. |
Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of
additional Indebtedness that the Company and the Restricted
Subsidiaries may incur, under certain circumstances the amount
of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such
Indebtedness may be Senior Indebtedness. Please read
Certain Covenants Limitation on
Indebtedness.
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Liabilities of Subsidiaries versus Notes |
All of our international, U.S. mid-continent and Rock
Mountain properties, and a significant portion of our onshore
Gulf Coast properties and a small portion of our Gulf of Mexico
properties are owned and operated by our subsidiaries.
Distributions or advances from our subsidiaries are a source of
funds to meet our debt service obligations. Contractual
provisions or laws, as well as our subsidiaries financial
condition and operating requirements, may limit our ability to
obtain cash from our subsidiaries that we require to pay our
debt service obligations, including payments on the Notes.
Holders of the Notes will have a junior position to the claims
of creditors, including trade creditors and tort claimants, of
our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes and to all
secured or senior creditors of our subsidiaries, whether or not
they guarantee the Notes, with respect to the assets securing
the claims of those secured creditors and generally with respect
to senior creditors.
Although the Indenture limits the incurrence of Indebtedness and
the issuance of preferred stock of certain of our subsidiaries,
such limitation is subject to a number of significant
qualifications. Moreover, the Indenture does not impose any
limitation on the incurrence by such subsidiaries of liabilities
that are not considered Indebtedness under the Indenture. See
Certain Covenants Limitation on
Indebtedness.
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Other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness versus Notes |
Only Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor
that is Senior Indebtedness will rank senior to the Notes and
the relevant Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture. The Notes and each Subsidiary
Guaranty will in all respects rank pari passu with all
other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company (including
its 2012 Notes and 2014 Notes) and the relevant Subsidiary
Guarantor, respectively.
We have agreed in the Indenture that we and any Subsidiary
Guarantor will not Incur, directly or indirectly, any
Indebtedness that is contractually subordinate or junior in
right of payment to our Senior Indebtedness or the Senior
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor, unless such
Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company
or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, or is expressly
subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as
applicable. The Indenture does not treat unsecured Indebtedness
as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because
it is unsecured.
Payment of Notes
We are not permitted to pay principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Notes or make any deposit pursuant to the
provisions described under Defeasance and
Discharge below and may not purchase,
S-19
redeem or otherwise retire any Notes (collectively, pay
the Notes) if either of the following occurs (a
Payment Default):
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(1) any Obligation on any Designated Senior Indebtedness of
the Company is not paid in full when due; or |
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(2) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of
the Company occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms; |
unless, in either case, the Payment Default has been cured or
waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such
Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or
cash equivalents. Regardless of these prohibitions, we are
permitted to pay the Notes if we and the Trustee receive written
notice approving such payment from the Representatives of all
Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which the Payment
Default has occurred and is continuing.
During the continuance of any default (other than a Payment
Default) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of
the Company pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be
accelerated without further notice (except such notice as may be
required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any
applicable grace periods, we are not permitted to pay the Notes
for a period (a Payment Blockage Period)
commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee and by us of written
notice (a Payment Blockage Notice) of such
default from the Representative of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage
Period and ending 179 days thereafter. The Payment Blockage
Period will end earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is
terminated:
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(1) by written notice to the Trustee and us from the Person
or Persons who gave such Payment Blockage Notice; |
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(2) because the default giving rise to such Payment
Blockage Notice is cured, waived or otherwise no longer
continuing; or |
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(3) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been
discharged or repaid in full in cash or cash equivalents. |
Notwithstanding the provisions described above, unless the
holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the
Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness has
accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness,
we are permitted to resume paying the Notes after the end of
such Payment Blockage Period. The Notes shall not be subject to
more than one Payment Blockage Period in any consecutive
360-day period
irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to
Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company during such
period. However, in no event may the total number of days during
which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods are in effect
exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any consecutive
360-day period, and
there must be 181 days during any consecutive
360-day period during
which no Payment Blockage Period is in effect.
Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company
upon a liquidation, dissolution or reorganization of or similar
proceeding relating to the Company or its property:
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(1) the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company will
be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or cash
equivalents of such Senior Indebtedness before the Holders of
the Notes are entitled to receive any payment; and |
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(2) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in
full in cash or cash equivalents, any payment or distribution to
which Holders of the Notes would be entitled but for the
subordination provisions of the Indenture will be made to
holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their interests may
appear, except that Holders of Notes may receive certain Capital
Stock and subordinated debt obligations. |
If a distribution is made to Holders of the Notes that, due to
the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them,
such Holders of the Notes are required to hold it in trust for
the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pay it
over to them as their interests may appear.
S-20
If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of
Default, the Company or the Trustee must promptly notify the
holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the
Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness of the
acceleration.
A Subsidiary Guarantors obligations under its Subsidiary
Guaranty will be senior subordinated obligations. As such, the
rights of Noteholders to receive payment by a Subsidiary
Guarantor pursuant to its Subsidiary Guaranty will be
subordinated in right of payment to the rights of holders of
Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor. The terms of
the subordination provisions described above with respect to the
Companys obligations under the Notes apply equally to a
Subsidiary Guarantor and the obligations of such Subsidiary
Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty.
By reason of the subordination provisions contained in the
Indenture, in the event of a liquidation or insolvency
proceeding, creditors of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor
who are holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a
Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, may recover more,
ratably, than the Holders of the Notes, and creditors of ours
who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover less,
ratably, than holders of our Senior Indebtedness and may recover
more, ratably, than the Holders of the Notes.
The terms of the subordination provisions described above will
not apply to payments from money or the proceeds of
U.S. Government Obligations held in trust by the Trustee
for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes
pursuant to the provisions described under
Defeasance and Discharge.
Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each a
Change of Control), then unless the Company
shall have exercised its right to redeem all the Notes, each
Holder shall have the right to require that the Company
repurchase such Holders Notes at a purchase price in cash
equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of
purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date
of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date):
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(1) any person (as such term is used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes
the beneficial owner (as defined in
Rules 13d-3 and
13d-5 under the
Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (1)
such person shall be deemed to have beneficial
ownership of all shares that any such person has the right
to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or
only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more
than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the
Company; |
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(2) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals
who, at the beginning of such period, constituted the Board of
Directors (together with any new directors whose election by
such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the
shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of the
majority of the directors of the Company then still in office
who were either directors at the beginning of such period or
whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
Board of Directors then in office; |
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(3) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company; or |
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(4) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the
Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of
the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another
Person, other than a transaction following which (A) in the
case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of
securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the
Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other
securities into which such securities are converted as part of
such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or
indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting
Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation
transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in
the case of a sale of assets transaction, each transferee
becomes an obligor in respect of the Notes and a Subsidiary of
the transferor of such assets. |
S-21
Unless we have exercised our right to redeem all the Notes and
have delivered an irrevocable notice of redemption to the
Trustee, within 30 days following any Change of Control, we
will mail a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee
(the Change of Control Offer) stating:
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(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such
Holder has the right to require us to purchase such
Holders Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of
the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase
(subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment
date); |
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(2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such
Change of Control (including information with respect to pro
forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization, in each
case after giving effect to such Change of Control); |
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(3) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than
30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed); and |
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(4) the instructions, as determined by us, consistent with
the covenant described hereunder, that a Holder must follow in
order to have its Notes purchased. |
We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer
following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change
of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in
compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture
applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by us and purchases
all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change
of Control Offer.
We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements
of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other
securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase
of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict
with the provisions of the covenant described hereunder, we will
comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and
shall not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the
covenant described hereunder by virtue of our compliance with
such securities laws or regulations.
The Change of Control purchase feature of the Notes may in
certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a sale
or takeover of the Company and, thus, the removal of incumbent
management. The Change of Control purchase feature is a result
of negotiations between the Company and the underwriters. We
have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a
Change of Control, although it is possible that we could decide
to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed
below, we could, in the future, enter into certain transactions,
including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations,
that would not constitute a Change of Control under the
Indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness
outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital
structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on our ability to
Incur additional Indebtedness are contained in the covenants
described under Certain Covenants Limitation
on Indebtedness. Such restrictions can only be waived with
the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained
in such covenants, however, the Indenture will not contain any
covenants or provisions that may afford Holders of the Notes
protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
The Revolving Credit Facility provides that the occurrence of
certain change of control events with respect to the Company
will constitute a default thereunder. In the event that at the
time of a Change of Control the terms of any Senior Indebtedness
of the Company (including the Revolving Credit Facility)
restrict or prohibit the purchase of Notes following such Change
of Control, then prior to the mailing of the notice to Holders
but in any event within 30 days following any Change of
Control, we undertake to (1) repay in full all such Senior
Indebtedness or (2) obtain the requisite consents under the
agreements governing such Senior Indebtedness to permit the
repurchase of the Notes. If we do not repay such Senior
Indebtedness or obtain such consents, we will remain prohibited
from purchasing Notes. In such case, our failure to comply with
the foregoing undertaking, after appropriate notice and lapse of
time would result in an Event of Default with respect to the
Notes, which would, in turn, constitute a default under the
Revolving Credit Facility. In
S-22
such circumstances, the subordination provisions in the
Indenture would likely restrict payment to the Holders of Notes.
Future indebtedness that we may incur may contain prohibitions
on the occurrence of certain events that would constitute a
Change of Control or require the repurchase of such indebtedness
upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the Holders
of their right to require us to repurchase the Notes could cause
a default under such indebtedness, even if the Change of Control
itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase
on us. Finally, our ability to pay cash to the Holders of Notes
following the occurrence of a Change of Control may be limited
by our then existing financial resources. There can be no
assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary
to make any required repurchases.
The definition of Change of Control includes a
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to any Person.
Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the
phrase substantially all, there is no precise
established definition of the phrase under applicable law.
Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of
uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve
a disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company. As a result, it may be unclear as to
whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether a Holder of
Notes may require the Company to make an offer to repurchase the
Notes as described above.
The provisions under the Indenture relative to our obligation to
make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of a Change of
Control may be waived or modified with the written consent of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes.
Certain Covenants
The Indenture contains covenants including, among others, the
following:
During any period that the Notes have a rating equal to or
higher than BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Moodys
(Investment Grade Ratings) and no Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Company and the Restricted
Subsidiaries will not be subject to the following covenants:
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(a) paragraphs (a) through (d) of the
covenant described under Limitation on
Indebtedness; |
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(b) Limitation on Restricted Payments; |
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(c) Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from
Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(d) Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary
Stock; |
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(e) Limitation on Affiliate Transactions; |
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(f) clause (3) of the covenant described under
Merger and Consolidation; and |
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(g) Future Guarantors, |
(collectively, the Suspended Covenants). In
the event that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are
not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as
a result of the preceding sentence, and subsequently one or both
of S&P and Moodys downgrades the rating assigned to
the Notes below BBB , in the case of S&P, and below
Baa3, in the case of Moodys, then the Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the
Suspended Covenants (subject to subsequent suspension if the
Notes again receive Investment Grade Ratings), and, with respect
to Restricted Payments proposed to be made after the time of
such downgrade, the permissibility of such proposed Restricted
Payments will be calculated in accordance with the terms of the
covenant described below under Limitation on
Restricted Payments as though such covenant had been in
effect since the Issue Date, it being understood, however, that
no actions taken by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
during the suspension period shall constitute a Default or an
Event of Default under the Suspended Covenants.
S-23
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Limitation on Indebtedness |
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any
Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors will be entitled to Incur Indebtedness if,
on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto
on a pro forma basis, no Default has occurred and is continuing
and the Consolidated Coverage Ratio exceeds 2.5 to 1.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will be entitled to
Incur any or all of the following Indebtedness (Permitted
Indebtedness):
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(1) Indebtedness Incurred by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to Credit Facilities; provided,
however, that, immediately after giving effect to any such
Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness
Incurred under this clause (1) and then outstanding does
not exceed the greater of (A) $650 million less the
sum of all principal payments with respect to such Indebtedness
pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(A) of the covenant described
under Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary
Stock and (B) $200 million plus 20% of ACNTA as
of the date of such Incurrence; |
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(2) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary; provided, however, that
(A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital
Stock which results in any such Wholly Owned Subsidiary ceasing
to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of
such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the
Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the obligor thereon and
(B) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness,
unless such Indebtedness is owing to a Subsidiary Guarantor,
such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment
in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Notes; |
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(3) the Notes (but excluding any Additional Notes) and all
Subsidiary Guaranties; |
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(4) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than
Indebtedness described in clause (1), (2) or
(3) of this covenant); |
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(5) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and
outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary
became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company
(other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or to
provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support
utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related
transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a
Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company);
provided, however, that on the date such Subsidiary
became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company
and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Company would
have been able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
covenant; |
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(6) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) or pursuant to
clause (3), (4), or (5) or this clause (6);
provided, however, that to the extent such Refinancing
Indebtedness directly or indirectly Refinances Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to clause (5), such
Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by such
Restricted Subsidiary or the Company; |
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(7) Hedging Obligations consisting of Interest Rate
Agreements directly related to Indebtedness outstanding on the
Issue Date or permitted to be Incurred by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Indenture; |
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(8) Hedging Obligations consisting of Oil and Natural Gas
Hedging Contracts and Currency Agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business for the purpose of limiting risks
that arise in the ordinary course of business of the Company and
its Subsidiaries; |
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(9) obligations in respect of performance, bid and surety
bonds, including Guarantees and letters of credit functioning as
or supporting such performance, bid and surety bonds, completion
guarantees and other reimbursement obligations provided by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of
business (in each case other than for an obligation for money
borrowed); |
S-24
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(10) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or
other financial institution of a check, draft or similar
instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary
course of business; provided, however, that such
Indebtedness is extinguished within two Business Days of its
Incurrence; |
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(11) Indebtedness consisting of any Guarantee by the
Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Company
or a Subsidiary Guarantor outstanding on the Issue Date or
permitted by the Indenture to be Incurred by the Company or a
Subsidiary Guarantor; |
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(12) Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations,
mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case,
Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
purchase price, cost of construction or improvement or carrying
cost of assets used in the business of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and related financing costs, and
Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to Refinance any Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to this clause, in an aggregate principal
amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed
$25 million; |
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(13) Indebtedness arising from any agreement providing for
indemnities, Guarantees, purchase price adjustments, holdbacks,
contingency payment obligations based on the performance of the
acquired or disposed assets or similar obligations (other than
Guarantees of Indebtedness) Incurred by any Person in connection
with the acquisition or disposition of assets; |
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(14) in-kind obligations relating to net oil or natural gas
balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business; |
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(15) Non-Recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness; and |
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(16) Indebtedness of the Company or of any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount which,
when taken together with all other Indebtedness of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of such
Incurrence (other than Indebtedness permitted by
clauses (1) through (15) above or paragraph (a))
does not exceed $50 million. |
(c) Notwithstanding the preceding, neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary Guarantor will Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to
the foregoing paragraph (b) if the proceeds thereof
are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated
Obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor unless
such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Notes or the
applicable Subsidiary Guaranty to at least the same extent as
such Subordinated Obligations.
(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this
covenant:
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(1) any Indebtedness remaining outstanding under the
Revolving Credit Facility on the Issue Date will be treated as
Incurred on such date under clause (1) of
paragraph (b) above; |
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(2) in the event that an item of Indebtedness (or any
portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the
types of Permitted Indebtedness described above, or is entitled
to be incurred in compliance with the Consolidated Coverage
Ratio in clause (a) of this covenant, the Company, in its
sole discretion, may classify (or later reclassify in whole or
in part) such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) as
of the time of Incurrence in any manner that complies with this
covenant and will only be required to include the amount and
type of such Indebtedness in one of the above clauses; and |
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(3) the Company will be entitled to divide and classify (or
later reclassify) an item of Indebtedness in more than one of
the types of Permitted Indebtedness described above or as having
been incurred in compliance with the Consolidated Coverage Ratio
in clause (a) of this covenant. |
(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and
(b) above, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor
will Incur any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is
contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment to any
Senior Indebtedness of such Person, unless such Indebtedness is
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Person or is expressly
subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of such Person.
S-25
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Limitation on Restricted Payments |
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to make a
Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:
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(1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or
would result therefrom); |
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(2) the Company is not entitled to Incur an additional
$1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of the
covenant described under Limitation on
Indebtedness; or |
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(3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all
other Restricted Payments since the 2002 Issue Date would exceed
the sum (without duplication) of the following (the
Restricted Payment Basket): |
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(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the
period (treated as one accounting period) from July 1, 2002
to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial
statements of the Company are publicly available prior to the
date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such Consolidated
Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus |
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(B) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds or the fair
market value of property other than cash (including Capital
Stock of Persons engaged in the Oil and Gas Business or assets
used in the Oil and Gas Business) received by the Company from
the issuance or sale of its Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) subsequent to the 2002 Issue Date (other
than an issuance or sale (w) in connection with the
acquisition of EEX Corporation by merger, (x) to a
Subsidiary of the Company, (y) to an employee stock
ownership plan or (z) to a trust established by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees)
and 100% of any cash capital contribution received by the
Company from its shareholders subsequent to the 2002 Issue Date;
plus |
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(C) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company
subsequent to the 2002 Issue Date from the issuance or sale of
its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to an employee
stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees;
provided, however, that if such employee stock ownership
plan or trust Incurs any Indebtedness to finance the purchase of
such Capital Stock, such aggregate amount shall be limited to
the excess of such Net Cash Proceeds over the amount of such
Indebtedness plus an amount equal to any increase in the
Consolidated Net Worth of the Company resulting from principal
repayments made from time to time by such employee stock
ownership plan or trust with respect to such Indebtedness; plus |
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(D) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company is
reduced on the Companys balance sheet upon the conversion
or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company)
subsequent to the 2002 Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the
Company convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any
cash, or the fair value of any other property, distributed by
the Company upon such conversion or exchange); provided,
however, that the foregoing amount shall not exceed the Net
Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary from the sale of such Indebtedness (excluding Net
Cash Proceeds from sales to a Subsidiary of the Company or to an
employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their
employees); plus |
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(E) an amount equal to the sum of (x) the net
reduction in the Investments (other than Permitted Investments)
made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person
resulting from repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such
Investments by such Person, proceeds realized on the sale of
such Investment and proceeds representing the return of capital
(excluding dividends and distributions), in each case received
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the 2002 Issue
Date, and (y) to the extent such Person is an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Companys
equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of
the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such
Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a |
S-26
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Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that to the
extent the foregoing sum exceeds, in the case of any such Person
or Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments (excluding
Permitted Investments) previously made (and treated as a
Restricted Payment) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary, such excess shall not
be included in this clause (E) unless the amount
represented by such excess has not been and will not be taken
into account in one of the foregoing clauses (A)-(D); plus |
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(F) $15.0 million. |
(b) The preceding provisions will not prohibit:
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(1) any Restricted Payment made out of the Net Cash
Proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance or sale of, or
made by conversion into or exchange for, Capital Stock of the
Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital
Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an
employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their
employees) or a substantially concurrent cash capital
contribution received by the Company from one or more of its
shareholders; provided, however, that (A) such
Restricted Payment shall be excluded in the calculation of the
amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds
from such sale or such cash capital contribution (to the extent
so used for such Restricted Payment) shall be excluded from the
calculation of amounts under clause (3)(B) of
paragraph (a) above; |
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(2) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or
other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated
Obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by
exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially
concurrent sale of, Indebtedness which is permitted to be
Incurred pursuant to the covenant described under
Limitation on Indebtedness; provided,
however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption,
defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value shall be
excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; |
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(3) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or
other acquisition or retirement for value of Disqualified Stock
of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by conversion into
or exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially
concurrent issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the
Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust
established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the
benefit of their employees) of, Disqualified Stock of the
Company which is permitted to be issued pursuant to the covenant
described under Limitation on Indebtedness;
provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase,
redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for
value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments; |
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(4) other dividends paid within 60 days after the date
of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such
dividend would have complied with this covenant; provided,
however, that at the time of payment of such dividend, no
other Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result
therefrom); provided further, however, that such dividend
shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments at the time of payment; |
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(5) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing,
the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
value of shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or
former directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or
permitted transferees of such employees, former employees,
directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the
agreements (including employment agreements) or plans (or
amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors under
which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted the
option to purchase or sell, shares of such Capital Stock;
provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such
purchases, redemptions and other acquisitions and retirements
(excluding amounts representing cancellation of Indebtedness)
shall not exceed $2.0 million in any calendar year;
provided further, however, that such purchases,
redemptions and other acquisitions and retirements shall be
excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; |
S-27
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(6) repurchases, acquisitions or retirements of shares of
Company common stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock
options or similar rights issued under employee benefit plans
when shares are surrendered to pay all or a portion of the
exercise price or to satisfy any federal income tax obligations;
provided, however, that such repurchases, acquisitions or
retirements shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount
of Restricted Payments; |
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(7) the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of
Capital Stock in connection with any transaction otherwise
permitted under this covenant; provided, however, that
such payment will be excluded in the calculation of the amount
of Restricted Payments; |
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(8) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset
Disposition and within 60 days after the completion of the
offer to repurchase the Notes pursuant to the covenants
described under Change of Control above or
Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary
Stock below (including the purchase of all Notes
tendered), any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance,
acquisition or other retirement for value of Subordinated
Obligations required pursuant to the terms thereof as a result
of such Change of Control or Asset Disposition at a purchase or
redemption price not to exceed 101% of the outstanding principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if
any; provided, however, that (A) at the time of such
purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
acquisition or retirement for value, no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom), and
(B) such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or
other acquisition and retirement for value will be excluded in
the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; or |
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(9) any redemption pursuant to a Qualified
Redemption Transaction; provided, however, that such
redemption shall be included in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments at the time of the redemption. |
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be
the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of
the assets proposed to be transferred by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with
the Restricted Payment.
For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, if a
Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the
types of Restricted Payments described above, the Company, in
its sole discretion, may order and classify such Restricted
Payment in any manner in compliance with this covenant.
As of December 31, 2005, the Restricted Payment Basket was
in excess of $1.2 billion.
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Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from
Restricted Subsidiaries |
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on
the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay
dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock
to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company, (b) make any loans or
advances to the Company or (c) transfer any of its property
or assets to the Company, except:
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(1) with respect to clauses (a), (b) and (c), |
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(i) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement
governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock and other agreements or
instruments in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date; |
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(ii) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any
Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary or Capital
Stock or other agreement or instrument of such Restricted
Subsidiary in existence on or prior to the date on which such
Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise
became a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness
Incurred, Capital Stock issued or agreements or instruments
entered into as consideration in, or to provide all or any
portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate,
the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to
which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary
or was acquired by the Company) and outstanding on such date; |
S-28
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(iii) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an
agreement effecting a Refinancing in whole or in part of
Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in
clause (i) or (ii) of clause (1) of this covenant
or this clause (iii) or clause (B) of
clause (2) of this covenant or contained in any amendment
to, or modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement,
replacement or extension of an agreement referred to in
clause (i) or (ii) of clause (1) of this covenant
or this clause (iii) or clause (B) of clause (2)
of this covenant; provided, however, that the
encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted
Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing agreement or
amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase,
supplement, replacement or extension agreement are not
materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than encumbrances
and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary
contained in such predecessor agreements; |
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(iv) any customary encumbrance or restriction with respect
to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to a merger
agreement or an agreement entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or
assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such
sale or disposition; |
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(v) customary encumbrances and restrictions contained in
agreements of the types described in the definition of the term
Permitted Business Investments; and |
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(vi) customary supermajority voting provisions and other
customary provisions with respect to the disposition or
distribution of assets, each contained in corporate charters,
bylaws, stockholders agreements, limited liability company
agreements, partnership agreements, joint venture agreements and
other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and |
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(2) with respect to clause (c) only, |
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(A) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of
customary nonassignment provisions (including provisions
forbidding subletting or sublicensing) in leases governing
leasehold interests and licenses to the extent such provisions
restrict the transfer of the lease or license or the property
leased or licensed thereunder; |
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(B) any encumbrance or restriction contained in credit
agreements, security agreements or mortgages securing
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the
extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of
the property subject to such credit agreements, security
agreements or mortgages; |
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(C) encumbrances and restrictions contained in any
agreement, instrument or Capital Stock assumed by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or for which any of them
becomes liable as in effect at the time of such transaction
(except to the extent such agreement, instrument or Capital
Stock was entered into in connection with or in contemplation of
such transaction), which encumbrances and restrictions are not
applicable to, any assets other than assets acquired in
connection with such transaction and all improvements, additions
and accessions thereto and products and proceeds thereof; |
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(D) restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by
customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(E) encumbrances and restrictions contained in contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business, not relating to
any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the
aggregate, detract from the value of, or from the ability of the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to realize the value of,
property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; and |
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(F) restrictions on the transfer of property or assets
required by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary. |
S-29
The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary
Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist or become effective any Lien securing
Indebtedness of any kind except for Permitted Liens, on or with
respect to any of its assets, whether owned at the Issue Date or
thereafter acquired, unless (A) in the case of any Lien
securing Subordinated Obligations, the Notes are secured by a
Lien on such assets that is senior in priority to such Lien and
(B) in the case of any other Lien, the Notes are either
secured equally or ratably with such Indebtedness or are secured
by a Lien on such assets that is senior in priority to such Lien.
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Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock |
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any
Asset Disposition unless:
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(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives
consideration at the time of such Asset Disposition at least
equal to the fair market value (including as to the value of all
non-cash consideration) (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors, an Officer or an officer of such Restricted
Subsidiary with responsibility for such transaction, which
determination shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with
this provision), of the shares and assets subject to such Asset
Disposition; |
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(2) at least 75% of the consideration thereof received by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash
or cash equivalents, oil and natural gas properties or capital
assets to be used by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
the Oil and Gas Business; and |
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(3) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from
such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) |
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(A) first, to the extent the Company elects (or is
required by the terms of any Indebtedness), to prepay, repay,
purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or
retire for value Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor or Indebtedness (other than any
Disqualified Stock) of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is not a
Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case other than Indebtedness owed
to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within one year
from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the
receipt of such Net Available Cash; |
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(B) second, to the extent of the balance of such Net
Available Cash after application in accordance with
clause (A), to the extent the Company elects, to acquire
Additional Assets or to make capital expenditures in the Oil and
Gas Business within one year from the later of the date of such
Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available
Cash; and |
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(C) third, to the extent of the balance of such Net
Available Cash after application in accordance with
clauses (A) and (B), to make an offer to the Holders
of the Notes (and to holders of other Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company designated by the Company) to
purchase Notes (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness
of the Company) pursuant to and subject to the conditions
contained in the Indenture; |
provided, however, that in connection with any
prepayment, repayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption,
defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of
Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A) or (C) above,
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall permanently
retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the related loan
commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal
to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this covenant, the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be required to
apply any Net Available Cash in accordance with this covenant
except to the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from
all Asset Dispositions which is not applied in accordance with
this covenant exceeds $20 million. Pending application of
Net Available Cash pursuant to this covenant, such Net Available
Cash shall be invested in Temporary Cash Investments or applied
to temporarily reduce revolving credit indebtedness.
S-30
For the purposes of this covenant, the following are deemed to
be cash or cash equivalents:
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(1) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in
connection with such Asset Disposition; and |
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(2) securities received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 120 days of
their receipt. |
Notwithstanding the preceding, the 75% limitation referred to in
paragraph (a)(2) above shall be deemed satisfied with
respect to any Asset Disposition in which the cash or cash
equivalents portion of the consideration received therefrom,
determined in accordance with the preceding provision on an
after-tax basis, is equal to or greater than what the after-tax
proceeds would have been had such Asset Disposition complied
with the aforementioned 75% limitation.
The requirement of clause (a)(3)(B) above shall be deemed
to be satisfied if an agreement (including a lease, whether a
capital lease or an operating lease) committing to make the
acquisitions or expenditures referred to therein is entered into
by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary within the time
period specified in such clause and such Net Available Cash is
subsequently applied in accordance with such agreement within
six months following such agreement.
(b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the
purchase of Notes (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of
the Company) pursuant to clause (a)(3)(C) above, the
Company will make such offer to purchase Notes on or before the
366th day after the later of the date of such Asset
Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash, and will
purchase Notes tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for
the Notes (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of
the Company) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal
amount (or, in the event such other Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company was issued with significant original
issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) without
premium, plus accrued but unpaid interest (or, in respect of
such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, such
lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of
such Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) in
accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event
of oversubscription) set forth in the Indenture. If the
aggregate purchase price of the securities tendered exceeds the
Net Available Cash allotted to their purchase, the Company will
select the securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis but in
round denominations, which in the case of the Notes will be
denominations of $1,000 principal amount or multiples thereof.
The Company shall not be required to make such an offer to
purchase Notes (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of
the Company) pursuant to this covenant if the Net Available Cash
available therefor is less than $20 million (which lesser
amount shall be carried forward for purposes of determining
whether such an offer is required with respect to the Net
Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition). Upon
completion of such an offer to purchase, Net Available Cash will
be deemed to be reduced by the aggregate amount of such offer.
(c) The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with
the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and
any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the
repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent
that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations
conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Company will
comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and
will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
covenant by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws
or regulations.
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Limitation on Affiliate Transactions |
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction (including
the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, employee
compensation arrangements or the
S-31
rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any
Affiliate of the Company (an Affiliate
Transaction) unless:
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(1) the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are no less
favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than
those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained at the
time of the Affiliate Transaction in arms-length dealings
with a Person who is not an Affiliate; |
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(2) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in
excess of $15 million, the terms of the Affiliate
Transaction are set forth in writing and a majority of the
non-employee directors of the Company disinterested with respect
to such Affiliate Transaction have determined in good faith that
the criteria set forth in clause (1) are satisfied and have
approved the relevant Affiliate Transaction as evidenced by a
resolution of the Board of Directors; and |
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(3) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in
excess of $30 million, the Board of Directors shall also
have received a written opinion from an Independent Qualified
Party to the effect that such Affiliate Transaction is fair,
from a financial standpoint, to the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries or is not less favorable to the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries than could reasonably be expected to be
obtained at the time in an arms-length transaction with a
Person who was not an Affiliate. |
(b) The provisions of the preceding
paragraph (a) will not prohibit:
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(1) any Investment or other Restricted Payment, in each
case not prohibited to be made pursuant to the covenant
described under Limitation on Restricted
Payments; |
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(2) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards
or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the
funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock
ownership plans and other benefit plans approved by the Board of
Directors; |
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(3) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees
who are Affiliates in the ordinary course of business of the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, but in any event not to
exceed $3.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one
time; |
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(4) any transaction with a Restricted Subsidiary or joint
venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate
Transaction solely because the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such
Restricted Subsidiary, joint venture or similar entity; |
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(5) the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company; |
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(6) reasonable fees and reasonable compensation paid to,
and indemnity and similar arrangements provided on behalf of,
officers, directors and employees of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors or the Companys senior management; and |
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(7) any agreement as in effect on the Issue Date and
described in this prospectus supplement or any renewals or
extensions of any such agreement (so long as such renewals or
extensions are not less favorable to the Company or the
Restricted Subsidiaries) and the transactions evidenced thereby. |
The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or
convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of, in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or
indirectly, all or substantially all the assets of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to, any
Person, unless:
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(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the
Successor Company) shall be a Person
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the
Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume,
by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to
the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the
obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture; |
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(2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such
transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an
obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary as a
result of such transaction |
S-32
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as having been Incurred by such Successor Company or such
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall
have occurred and be continuing; |
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(3) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such
transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur an
additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to
paragraph (a) of the covenant described under
Limitation on Indebtedness; |
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(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each
stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or
lease and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the
Indenture; and |
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(5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders will not
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes
as a result of such transaction 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 transaction had
not occurred; |
provided, however, that clause (3) will not be
applicable (A) to the Company consolidating with, merging
into, conveying, transferring, leasing or otherwise disposing of
all or part of its assets to a Subsidiary Guarantor or
(B) to the Company merging with an Affiliate of the Company
solely for the purpose and with the sole effect of
reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction within the
United States of America or (C) at a time when the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended
Covenants.
For purposes of this covenant, the conveyance, transfer, lease
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which assets, if
held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would
constitute all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
The Successor Company (if not the Company) will be the successor
to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and
may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the
Indenture, and the predecessor Company, except in the case of a
lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the
principal of and interest on the Notes.
The Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to
consolidate with or merge with or into any Person, except
another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company, unless:
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(1) except in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor whose
Capital Stock has been disposed of in its entirety to another
Person (other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company), including through a merger or consolidation, if in
connection therewith the Company complies with its obligations
under the covenant described under Limitation on
Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock in respect of such
disposition, the resulting or surviving Person (if not such
Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be a Person organized and existing
under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary
Guarantor was organized or under the laws of the United States
of America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia,
and such Person shall expressly assume, by a Guaranty Agreement,
all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its
Subsidiary Guaranty; |
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(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on
a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes
an obligation of the resulting or surviving Person as a result
of such transaction as having been issued by such Person at the
time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing; and |
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(3) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation or merger and such Guaranty Agreement comply with
the Indenture. |
The Company will cause each Restricted Subsidiary that
Guarantees or secures any other Indebtedness of the Company to,
at the same time, execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guaranty
Agreement pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will
Guarantee payment of the Notes on the same terms and conditions
as those set forth in the Indenture.
S-33
Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Company will file with the SEC (to the extent
the SEC will accept such filings) and provide the Trustee and
Noteholders with such annual reports and such information,
documents and other reports as are specified in Sections 13
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a
U.S. corporation subject to such Sections (but, without
exhibits in the case of Noteholders), such information,
documents and other reports to be so filed and provided at the
times specified for the filings of such information, documents
and reports under such Sections.
Defaults
In lieu of the Events of Default described in the accompanying
prospectus under the caption Description of Debt
Securities Events of Default, each of the following
will be an Event of Default with respect to the Notes:
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(1) a default in the payment of interest on the Notes when
due, continued for 30 days; |
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(2) a default in the payment of principal of any Note when
due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon
required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; |
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(3) the failure by the Company to comply with its
obligations under Certain Covenants Merger and
Consolidation above; |
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(4) the failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor
to comply with its other agreements contained in the Indenture; |
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(5) principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (other
than Non-Recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness) of the Company,
any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary is not
paid within any applicable grace period after payment is due, or
the principal thereof is accelerated by the holders thereof
because of a default, and the total principal amount of such
Indebtedness exceeds $10 million (the cross
acceleration provision), provided, however,
that if any such Indebtedness is repaid or any such
acceleration rescinded, within a period of 10 days beyond
the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such
acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any
consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically
rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any
judgment or decree; |
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(6) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or any
Significant Subsidiary (the bankruptcy
provisions); |
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(7) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in
excess of $10 million above the coverage under applicable
insurance policies and indemnities as to which the relevant
insurer or indemnitor has not disclaimed responsibility is
entered against the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or any
Significant Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60
consecutive days following such judgment and is not discharged,
waived or stayed (the judgment default
provision); or |
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(8) a Subsidiary Guaranty ceases to be in full force and
effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such
Subsidiary Guaranty) for five days after notice or a Subsidiary
Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its
Subsidiary Guaranty (the Guaranty Failure
Provision). |
However, a default under clauses (4) and (8) will not
constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes
notify the Company of the default and the Company does not cure
such default within 90 days after receipt of such notice.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but
unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon
such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and
payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest
on all the Notes will ipso facto become
S-34
and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or
other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders of the
Notes. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such
acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.
Subject to indemnification of the Trustee and the satisfaction
of certain other conditions, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may 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 Notes. A Noteholder
will not have any right to institute any proceeding with respect
to the Indenture, unless:
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the Holder has given written notice to the Trustee of an Event
of Default; |
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the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes have made written request, and such Holders
have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute
such proceeding as trustee; and |
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the Trustee fails to institute such proceeding, and has not
received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such
request, within 60 days after such notice, request and
offer. |
Such limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by
a Holder for the enforcement of payment of the principal of and
interest or premium on its Note on or after the applicable due
date.
We are required to furnish to the Trustee annually within
120 days of the end of each fiscal year a statement by
certain of our officers as to whether or not we are in default
in the performance of any of the terms of the Indenture.
Amendments and Waivers
Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended with
the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Notes (and the holders of a majority in principal amount of
each other series of our subordinated debt securities affected
by the amendment) then outstanding (including consents obtained
in connection with a tender or exchange offer for the Notes) and
any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be
waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. However, without
the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected
thereby, an amendment or waiver may not, among other things:
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(1) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent
to an amendment; |
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(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of
interest on any Note; |
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(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity
of any Note; |
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(4) reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any
Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed as
described under Optional Redemption above; |
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(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated
in the Note; |
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(6) impair the right of any Holder of the Notes to receive
payment of principal of and interest on such Holders Notes
on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such
Holders Notes; |
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(7) make any change in the amendment provisions which
require each Holders consent or in the waiver provisions; |
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(8) make any change in the ranking or priority of any Note
that would adversely affect the Noteholders in any material
respect; or |
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(9) make any change in any Subsidiary Guaranty that would
adversely affect the Noteholders in any material respect. |
S-35
Notwithstanding the preceding, the covenant described under the
caption Change of Control may be waived or
amended as described in the last paragraph of the description.
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any Holder
of the Notes, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Trustee
may amend the Indenture:
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(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or
inconsistency; |
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(2) to provide for the assumption by a successor of the
obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Indenture; |
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(3) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or
in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated
Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of
Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the
uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B)
of the Code); |
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(4) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes, including
any Subsidiary Guaranties, or to secure the Notes; |
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(5) to add to the covenants of the Company or a Subsidiary
Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to
surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or a
Subsidiary Guarantor; |
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(6) to make any change that does not adversely affect the
rights of any Holder of the Notes in any material respect; |
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(7) to make any change in the subordination provisions of
the Indenture that would limit or terminate the benefits
available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or
any Subsidiary Guarantor; |
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(8) to make any change in respect of one or more other
series of subordinated debt securities that is not applicable to
the Notes; |
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(9) to establish any other series of subordinated debt
securities as permitted by the Indenture; or |
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(10) to provide for a successor Trustee. |
However, no amendment may be made to the subordination
provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of
any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary
Guarantor then outstanding unless such holder of such Senior
Indebtedness (or its Representative) consents to such change or
as otherwise permitted by the notes, debentures, bonds or other
similar instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness.
Defeasance and Discharge
The Notes will be subject to legal defeasance, to covenant
defeasance and to satisfaction and discharge, in each case at
our option.
At any time, we may terminate all our obligations under the
Notes and the Indenture (legal defeasance),
except for certain obligations, including those respecting the
defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in
respect of the Notes.
In addition, at any time we may terminate our obligations under
Change of Control and under the covenants
described under Certain Covenants (other than
the covenant described under Merger and
Consolidation), the operation of the cross acceleration
provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Subsidiary
Guarantors and Significant Subsidiaries and the judgment default
and Guaranty Failure Provisions described under
Defaults above and the limitations contained
in clause (3) of the first paragraph under
S-36
Certain Covenants Merger and
Consolidation above (covenant defeasance)
if we comply with the conditions specified in the Indenture.
In order to exercise either our legal defeasance option or our
covenant defeasance option, we must deposit, in trust for the
benefit of the Noteholders, money or U.S. Government
Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal
and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms,
will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal
of and any premium and interest on the Notes on the respective
stated maturities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
and the Notes.
We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our
prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise
our legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be
accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto.
If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the
Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default
specified in clause (4), (5), (6) (with respect only to
Significant Subsidiaries and Subsidiary Guarantors), (7) or
(8) under Defaults above or because of
the failure of the Company to comply with clause (3) of the
first paragraph under Certain Covenants Merger
and Consolidation above. If we exercise our legal
defeasance option or our covenant defeasance option, each
Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its
obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guaranty.
In order to exercise either of our defeasance options, we must
comply with certain other conditions, including that no Default
has occurred and is continuing after the deposit in trust and
the delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain
or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of
such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such deposit in trust and
defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance
only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the
Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable
U.S. federal income tax law.
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Satisfaction and Discharge |
In addition, the Indenture will cease to be of further effect
with respect to the Notes, subject to exceptions relating to
compensation and indemnity of the Trustee and repayment to us of
excess money, when:
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(a) all outstanding Notes have been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation; or |
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(b) all outstanding Notes not delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation either: |
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have become due and payable; |
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will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one
year; or |
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are to be called for redemption within one year; and |
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we have deposited with the Trustee money in trust sufficient to
pay the entire indebtedness on the Notes when due; and |
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we have paid all other sums payable by us with respect to the
Notes. |
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form; Payment
We initially will issue the Notes in the form of one or more
global notes. Please read Description of Debt
Securities Book-Entry System and Payment
and Transfer in the accompanying prospectus.
No Recourse
Our incorporators, directors, officers, employees and
stockholders, as such, shall have no liability for any
obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company under the
Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of,
or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder
by accepting a Note
S-37
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release
are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. 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.
Concerning the Trustee
The Indenture contains certain limitations on the right of the
Trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of
claims in certain cases, or to realize for its own account on
certain property received in respect of any such claim as
security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in
certain other transactions. However, if it acquires any
conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture
Act after a Default has occurred and is continuing, it must
eliminate the conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for
permission to continue as Trustee or resign.
If an Event of Default occurs and is not cured or waived, the
Trustee is required to exercise such of the rights and powers
vested in it by the 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.
Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will not be under any
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request of any of the Holders of Notes unless
they have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities it may
incur.
Wachovia Bank, National Association is the Trustee under the
Indenture and has been appointed by us as security registrar and
paying agent with regard to the Notes. Wachovia Bank, National
Association is a lender under our credit facilities. Wachovia
Bank, National Association is also an affiliate of Wachovia
Capital Markets, LLC, an underwriter of the Notes.
Governing Law
The Indenture and the Notes are governed by, and will be
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Certain Definitions
2002 Issue Date means August 13, 2002,
the date of original issue of the 2012 Notes.
2012 Notes means the Companys
83/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012.
2014 Notes means the Companys
65/8
% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014.
Additional Assets means:
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(1) any property, plant or equipment used in a Related
Business; |
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(2) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock
by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or |
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(3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any
Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; |
provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary
described in clause (2) or (3) above is primarily
engaged in a Related Business.
Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or
ACNTA means (without duplication), as of the
date of determination:
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(1) discounted future net revenue from proved crude oil and
natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before
any state or federal income taxes, as estimated by the
Companys reserve engineers in a reserve report prepared as
of the end of the fiscal year ending at least 45 days prior
to the date of determination, as |
S-38
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increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted
future net revenue calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines
(utilizing the prices utilized in such year end reserve report)
of: |
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(A) estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to
acquisitions consummated since the date of such reserve
report, and |
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(B) estimated crude oil and natural gas reserves of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to
extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward
determinations of estimates of proved crude oil and natural gas
reserves (including previously estimated development costs
incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since
the prior period end) due to exploration, development or
exploitation, production or other activities which reserves were
not reflected in such reserve report which would, in accordance
with standard industry practice, result in such determinations, |
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and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the
discounted future net revenue calculated in accordance with SEC
guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year end
reserve report) attributable to: |
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(C) estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such
reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such
reserve report, and |
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(D) reductions in the estimated crude oil and natural gas
reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
reflected in such reserve report since the date of such reserve
report attributable to downward determinations of estimates of
proved crude oil and natural gas reserves due to exploration,
development or exploitation, production or other activities
conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such reserve
report which would, in accordance with standard industry
practice, result in such determinations; |
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(2) the capitalized costs that are attributable to crude
oil and natural gas properties of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries to which no proved crude oil and natural gas
reserves are attributed, based on the Companys books and
records as of a date no earlier than the end of the most recent
fiscal quarter for which financial statements of the Company
have been made publicly available prior to the date of
determination; |
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(3) the Net Working Capital as of the end of the most
recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements of the
Company have been made publicly available prior to the date of
determination; and |
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(4) the greater of (i) the net book value as of a date
no earlier than the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for
which financial statements of the Company have been made
publicly available prior to the date of determination and
(ii) the appraised value, as estimated by independent
appraisers, of other tangible assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the most
recent fiscal year for which financial statements of the Company
have been made publicly available prior to the date of
determination (provided that the Company shall not be required
to obtain such an appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal
has been performed); minus |
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(b) to the extent not otherwise taken into account in the
immediately preceding clause (a), the sum of: |
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(1) minority interests; |
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(2) any natural gas balancing liabilities of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Companys
latest audited consolidated financial statements; |
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(3) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in
accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices
utilized in the Companys year-end reserve report),
attributable to reserves subject to participation interests,
overriding royalty interests or other interests of third
parties, pursuant to |
S-39
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participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements
then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered
to third parties; |
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(4) the discounted future net revenue calculated in
accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices
utilized in the Companys year-end reserve report),
attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to
third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric
Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect
thereto; and |
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(5) the discounted future net revenue calculated in
accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject
to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the
estimates of production included in determining the discounted
future net revenue specified in the immediately preceding
clause (a) (1) (utilizing the same prices utilized in the
Companys year-end reserve report), would be necessary to
satisfy fully the obligations of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production
Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto. |
If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full
cost method to the successful efforts method or a similar method
of accounting, ACNTA will continue to be calculated
as if the Company were still using the full cost method of
accounting.
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 the purposes of this definition,
control when used with respect to any Person means
the power to direct the management and policies of such Person,
directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
controlling and controlled have meanings
correlative to the foregoing. For purposes of the covenants
described under Certain Covenants Limitation
on Restricted Payments, Certain
Covenants Limitation on Affiliate Transactions and
Certain Covenants Limitation on Sales of
Assets and Subsidiary Stock only, Affiliate
shall also mean any beneficial owner of Capital Stock
representing 10% or more of the total voting power of the Voting
Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights or
warrants to purchase such Capital Stock (whether or not
currently exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate
of any such beneficial owner pursuant to the first sentence
hereof.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to a
Note at any time, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal
amount of such Note at such time and (2) the excess of
(A) the present value at such time of the principal amount
of such Note plus any required interest payments due on such
Note from the redemption date to April 15, 2011, computed
using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus
50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such
Note.
Asset Disposition means any sale, lease,
transfer or other disposition (or series of related sales,
leases, transfers or dispositions) by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary or a Restricted Subsidiary, including any
disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar
transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this
definition as a disposition), of:
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(1) any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary
(other than directors qualifying shares or shares required
by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary); |
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(2) all or substantially all the assets of any division or
line of business of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; or |
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(3) any other assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary |
other than, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and
(3) above,
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(A) a disposition by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; |
S-40
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(B) for purposes of the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Limitation on Sales of
Assets and Subsidiary Stock only, (x) a disposition
that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by the covenant
described under Certain Covenants Limitation
on Restricted Payments or a Permitted Investment and
(y) a disposition of all or substantially all the assets of
the Company in accordance with the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Merger and
Consolidation; |
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(C) the trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of any property used in the Oil and Gas Business of
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for any similar property
of another Person, including any cash or cash equivalents
necessary in order to achieve an exchange of equivalent value;
provided, however, that the value of the property received by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such trade or
exchange (including any cash or cash equivalents) is at least
equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors, an Officer or an officer of such
Restricted Subsidiary with responsibility for such transaction,
which determination shall be conclusive evidence of compliance
with this provision) of the property (including any cash or cash
equivalents) so traded or exchanged; |
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(D) the creation of a Lien; |
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(E) a disposition of oil and natural gas properties in
connection with tax credit transactions complying with
Section 29 or any successor or analogous provisions of the
Code; |
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(F) a disposition of the Capital Stock of or any Investment
in any Unrestricted Subsidiary; |
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(G) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the
settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other
claims of any kind; |
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(H) any disposition of defaulted receivables that arose in
the ordinary course of business for collection; and |
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(I) a disposition of assets with a fair market value of
less than $5.0 million. |
Attributable Debt in respect of a Sale/
Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination,
the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the
Notes, compounded semiannually) of the total obligations of the
lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the
lease included in such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction (including
any period for which such lease has been extended); provided,
however, that if such Sale/ Leaseback Transaction results in
a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness
represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the
definition of Capital Lease Obligation.
Average Life means, as of the date of
determination, with respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient
obtained by dividing:
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(1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from
the date of determination to the dates of each successive
scheduled principal payment of or redemption or similar payment
with respect to such Indebtedness multiplied by the amount of
such payment by |
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(2) the sum of all such payments. |
Bank Indebtedness means all Obligations
pursuant to Credit Facilities.
Board of Directors means the board of
directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly
authorized to act on behalf of such board.
Business Day means each day which is not a
Legal Holiday.
Capital Lease Obligation means an obligation
that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital
lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP,
and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation
shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in
accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be
the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due
under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease
may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.
S-41
Capital Stock of any Person means any and all
shares, units of beneficial interests, rights to purchase,
warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or
interests in (however designated) equity of such Person,
including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities
convertible into such equity.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
Consolidated Coverage Ratio as of any date of
determination means the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount
of EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive
fiscal quarters for which financial information of the Company
has been made publicly available prior to the date of such
determination to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such
four fiscal quarters; provided, however, that:
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(1) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has
Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period
that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to
the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an
Incurrence of Indebtedness, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after
giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness and the
use of proceeds thereof as if such Indebtedness had been
Incurred on the first day of such period and such proceeds had
been applied as of such date; |
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(2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid,
repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness
since the beginning of such period or if any Indebtedness is to
be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on the
date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the
Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis
as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such
period and as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had
not earned the interest income actually earned (if any) during
such period in respect of cash or Temporary Cash Investments
used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such
Indebtedness; |
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(3) if since the beginning of such period the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition,
EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to
EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which
were the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period, or
increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative), directly
attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to
the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any
Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid,
repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to
the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in
connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if
the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly
attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary
to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted
Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after
such sale); |
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(4) if since the beginning of such period the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have
made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person
which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of
material assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring
in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to be
made under the Indenture, which constitutes all or substantially
all of an operating unit of a business, EBITDA and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after
giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any
Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on
the first day of such period; and |
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(5) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that
subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with
or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the
beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition,
any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required
an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if
made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such
period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period
shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if
such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition occurred on
the first day of such period. |
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to
be given to an acquisition of assets, the amount of income or
earnings relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated
Interest Expense associated
S-42
with any Indebtedness Incurred in connection therewith, the pro
forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a
responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company. If
any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being
given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall
be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of
determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period
(taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to
such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Interest
Rate Agreement is less than 12 months, then such Interest
Rate Agreement shall only be taken into account for that portion
of the period equal to the remaining term thereof).
The Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on
any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, the
outstanding principal balance of which is required to be
computed on a pro forma basis in accordance with the preceding,
shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such
Indebtedness during the applicable period, provided, that such
average daily balance shall take into account the amount of any
repayment of Indebtedness under such revolving credit facility
during the applicable period, to the extent such repayment
permanently reduced the commitments or amounts available to be
borrowed under such facility.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, for any
period, the total interest expense of the Company and its
consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not
included in such total interest expense, and to the extent
incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, without
duplication:
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(1) interest expense attributable to capital leases and the
interest expense attributable to leases constituting part of a
Sale/ Leaseback Transaction; |
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(2) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost; |
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(3) capitalized interest; |
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(4) non-cash interest expense; |
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(5) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed
with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance
financing; |
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(6) net payments pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements; |
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(7) Preferred Stock dividends in respect of all Preferred
Stock held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary (other than dividends payable solely in Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company); |
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(8) interest incurred in connection with Investments in
discontinued operations; |
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(9) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other
Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by (or
secured by the assets of) the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; and |
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(10) the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership
plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used
by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person
(other than the Company) in connection with Indebtedness
Incurred by such plan or trust; |
minus, to the extent included above, write-off of deferred
financing costs and interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated
Production Payments.
Consolidated Net Income means, for any
period, the net income of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that there shall not be
included in such Consolidated Net Income:
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(1) any net income of any Person (other than the Company)
if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that: |
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(A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4)
below, the Companys equity in the net income of any such
Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated
Net Income in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash
actually distributed by such Person during such period to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend, interest
payment or other |
S-43
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distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend, interest
payment or other distribution paid to a Restricted Subsidiary,
to the limitations contained in clause (3) below); and |
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(B) the Companys equity in a net loss of any such
Person for such period shall not be included in determining such
Consolidated Net Income, except to the extent of the aggregate
cash actually contributed to such Person by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary during such period; |
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(2) solely for the purposes of determining the aggregate
amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (a)
(3) of the covenant described under Certain
Covenants Limitation on Restricted Payments, any net
income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a
Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period
prior to the date of such acquisition; |
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(3) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary if such
Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or
indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of
distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to the Company, except that: |
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(A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4)
below, the Companys equity in the net income of any such
Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such
Consolidated Net Income in an amount equal to the aggregate
amount of cash that could have been distributed by such
Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or
another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend, interest payment or
other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend, interest
payment or other distribution paid to another Restricted
Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and |
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(B) the Companys equity in a net loss of any such
Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income; |
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(4) any gain or loss, together with any related provision
for taxes on such gain or loss and all related fees and
expenses, realized in connection with (A) the sale or other
disposition of any assets of the Company, its consolidated
Subsidiaries or any other Person (including pursuant to any
Sale/ Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise
disposed of in the ordinary course of business and (B) the
disposition of any securities of any Person or the
extinguishment of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; |
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(5) extraordinary or non-recurring gains or losses,
together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or
losses and all related fees and expenses; and |
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(6) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles; |
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(7) any impairment losses on oil and natural gas properties; |
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(8) any unrealized noncash gains or losses or charges in
respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from
the application of SFAS 133); and |
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(9) any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant
of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards. |
Notwithstanding the preceding, for the purposes of the covenant
described under Certain Covenants Limitation
on Restricted Payments only, there shall be excluded from
Consolidated Net Income any repurchases, repayments or
redemptions of Investments, proceeds realized on the sale of
Investments or return of capital to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent such repurchases, repayments,
redemptions, proceeds or returns increase the amount of
Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to
clause (a)(3)(E) thereof.
Consolidated Net Worth means the total of the
amounts shown on the balance sheet of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, as of the end
S-44
of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company ending at least
45 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose
of which the determination is being made, as the sum of:
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(1) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital
Stock of the Company plus |
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(2) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such
Capital Stock plus |
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(3) any retained earnings or earned surplus |
less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts
attributable to Disqualified Stock.
Credit Facilities means, with respect to the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt
facilities (including under the Revolving Credit Facility) or
commercial paper facilities with banks or other lenders
providing revolving credit loans, term loans, Production
Payments, receivables financing (including through the sale of
receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended,
restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in
whole or in part from time to time.
Currency Agreement means in respect of a
Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or
other similar agreement designed to protect such Person against
fluctuations in currency values.
Default means any event which is, or after
notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
Designated Senior Indebtedness, with respect
to a Person means:
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(1) the Bank Indebtedness; and |
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(2) any other Senior Indebtedness of such Person which, at
the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount
outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination,
the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least
$25.0 million and is specifically designated by such Person
in the instrument evidencing or governing such Senior
Indebtedness as Designated Senior Indebtedness for
purposes of the Indenture. |
Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any
Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of
any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening
of any event:
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(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than
redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not
itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation
or otherwise; |
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(2) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the
bolder for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or |
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(3) is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the
occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part; |
in each case on or prior to the first anniversary of the Stated
Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that
(A) any Capital Stock that would not constitute
Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders
thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem
such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an asset
sale or change of control shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock if:
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(1) the asset sale or change of
control provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are
not more favorable, as measured by the purchase or redemption
price or the breadth of the definition of the event or events
triggering such purchase or redemption obligation, to the
holders of such Capital Stock than the terms applicable to the
Notes and described under Certain Covenants
Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock and
Certain Covenants Change of
Control; and |
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(2) any such requirement only becomes operative after
compliance with such terms applicable to the Notes, including
the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto, |
and (B) any Capital Stock that would constitute
Disqualified Stock solely because such Capital Stock is issued
pursuant to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company
or Subsidiaries of the Company or by
S-45
any such plan to such employees and may be required to be
repurchased by the Company in order to satisfy applicable
statutory or regulatory obligations shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock.
The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed
redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in
accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such
Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any
date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be
determined pursuant to the Indenture; provided, however,
that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be
redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such
determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price
will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected
in the most recent financial statements of such Person.
Dollar-Denominated Production Payments means
production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in
accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and
obligations in connection therewith.
EBITDA for any period means the sum of
Consolidated Net Income, plus the following to the extent
deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:
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(1) all income tax expense of the Company and its
consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(2) Consolidated Interest Expense; |
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(3) depreciation, depletion, exploration and amortization
expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted
Subsidiaries (excluding amortization expense attributable to a
prepaid operating activity item that was paid in cash in a prior
period); and |
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(4) all other non-cash charges of the Company and its
consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such
non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of
or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period); |
in each case for such period, and less, to the extent included
in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any
costs or expenses attributable thereto and deducted in
calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of:
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(A) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized
during such period and are attributable to reserves that are
subject to Volumetric Production Payments; and |
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(B) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments
of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated
Production Payments. |
Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on
the income or profits of, and the depreciation, depletion,
exploration and amortization and non-cash charges of, a
Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income
to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same
proportion, including by reason of minority interests) that the
net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in
calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding
amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be
dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without
prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the
terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments,
decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations
applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Existing Investments means assets (including
securities) held by the Company or any of the Restricted
Subsidiaries as consideration for an Investment made on or
before the Issue Date or acquired thereafter pursuant to any
agreement or obligation as in effect on the Issue Date.
Finance Person means a Subsidiary of the
Company that is organized as a business trust or similar entity
for the primary purposes of (1) holding Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary with
respect to which payments of interest can, at the election of
the issuer thereof, be deferred for one or more payment periods,
and (2) issuing Qualifying Trust Preferred Securities,
the proceeds of which are lent to the Company or Restricted
Subsidiary.
S-46
GAAP means generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America as in effect from
time to time.
Guarantee means any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any
Indebtedness of any Person and any obligation, direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
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(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the
purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such Person
(whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by
agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities
or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise); or |
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(2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other
manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof
or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in
whole or in part); |
provided, however, that the term Guarantee
shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business. The term Guarantee used
as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term
Guarantor shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any
Indebtedness.
Guaranty Agreement means a supplemental
indenture, substantially in the form prescribed in the
Indenture, pursuant to which a Subsidiary Guarantor guarantees
the Companys obligations with respect to the Notes on the
terms provided for in the Indenture.
Hedging Obligations of any Person means the
obligations of such Person pursuant to any Oil and Natural Gas
Hedging Contract, Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.
Holder or Noteholder means
the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the security
registrars books.
Incur means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur
or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that
any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the
time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by
merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed
to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary. The term Incurrence when used
as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. Solely for purposes
of determining compliance with Certain
Covenants Limitation on Indebtedness:
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(1) amortization of debt discount or the accretion of
principal with respect to a non-interest bearing or other
discount security; |
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(2) the payment of regularly scheduled interest in the form
of additional Indebtedness of the same instrument or the payment
of regularly scheduled dividends on Capital Stock in the form of
additional Capital Stock of the same class and with the same
terms; |
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(3) the obligation to pay a premium in respect of
Indebtedness arising in connection with the issuance of a notice
of redemption or making of a mandatory offer to purchase such
Indebtedness; and |
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(4) unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging
Obligations (including those resulting from the application of
SFAS 133) |
will not be deemed to be Incurrences of Indebtedness.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any
Person on any date of determination (without duplication):
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(1) the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of
such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness
evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar
instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible
or liable, including, in each case, any premium on such
indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due and
payable; |
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(2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all
Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/ Leaseback Transactions
entered into by such Person; |
S-47
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(3) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale
obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person
under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade
accounts payable and accrued expenses); |
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(4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of
any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers acceptance or
similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect
to letters of credit securing obligations (other than
obligations described in clauses (1) through (3) above)
entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person
to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if
and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no
later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the
letter of credit); |
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(5) the amount of all obligations of such Person with
respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any
Disqualified Stock of such Person or, with respect to any
Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person the
principal amount of such Preferred Stock to be determined in
accordance with the Indenture (but excluding, in each case, any
accrued dividends) (and the term Incur Indebtedness
and similar terms include issuances of such Disqualified Stock
and Preferred Stock); |
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(6) all obligations of the types referred to in
clauses (1) through (5) of other Persons and all dividends
of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such
Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as
obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any
Guarantee; |
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(7) all obligations of the types referred to in
clauses (1) through (6) of other Persons secured by any
Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not
such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such
obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the liquidation
value of such property or asset and the amount of the obligation
so secured; |
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(8) to the extent not otherwise included in this
definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person; and |
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(9) any Guarantee by such Person of production or payment
with respect to a Production Payment, |
if and to the extent, in the case of obligations of the types
referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above,
such obligations would appear as a liability upon a balance
sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Except as expressly provided in clause (9) above,
Production Payments and Reserve Sales shall not constitute
Indebtedness. For purposes of the covenant captioned
Certain Covenants Limitation on
Indebtedness, Indebtedness shall not include Qualifying
Trust Preferred Securities and debt securities related to
Qualifying Trust Preferred Securities and held by a Finance
Person.
Notwithstanding the preceding, in connection with the purchase
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, the
term Indebtedness will exclude post-closing payment
adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the
extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance
sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such
business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time
of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable
and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and
determined, the amount is paid within 30 days thereafter.
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be
the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional
obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon
the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation,
of any contingent obligations at such date; provided,
however, that in the case of Indebtedness sold at a
discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time will be
the accreted value thereof at such time.
Independent Qualified Party means an
investment banking firm, accounting firm or appraisal firm of
national standing; provided, however, that such firm is not an
Affiliate of the Company.
Interest Rate Agreement means in respect of a
Person any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap
agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement designed
to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.
S-48
Investment in any Person means any direct or
indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (including
by way of Guarantee but excluding any such extension of credit
made in the ordinary course of business to any customer or
supplier) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer
of cash or other property to others or any payment for property
or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase
or acquisition for value of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other
similar instruments issued by such Person. Except as otherwise
provided for in the Indenture, the amount of an Investment shall
be its fair value at the time the Investment is made and without
giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
For purposes of the definition of Unrestricted
Subsidiary, the definition of Restricted
Payment and the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Limitation on Restricted
Payments:
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(1) Investment shall include the portion
(proportionate to the Companys equity interest in such
Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of any
Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is
designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and |
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(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time
of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors. |
Issue Date means April 3, 2006.
Legal Holiday means a Saturday, a Sunday or a
day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in
the State of New York.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in
the nature thereof).
Moodys means Moodys Investors
Service, Inc., and any successor to its credit rating business.
Net Available Cash from an Asset Disposition
means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash
payments received by way of deferred payment of principal
pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and
proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities
received as consideration, but only as and when received, but
excluding any other consideration received in the form of
assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other
obligations relating to such properties or assets or received in
any other non-cash form), in each case net of:
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(1) all accounting, engineering, investment banking,
brokerage, legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions
and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state,
provincial, foreign and local and other taxes required to be
accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such
Asset Disposition, and any relocation expenses incurred or
assumed in connection with such Asset Disposition; |
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(2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured
by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance
with the terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of
any kind with respect to such assets, or which must by its
terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset
Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds
from such Asset Disposition; |
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(3) all distributions and other payments required to be
made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries as
a result of such Asset Disposition; and |
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(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the
seller as a reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price
of the assets that were the subject of such Asset Disposition or
as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities
associated with the assets disposed in such Asset Disposition
and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after
such Asset Disposition. |
Net Cash Proceeds, with respect to any
issuance or sale of Capital Stock or Indebtedness, means the
cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys
fees, accountants fees, underwriters or placement
agents fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage,
consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with
such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof.
S-49
Net Present Value means, with respect to any
proved oil and natural gas reserves, the discounted future net
cash flows associated with such reserves, determined in
accordance with the rules and regulations (including
interpretations thereof) of the SEC in effect on the date of
this prospectus supplement.
Net Working Capital means:
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(1) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk
management activities arising in the ordinary course of
business; minus |
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(2) all current liabilities of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in
Indebtedness and current liabilities from commodity price risk
management activities arising in the ordinary course of business, |
determined in accordance with GAAP.
Non-Recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness
means (1) Indebtedness (other than Capital Lease
Obligations) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
incurred in connection with the acquisition by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business of
fixed assets used in the Oil and Gas Business (including office
buildings and other real property used by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary in conducting its operations) and
(2) any renewals and refinancings of such Indebtedness;
provided, however, that the holders of such Indebtedness
described in clauses (1) and (2) agree that they will
look solely to the fixed assets so acquired which secure such
Indebtedness (subject to customary exceptions such as
indemnifications for environmental and title matters and fraud)
for payment on or in respect of such Indebtedness and no default
with respect to such Indebtedness would permit (after notice or
passage of time or both), according to the terms of any other
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, any
holder of such other Indebtedness to declare a default under
such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of such other
Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated
Maturity.
Obligations means, with respect to any
Indebtedness, all obligations for principal, premium, interest,
penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, and other
amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such
Indebtedness.
Officer means the Chairman of the Board, the
President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of
the Company or its principal executive, financial or accounting
officer.
Officers Certificate means a
certificate signed by two Officers.
Oil and Gas Business means:
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(1) the acquisition, exploration, exploitation,
development, operation and disposition of interests in oil,
natural gas, other hydrocarbon and mineral properties; |
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(2) the gathering, marketing, distribution, treating,
processing, storage, refining, selling and transporting of any
production from such interests or properties and the marketing
of oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals obtained
from unrelated Persons; |
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(3) any business relating to or arising from exploration
for or exploitation, development, production, treatment,
processing, storage, refining, transportation, gathering or
marketing of oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals
and products produced in association therewith; and |
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(4) any activity necessary, appropriate or incidental to
the activities described in the preceding clauses (1)
through (3) of this definition. |
Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract means
any oil and natural gas hedging agreement and any other
agreement or arrangement designed to protect the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary against fluctuations in oil and natural
gas prices.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion
from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel
may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
S-50
Permitted Business Investments means
Investments and expenditures made in the ordinary course of, and
of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil
and Gas Business as means of actively exploiting, exploring for,
acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or
transporting oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals
through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that
permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory
requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other
objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil
and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:
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(1) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other
hydrocarbon and mineral properties or gathering, transportation,
processing, storage or related systems; and |
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(2) entry into, and Investments and expenditures in the
form of or pursuant to, operating agreements, working interests,
royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements,
farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, contracts for the sale,
transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other
hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements,
development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements,
unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding
agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements,
partnership agreements (whether general or limited), limited
liability company agreements, subscription agreements, stock
purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar
agreements with third parties (including Unrestricted
Subsidiaries). |
Permitted Investment means an Investment by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:
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(1) the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that
will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business
of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business; |
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(2) cash and Temporary Cash Investments; |
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(3) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of
business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with
customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade
terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company
or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the
circumstances; |
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(4) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters
that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be
treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in
the ordinary course of business; |
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(5) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees
made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(6) Capital Stock, obligations or securities received in
settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business
and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in
satisfaction of judgments; |
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(7) any Person to the extent such Investment represents the
non-cash portion of the consideration received for an Asset
Disposition as permitted pursuant to the covenant described
under Certain Covenants Limitation on Sales of
Assets and Subsidiary Stock or consideration received for
a disposition not constituting an Asset Disposition; |
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(8) any Person where such Investment was acquired by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in
exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with
or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or
recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or
accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect
to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with
respect to any secured Investment in default; |
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(9) any acquisitions of Capital Stock solely in exchange
for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company; provided, however, that the fair market value of
such Capital Stock, when taken |
S-51
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together with all other Capital Stock acquired pursuant to this
clause (9) and at the time owned by the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries, does not exceed $10.0 million; |
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(10) Hedging Obligations; |
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(11) obligations of one or more officers, directors or
employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
in connection with such individuals acquisition of shares
of Capital Stock of the Company (and refinancings of the
principal thereof and accrued interest thereon) so long as no
net cash or other assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries are paid by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to such individuals in connection with the
acquisition of any such obligations; |
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(12) Existing Investments and any Investments made with the
proceeds of any dispositions thereof; |
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(13) Permitted Business Investments; |
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(14) Guarantees of performance or other obligations (other
than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and
Gas Business, including obligations under oil and natural gas
exploration, development, joint operating, and related
agreements and licenses or concessions related to the Oil and
Gas Business; |
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(15) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable
instruments held for collection or deposit and lease, utility
and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits
entered into as a result of the operations of the business in
the ordinary course of business; and |
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(16) any Person, not otherwise permitted to be made
pursuant to clause (1) through (15), in an aggregate
amount, which when taken together with all other Investments
made on or after the Issue Date pursuant to this clause, does
not exceed $50 million at any one time outstanding,
measured as of the date such Investments are made without giving
effect to any subsequent changes in value (which Investments
shall be deemed no longer outstanding only upon the return of
capital thereof). |
Permitted Liens means the following types of
Liens:
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(1) Liens securing Senior Indebtedness; |
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(2) Liens in favor of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary; |
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(3) Liens securing the Notes; |
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(4) Liens existing as of the Issue Date; and |
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(5) Liens arising from the deposit of funds or securities
in trust for the purpose of decreasing or defeasing Indebtedness
so long as such deposit of funds or securities and such
decreasing or defeasing of Indebtedness are permitted under the
covenant described under Certain Covenants
Limitation on Restricted Payments. |
In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated
limitation on the assets that may be subject to such Lien, a
Permitted Lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets
may include Liens on all improvements, additions and accessions
thereto and all products and proceeds thereof (including,
without limitation, dividends, distributions and increases in
respect thereof).
Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof or any other entity.
Preferred Stock, as applied to the Capital
Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes
(however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of
dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of
such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of
such Person.
Principal of a Note means the principal of
the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is
due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.
S-52
Production Payments means, collectively,
Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production
Payments.
Production Payments and Reserve Sales means
the grant or transfer to any Person of a Dollar-Denominated
Production Payment, Volumetric Production Payment, royalty,
overriding royalty, net profits interest, master limited
partnership interest or other interest in oil and natural gas
properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of
the production or the proceeds from the sale of production
attributable to such properties.
Public Equity Offering means an underwritten
primary public offering of common stock of the Company pursuant
to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
Public Market exists at any time with respect
to the common stock of the Company if it is then
(1) registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(b)
or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and (2) traded either on a
national securities exchange or on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Qualified Redemption Transaction means
redemption of any Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligation
(including any Subordinated Indebtedness accounted for as a
minority interest of the Company that is held by a Finance
Person) that by its terms is convertible into common stock of
the Company if on the date of notice of call for such redemption
(1) a Public Market exists in the shares of common stock of
the Company and (2) the average closing price on the Public
Market for shares of common stock of the Company for the 20
trading days immediately preceding the date of notice exceeds
the product of (x) the redemption price expressed as a
percentage of the stated value or amount of the item being
redeemed and (y) 120% of the conversion price per share of
common stock of the Company issuable upon conversion of the
Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligation called for redemption.
Qualifying Trust Preferred Securities
means preferred trust securities or similar securities
issued by a Finance Person after the Issue Date.
Refinance means, in respect of any
Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund or to issue
other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such
Indebtedness. Refinanced and Refinancing
shall have correlative meanings.
Refinancing Indebtedness means Indebtedness
that Refinances any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in
compliance with the Indenture, including Indebtedness that
Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however,
that:
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(1) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no
earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being
Refinanced; |
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(2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at
the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal
to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being
Refinanced; and |
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(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate
principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount,
an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the
aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue
discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding or
committed (plus accrued interest thereon and fees and expenses,
including any premium and defeasance costs) under the
Indebtedness being Refinanced; |
provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness
shall not include (A) Indebtedness of a Restricted
Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that Refinances
Indebtedness of the Company or (B) Indebtedness of the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Related Business means the Oil and Gas
Business and any other business in which the Company or a
Subsidiary was engaged on the Issue Date and any business
related, ancillary or complementary thereto.
Representative means, with respect to a
Person, any trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an
issue of Senior Indebtedness of such Person.
S-53
Restricted Payment with respect to any Person
means:
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(1) the declaration or payment of any dividends or any
other distributions of any sort in respect of its Capital Stock
(including any payment in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the
direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (other than
dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) and dividends or
distributions payable solely to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary, and dividends or other distributions made
by a subsidiary to the holders of any class of its Capital Stock
on a pro rata basis); |
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(2) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by
any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) or of any
Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate
of the Company (other than the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary), including in connection with any merger or
consolidation and including the exercise of any option to
exchange any Capital Stock (other than into Capital Stock of the
Company that is not Disqualified Stock); |
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(3) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or
other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled
maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment
of any Subordinated Obligations of such Person (other than the
purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
acquisition of Subordinated Obligations or retirement for value
in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation,
principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within
one year of the date of such purchase, repurchase, redemption,
defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value); or |
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(4) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted
Investment) in any Person. |
Restricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of
the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Revolving Credit Facility means the Credit
Agreement dated as of December 2, 2005, among the Company,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a lender,
and the other agents and lenders party thereto, as amended from
time to time.
S&P means Standard and Poors
Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
and any successor to its credit rating business.
Sale/ Leaseback Transaction means an
arrangement relating to property owned by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired
by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such
Person.
SEC means the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Secured Indebtedness means any Indebtedness
of the Company secured by a Lien.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
Senior Indebtedness means with respect to any
Person:
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(1) Indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the
Issue Date or thereafter Incurred; and |
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(2) all other Obligations of such Person (including
interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to such Person whether
or not post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in
respect of Indebtedness described in clause (1) above; |
unless, in the case of clauses (1) and (2), in the
instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which
the same is outstanding, it is provided that such Indebtedness
or other Obligations are subordinate or pari passu in right of
payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guaranty of such Person,
as the case may be; provided, however, that Senior
Indebtedness shall not include:
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(1) any Obligation of such Person to any Subsidiary; |
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(2) any Disqualified Stock; |
S-54
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(3) any Indebtedness or other Obligation (and any accrued
and unpaid interest in respect thereof) of such Person which is
subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness
or other Obligation of such Person; or |
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(4) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of
Incurrence is Incurred in violation of the Indenture. |
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness means, with
respect to a Person, the Notes, the 2012 Notes and the 2014
Notes (in the case of the Company), a Subsidiary Guaranty (in
the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor) with respect to the Notes,
the 2012 Notes or the 2014 Notes and any other Indebtedness of
such Person that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is
to rank pari passu with the Notes or such Subsidiary Guaranty,
as the case may be, in right of payment and is not subordinated
by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other
obligation of such Person which is not Senior Indebtedness of
such Person.
Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted
Subsidiary that would be a Significant Subsidiary of
the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under
Regulation S-X
promulgated by the SEC.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any
security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date
on which the final payment of principal of such security is due
and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision (but excluding any provision providing for the
repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof
upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency
has occurred).
Subordinated Obligation means, with respect
to a Person, any Indebtedness of such Person (whether
outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is
subordinate or junior in right payment to the Notes or a
Subsidiary Guaranty of such Person, as the case may be, pursuant
to a written agreement to that effect.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person,
any corporation, association, partnership or other business
entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of
shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by:
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(1) such Person; |
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(2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person; or |
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(3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. |
Unless otherwise specified, Subsidiary means a
Subsidiary of the Company.
Subsidiary Guarantor means each Subsidiary of
the Company that guarantees the Notes pursuant to the terms of
the Indenture, in each case unless and until such Subsidiary is
released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guaranty
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
Subsidiary Guaranty means a Guarantee by a
Subsidiary Guarantor of the Companys obligations with
respect to the Notes.
Temporary Cash Investments means any of the
following:
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(1) any investment in direct obligations of the United
States of America or any agency thereof or obligations
guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof; |
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(2) investments in demand accounts and time deposit
accounts, bankers acceptances, overnight bank deposits,
certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing
within twelve months of the date of acquisition thereof issued
by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of
the United States of America, any State thereof or any foreign
country recognized by the United States of America, and which
bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits
aggregating in excess of $50.0 million (or the foreign
currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is
rated A (or such similar equivalent rating) or
higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical |
S-55
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rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the
Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a
registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor; |
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(3) investments in deposits available for withdrawal on
demand with any commercial bank that is organized under the laws
of any country in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
maintains an office or is engaged in the Oil and Gas Business,
provided that (i) all such deposits have been made in such
accounts in the ordinary course of business and (ii) such
deposits do not at any one time exceed $10.0 million in the
aggregate; |
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(4) repurchase (or reverse repurchase) obligations with a
term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of
the types described in clause (1) above entered into with a
bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (2)
above; |
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(5) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than
90 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a
corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized
and in existence under the laws of the United States of America
or any foreign country recognized by the United States of
America with a rating at the time as of which any investment
therein is made of P-1 (or higher) according to
Moodys or A-1 (or higher) according to
S&P; and |
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(6) investments in securities with maturities of six months
or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed
by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of
America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof, and rated at least A by S&P or
A by Moodys. |
Treasury Rate means the yield to maturity at
the time of computation of United States Treasury securities
with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most
recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has
become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to
the date fixed for redemption or, in the case of defeasance,
prior to the date of deposit (or, if such Statistical Release is
no longer published, any publicly available source of similar
market data)) most nearly equal to the then remaining average
life to April 15, 2011 or, in the case of defeasance, to
maturity; provided, however, that if the average life to
April 15, 2011 or maturity, as the case may be, of the
Notes is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States
Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the
Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the
weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for
which such yields are given, except that if the average life to
April 15, 2011 or maturity, as the case may be, of the
Notes is less than one year, the weekly average yield on
actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a
constant maturity of one year shall be used.
Trustee means Wachovia Bank, National
Association until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means
the successor.
Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as
in effect on the Issue Date.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means:
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(1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of
determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and |
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(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. |
The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the
Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed
Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such
Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any property of, the
Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not a
Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided,
however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so
designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if
such Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation
would be permitted under the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Limitation on Restricted
Payments.
S-56
The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary
to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that
immediately after giving effect to such designation (A) the
Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under
paragraph (a) of the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Limitation on
Indebtedness and (B) no Default shall have occurred
and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of
Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing
with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of
Directors giving effect to such designation and an
Officers Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing provisions.
U.S. Government Obligations means direct
obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest
in such obligations) of the United States of America (including
any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which
the full faith and credit of the United States of America is
pledged and which are not callable at the issuers option.
Volumetric Production Payments means
production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in
accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and
obligations in connection therewith.
Voting Stock of a Person means all classes of
Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency)
to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary means any Restricted
Subsidiary if
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(1) all of the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary,
other than any directors qualifying shares and, in the
case of Newfield China, LDC, its preferred shares that are
outstanding on the Issue Date, is owned directly or indirectly
by the Company or |
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(2) such Restricted Subsidiary is organized in a foreign
jurisdiction and is required by the applicable laws and
regulations of such foreign jurisdiction to be partially owned
by the government of such foreign jurisdiction or individual or
corporate citizens of such foreign jurisdiction in order for
such Restricted Subsidiary to transact business in such foreign
jurisdiction, provided that the Company, directly or indirectly,
owns the remaining Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary
and, by contract or otherwise, controls the management and
business of such Restricted Subsidiary and derives the economic
benefits of ownership of such Restricted Subsidiary to
substantially the same extent as if such Restricted Subsidiary
were a wholly owned Subsidiary. |
S-57
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary describes, as of the date hereof, certain
U.S. federal income tax considerations with respect to the
purchase, ownership and disposition of notes. This summary deals
only with holders that purchase notes in the initial offering at
their initial offering price and that hold such notes as capital
assets.
This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), U.S.
Treasury regulations under the Code, administrative rulings, and
judicial interpretations of the Code, each as of the date
hereof. These authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively,
or be subject to differing interpretations, so as to result in
U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those
summarized below. We cannot assure you that the Internal Revenue
Service (the IRS) will not challenge one or
more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not
obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS or
an opinion of counsel with respect to the United States federal
tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of the notes.
This summary does not represent a detailed description of the
U.S. federal income tax consequences to you in light of your
particular circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a
detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences
applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under
U.S. federal income tax laws (including if you are a real
estate investment trust, regulated investment
company, financial institution, tax-exempt entity,
insurance company, entity treated as a partnership for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, dealer in securities or foreign
currencies, trader who elects to mark its securities to market,
U.S. person whose functional currency is not the
U.S. dollar, if you hold the notes as part of a hedge, straddle,
constructive sale, conversion or other
integrated transaction, if you are a shareholder, partner, or
beneficiary of a holder of notes, or if you are a U.S.
expatriate, controlled foreign corporation or
passive foreign investment company), and it
generally does not address any federal taxes other than U.S.
federal income tax. It also does not include any description of
any alternative minimum tax consequences or of the tax laws of
any state or local government or of any foreign government that
may be applicable to the notes. We cannot assure you that a
change in law will not significantly alter the tax
considerations that we describe in this summary.
If an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income
tax purposes holds a note, the tax treatment of a partner will
generally depend upon the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership holding the notes, you should consult your tax
advisors.
If you are considering the purchase of notes, you should
consult with your own tax advisors concerning the particular
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership
and disposition of the notes, as well as the consequences
arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction,
including any state, local or foreign income tax
consequences.
A U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of a
note that is any of the following for U.S. federal income tax
purposes:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for
these purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust if (1) its administration is subject to the primary
supervision of a court within the United States and one or more
U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its
substantial decisions, or (2) it has a valid election in
effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated
as a U.S. person. |
A non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of
a note that is not an entity treated as a partnership for U.S.
federal income tax purposes and is not a U.S. holder.
S-58
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
Payments
of Interest
It is expected that the notes will not be issued with original
issue discount. If this is the case, interest on a note will
generally be taxable to you as ordinary interest income at the
time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your method of
accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Sale,
Exchange and Retirement of the Notes
In general, on the sale, exchange or retirement of a note:
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You will have taxable gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount received by you (other than amounts
representing accrued and unpaid interest not previously included
in income, which are taxable as ordinary interest income) and
your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your adjusted tax basis in
a note generally will equal your purchase price for such note
(net of any accrued interest) less any principal payments
received by you. |
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Your gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or loss and
will be a long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the
note for more than one year at the time of disposition.
Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. holders are
eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitation. |
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If you sell a note between interest payment dates, a portion of
the amount you receive will reflect interest that has accrued on
the note but has not yet been paid by the sale date. That amount
is treated as ordinary interest income and not as sales proceeds. |
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of a beneficial
owner of notes that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a
non-U.S. holder are complex and no attempt will be made in this
prospectus supplement to provide more than a summary of these
rules. Non-U.S. holders should consult with their own tax
advisors to determine the effect of federal, state, local and
foreign income tax laws, as well as treaties, with regard to an
investment in the notes, including any reporting
requirements.
U.S.
Federal Withholding Tax
The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax (or such lower rate as may
be specified by an applicable tax treaty) will not apply to any
payment of principal or stated interest on a note provided that:
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you do not actually (or constructively) own 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock
within the meaning of the Code and applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations; |
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you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to
us, directly or constructively, through stock ownership; |
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you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the notes is
described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; |
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such interest is not effectively connected with your conduct of
a U.S. trade or business (or, if certain tax treaties apply, is
not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by
you); and |
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either (a) you provide your name and address on an IRS
Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form), and certify, under
penalties of perjury, that you are not a U.S. person or
(b) you hold your notes through certain foreign
intermediaries and satisfy the certification requirements of
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. |
Special certification and other rules apply to certain non-U.S.
holders that are entities rather than individuals.
S-59
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments
of interest made to you will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal
withholding tax, unless you provide us or our paying agent with
a properly executed (1) IRS Form W-8BEN (or other
applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in
withholding under an applicable tax treaty or (2) IRS
Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that
interest paid on a note is not subject to withholding tax
because it is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade
or business in the U.S. (as discussed below under
U.S. Federal Income Tax).
You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the
availability of the above exemptions and the procedure for
obtaining such exemptions, if available. A claim for exemption
will not be valid if the person receiving the applicable form
has actual knowledge or reason to know that the statements on
the form are false.
The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax (or such lower rate as may
be specified by an applicable tax treaty) generally will not
apply to any gain that you realize on the sale, exchange,
retirement or other disposition of a note.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax
If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States
and interest on the notes is effectively connected with the
conduct of that trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties
apply, the interest is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment maintained by you), you will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis
(although exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax,
provided you comply with certain certification and disclosure
requirements discussed above in U.S. Federal
Withholding Tax) in the same manner as if you were a U.S.
person as defined under the Code. In addition, if you are a
foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax
equal to 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an
applicable tax treaty) of such effectively connected interest.
Any gain realized on the disposition of a note generally will
not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade
or business in the United States (and, if certain tax treaties
apply, the interest is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment maintained by you), in which case if you are a
foreign corporation the branch profits tax described above may
also apply, or |
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you are an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition,
and certain other conditions are met. |
U.S.
Federal Estate Tax
If you are an individual who at death is not a U.S. citizen or
resident (as specifically defined for U.S. federal estate tax
purposes), your estate will not be subject to U.S. federal
estate tax on notes beneficially owned by you at the time of
your death, provided that (1) you do not actually (or
constructively) own 10% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of our voting stock within the meaning of
the Code and applicable U.S. Treasury regulations and
(2) interest on those notes would not have been, if
received at the time of your death, effectively connected with
the conduct by you of a trade or business in the United States.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, interest payments, principal payments, and proceeds
received from the sale of a note will be reported to U.S.
holders and to the IRS. In addition, a U.S. holder of a note may
be subject to backup withholding tax at the applicable rate with
respect to such payments or proceeds if the U.S. holder
(i) fails to furnish the payor with a correct taxpayer
identification number or other required certification;
(ii) has been notified by the IRS that the holder is
subject to backup withholding for failing to report interest or
dividends required to be shown on the holders U.S. federal
income tax returns; or (iii) under certain circumstances,
fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that it has not
been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup
S-60
withholding for failure to report interest or dividend payments.
Certain U.S. holders, including generally corporations and
tax-exempt entities, may be exempt from information reporting
and backup withholding.
In general, interest payments to non-U.S. holders and the amount
of tax withheld with respect to such payments, if any, will be
reported to the non-U.S. holder and the IRS. In addition, copies
of those information returns also may be made available, under
the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement, to the taxing
authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides
or is incorporated. A non-U.S. holder will not be subject to
backup withholding with respect to interest or principal
payments on the notes if such holder has provided the statement
described above in the last bullet point under
U.S. Federal Withholding Tax and the
payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the
holder is a U.S. person. However, information reporting may
still apply to interest payments. In addition, a non-U.S. holder
generally will not be subject to backup withholding or
information reporting with respect to the proceeds of the sale
of a note made within the United States or conducted through
certain U.S. financial intermediaries if the payor receives the
statement described above and does not have actual knowledge or
reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person or the holder
otherwise establishes an exemption. Non-U.S. holders should
consult their tax advisors regarding the application of
information reporting and backup withholding in their particular
situations, the availability of exemptions and the procedure for
obtaining those exemptions, if available.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and amounts
withheld as backup withholding will be allowed as a refund or
credit against a holders federal income tax liability, as
long as the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
S-61
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an
underwriting agreement, the underwriters named below, for whom
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is acting as
representative, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have
agreed to sell to them, severally, the principal amount of notes
indicated below:
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Principal | |
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Amount of | |
Name |
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the Notes | |
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Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
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$ |
379,500,000 |
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J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
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42,625,000 |
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First Albany Capital Inc.
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31,625,000 |
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Goldman, Sachs & Co.
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31,625,000 |
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Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC
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31,625,000 |
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Calyon Securities (USA) Inc.
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16,500,000 |
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Harris Nesbitt Corp.
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16,500,000 |
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Total
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$ |
550,000,000 |
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The underwriters are offering the notes subject to their
acceptance of the notes from us and subject to prior sale. The
underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the notes
offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to the
approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to
certain other conditions. If an underwriter defaults, the
underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of
the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the
underwriting agreement may be terminated. The underwriters are
obligated to take and pay for all of the notes offered by this
prospectus supplement if any are taken. The underwriters reserve
the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and
to reject orders in whole or in part.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or
to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to
make in respect of those liabilities.
Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be
offered at the initial offering price set forth on the cover
page of this prospectus supplement. After the initial offering
of the notes, the offering price and other selling terms may
from time to time be varied by the representative.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and
commissions we will pay to the underwriters in connection with
the offering, and proceeds before expenses to us.
We estimate that our expenses in connection with the sale of the
notes, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, will
be approximately $150,000.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. We have been advised by the underwriters that
the underwriters intend to make a market in the notes, but are
not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any
time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for the notes.
S-62
In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize the market price of
the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more notes
than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting
agreement, creating a short position or bid for or purchase
notes in the open market. These activities may raise or maintain
the market price of the notes above independent market levels.
The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities,
and may end any of these activities at any time.
In the ordinary course of their businesses, some of the
underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, or
may in the future provide, investment banking, commercial
banking and other financial services to us or our subsidiaries,
including underwriting and the provision of financial advice,
and have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees
and commissions for their services. Affiliates of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are also counterparties to
some of our hedging contracts. Commercial bank affiliates of
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC,
Calyon Securities (USA) Inc. and Harris Nesbitt Corp. are
participants in our credit facility. The Trustee for the notes,
Wachovia Bank, National Association, is an affiliate of Wachovia
Capital Markets, LLC.
S-63
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. The SEC allows us to
incorporate by reference the information we file with them,
which means that we can disclose important business and
financial information to you that is not included in or
delivered with this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus by referring you to publicly filed documents that
contain the omitted information.
You may read and copy the information that we incorporate by
reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus as well as other reports, proxy statements and other
information that we file with the SEC at the public reference
facility maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the public reference
room. In addition, we are required to file electronic versions
of those materials with the SEC through the SECs EDGAR
system. The SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov that
contains reports, proxy statements and other information that
registrants, such as us, file electronically with the SEC.
The information incorporated by reference is an important part
of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
and information we later file with the SEC will automatically
update and supersede earlier information. We incorporate by
reference the following documents filed with the SEC by us and
any future filings we make with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
until our offering of the notes has been completed (except for
information furnished to the SEC that is not deemed to be
filed for purposes of the Exchange Act):
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Our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 (as amended by our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K/A filed
March 29, 2006); and |
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Our Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed on
February 21, 2006 (as amended by our Current Report on
Form 8-K/ A filed
on February 21, 2006), March 9, 2006, March 15,
2006, March 22, 2006 and March 24, 2006. |
You may also request a copy of the information we incorporate by
reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference) at no cost by writing or
telephoning us at Newfield Exploration Company,
363 N. Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 2020,
Houston, Texas 77060, Attention: Stockholder Relations,
Telephone (281) 847-6000.
LEGAL MATTERS
King & Spalding LLP, Houston, Texas will pass upon the
validity of the notes for us. Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas
will pass upon certain legal matters for the underwriters. Baker
Botts L.L.P. has in the past represented us in matters unrelated
to the offering.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and managements
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting (which is included in Managements
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting)
incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
S-64
GLOSSARY OF OIL AND GAS TERMS
The following is a description of the meanings of some terms
generally used in the oil and gas industry.
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when describing natural gas:
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Mcf |
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thousand cubic feet |
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MMcf |
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= |
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million cubic feet |
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Bcf |
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= |
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billion cubic feet |
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Tcf |
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= |
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trillion cubic feet |
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when describing oil:
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Bbl |
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= |
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barrel |
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MBbls |
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= |
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thousand barrels |
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MMBbls |
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million barrels |
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when describing natural gas and oil together:
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1 barrel of oil |
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6 Mcf of gas equivalent |
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BOE |
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= |
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barrel of oil equivalent |
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Mcfe |
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= |
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thousand cubic feet equivalent |
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MMcfe |
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= |
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million cubic feet equivalent |
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MMcfe/d |
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= |
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million cubic feet equivalent per day |
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Bcfe |
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= |
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billion cubic feet equivalent |
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Tcfe |
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= |
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trillion cubic feet equivalent |
present value of proved reserves = The estimated value of
future gross revenues (estimated in accordance with the
requirements of the SEC) to be generated from the production of
proved reserves, net of estimated future production and
development costs, using prices and costs in effect as of the
date indicated, discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%.
proved developed reserves = Proved reserves that can be
expected to be recovered from existing wells with existing
equipment and operating methods.
proved reserves = The estimated quantities of oil and gas
that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable
certainty to be recoverable from known reservoirs under existing
economic and operating conditions.
proved undeveloped reserves = Proved reserves that are
expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or
from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is
required.
S-65
PROSPECTUS
$1,000,000,000
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
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Common Stock
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Preferred Stock
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Depositary Shares |
Stock Purchase Units
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Stock Purchase Contracts
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Securities Warrants |
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Debt Securities |
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We may offer and sell from time to time:
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debt securities; |
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shares of
common stock; |
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stock purchase
contracts; |
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stock purchase
units; |
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shares of preferred stock, which may be issued in the form of depositary shares
evidenced by depositary receipts; and |
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securities warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred
stock or depositary shares. |
The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that may be sold pursuant to this
prospectus will not exceed $1,000,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered.
Each time securities are sold, we will provide one or more supplements to this prospectus that
contain more specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities. The
supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should
carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest in any
of our securities.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NFX.
You should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 3 of this
prospectus before you make an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense .
This prospectus is dated April 26, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman
or other person to provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus and any
accompanying prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy
any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful
to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information
in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by
reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date
other than the date of the document containing the information.
i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, using a shelf registration
process. Under this shelf process, we may, over time, sell any combination of the securities
described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of
$1,000,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may
offer pursuant to this prospectus. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more
prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement.
For a complete understanding of the offering of securities, you should refer to the registration
statement relating to this prospectus, including its exhibits. A prospectus supplement may also
add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this
prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information
described under the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this
prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to Newfield, we, us or our are to
Newfield Exploration Company and its subsidiaries.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SECs web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SECs public reference
room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the
operation of the SECs public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NFX. Our
reports, proxy statements and other information may be read and copied at the New York Stock
Exchange at 30 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that
we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than information
furnished to, and not filed with, the SEC) until we sell all of the securities or until we
terminate this offering:
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004; |
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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2004 (as amended by Amendment No. 1
thereto on Form 8-K/A filed on November 12, 2004); January 19, 2005; January 19, 2005;
February 3, 2005; February 11, 2005; February 22, 2005; March 29, 2005; April 6, 2005 and
April 13, 2005; |
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the description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A registration statement filed on
November 4, 1993; and |
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the description of our preferred share purchase rights contained in our Form 8-A registration
statement filed on February 18, 1999. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing us at the following address
or telephoning us at the following number:
Newfield Exploration Company
Attention: Stockholder Relations
363 N. Sam Houston Parkway E.,
Suite 2020
Houston, Texas 77060
(281) 847-6000
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by
reference herein may include 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. All statements
other than statements of historical facts included in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus
supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference herein, including statements regarding
estimated or anticipated operating and financial data, production targets, anticipated production
rates, planned capital expenditures, the availability of capital resources to fund capital
expenditures, estimates of proved reserves, wells planned to be drilled in the future, our
financial plans and our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations, are
forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are based upon assumptions and
anticipated results that are subject to numerous uncertainties. Actual results may very
significantly from those anticipated due to many factors, including:
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drilling results; |
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oil and gas prices; |
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well and waterflood performance; |
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severe weather conditions (such as hurricanes); |
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the prices of goods and services; |
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the availability of drilling rigs and other support services; and |
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the availability of capital resources. |
The information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into
this prospectus identify additional factors that could affect our operating results and
performance. We urge you to carefully consider these factors.
All forward-looking statements attributable to our company are expressly qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary statement.
2
ABOUT OUR COMPANY
We are an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and
acquisition of crude oil and natural gas properties. Our company was founded in 1989 and focused
initially on the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Today, we have a diversified asset base.
Our domestic areas of operation include the Gulf of Mexico, the onshore Gulf Coast, the Anadarko
and Arkoma Basins of the Mid-Continent and the Uinta Basin of the Rocky Mountains.
Internationally, we are active offshore Malaysia, in the North Sea, offshore Brazil and in Chinas
Bohai Bay.
Our executive offices are located at 363 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Suite 2020, Houston, Texas
77060, and our telephone number is (281) 847-6000. We maintain a website on the Internet at
http://www.newfld.com.
RISK FACTORS
Your investment in our securities will involve risks. You should carefully consider, in
addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus
and any accompanying prospectus supplement, the risks described below before deciding whether an
investment in our securities is appropriate for you.
Risks Associated with Our Debt Securities
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, there will be no public
market for debt securities. We do not plan to list any debt securities on any securities exchange.
While the underwriters of a particular offering of debt securities may advise us that they intend
to make a market in those debt securities, the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may
stop their market making at any time. No assurance can be given:
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that a market for any series of debt securities will develop
or continue; |
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as to the liquidity of any market that does
develop; or |
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as to your ability to sell any debt securities you may own or the price at which you
may be able to sell your debt securities. |
Risks Associated with Our Common Stock
We do not intend to pay, and are restricted in our ability to pay, dividends on our common
stock. We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not intend to pay dividends on our common
stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain any earnings for the future
operation and development of our business. Our ability to make dividend payments in the future
will depend on our future performance and liquidity. In addition, our credit facility contains
restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock, including our common
stock.
Our certificate of incorporation, stockholders rights agreement and bylaws contain provisions
that could discourage an acquisition or change of control of our company. Our stockholders rights
agreement, together with certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, may
make it more difficult to effect a change in control of our company, to acquire us or to replace
incumbent management. These provisions could potentially deprive our stockholders of opportunities
to sell shares of our stock at above-market prices.
3
Risks Associated with Our Operations
Oil and gas prices fluctuate widely, and lower prices for an extended period of time are
likely to have a material adverse impact on our business. Our revenues, profitability and future
growth depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil and gas. These prices also affect the
amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise
additional capital. The amount we can borrow under our credit facility is subject to periodic
redeterminations based in part on changing expectations of future prices. Lower prices may also
reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can economically produce.
Among the factors that can cause fluctuations are:
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the domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas; |
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the price and availability of alternative fuels; |
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weather conditions; |
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the level of consumer demand; |
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the price of foreign imports; |
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world-wide economic conditions; |
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political conditions in oil and gas producing regions; and |
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domestic and foreign governmental regulations. |
Our use of oil and gas price hedging contracts involves credit risk and may limit future
revenues from price increases and result in significant fluctuations in our net income. We use
hedging transactions with respect to a portion of our oil and gas production to achieve more
predictable cash flow and to reduce our exposure to price fluctuations. While the use of hedging
transactions limits the downside risk of price declines, their use also may limit future revenues
from price increases. Hedging transactions also involve the risk that the counterparty may be
unable to satisfy its obligations.
Our future success depends on our ability to find, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves.
As is generally the case, our producing properties in the Gulf of Mexico and the onshore Gulf Coast
often have high initial production rates, followed by steep declines. To maintain production
levels, we must locate and develop or acquire new oil and gas reserves to replace those depleted by
production. Without successful exploration or acquisition activities, our reserves, production and
revenues will decline rapidly. We may be unable to find and develop or acquire additional reserves
at an acceptable cost. In addition, substantial capital is required to replace and grow reserves.
If lower oil and gas prices or operating difficulties result in our cash flow from operations being
less than expected or limit our ability to borrow under our credit arrangements, we may be unable
to expend the capital necessary to locate and develop or acquire new oil and gas reserves.
Actual quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves and future cash flows from those
reserves most likely will vary from our estimates. Estimating accumulations of oil and gas is
complex. The process relies on interpretations of available geologic, geophysic, engineering and
production data. The extent, quality and reliability of this data can vary. The process also
requires certain economic assumptions, some of which are mandated by the SEC, such as oil and gas
prices, drilling and operating
4
expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The accuracy of a reserve
estimate is a function of:
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the quality and quantity of available data; |
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the interpretation of that data; |
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the accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions; and |
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the judgment of the persons preparing the estimate. |
The proved reserve information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is based on
estimates we prepared. Estimates prepared by others might differ materially from our estimates.
Actual quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves, future production, oil and gas prices,
revenues, taxes, development expenditures and operating expenses most likely will vary from our
estimates. Any significant variance could materially affect the quantities and present value of
our reserves. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production
history, results of exploration and development and prevailing oil and gas prices. Our reserves
also may be susceptible to drainage by operators on adjacent properties.
You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows incorporated by
reference in this prospectus is the current market value of our estimated proved oil and gas
reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we generally base the estimated discounted future
net cash flows from proved reserves on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Actual future
prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs we used.
If oil and gas prices decrease, we may be required to take writedowns. We may be required to
writedown the carrying value of our oil and gas properties when oil and gas prices decrease or if
we have substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, increases in our
estimates of development costs or deterioration in our exploration results.
We capitalize the costs to acquire, find and develop our oil and gas properties under the full
cost accounting method. The net capitalized costs of our oil and gas properties may not exceed the
present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves, using period end oil and gas
prices and a 10% discount factor, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved
properties. If net capitalized costs of our oil and gas properties exceed this limit, we must
charge the amount of the excess to earnings. We review the carrying value of our properties
quarterly, based on prices in effect (including the effect of our hedge positions) as of the end of
each quarter or as of the time of reporting our results. The carrying value of oil and gas
properties is computed on a country-by-country basis. Therefore, while our properties in one
country may be subject to a writedown, our properties in other countries could be unaffected. Once
incurred, a writedown of oil and gas properties is not reversible at a later date even if oil or
gas prices increase.
We may be subject to risks in connection with acquisitions. The successful acquisition of
producing properties requires an assessment of several factors, including:
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recoverable reserves; |
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future oil and gas prices; |
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operating costs; and |
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potential environmental and other liabilities. |
5
The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. In connection with these
assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally
consistent with industry practices. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems
nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their
deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections may not always be performed on every platform or well,
and structural and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is
undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide
effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. We are often not entitled to
contractual indemnification for environmental liabilities and acquire properties on an as is
basis.
We may not achieve the production growth we anticipated from our properties in the Uinta
Basin. In August 2004, we acquired Inland Resources Inc. for approximately $578 million in cash.
Inlands primary asset is the 110,000-acre Monument Butte Field located in the Uinta Basin of
Northeast Utah. Waterflooding, a secondary recovery operation that involves the injection of large
volumes of water into the oil-producing reservoir, is necessary to recover the oil reserves in the
field. We must negotiate with third parties to obtain additional sources of water. The crude oil
produced in the Uinta Basin is known as black wax and has a higher paraffin content than crude
oil found in most other major North American basins. Currently, area refineries have limited
capacity to refine this type of crude oil. Our ability to significantly increase production from
the field may be limited by the unavailability of sufficient water supplies or refining capacity or
both. In addition, the performance of waterflood operations is often difficult to predict.
Competitive industry conditions may negatively affect our ability to conduct operations.
Competition in the oil and gas industry is intense, particularly with respect to the acquisition of
producing properties and proved undeveloped acreage. Major and independent oil and gas companies
actively bid for desirable oil and gas properties, as well as for the equipment and labor required
to operate and develop their properties. Many of our competitors have financial resources that are
substantially greater than ours, which may adversely affect our ability to compete with these
companies.
Drilling is a high-risk activity. Our future success will depend on the success of our
drilling programs. In addition to the numerous operating risks described in more detail below,
these activities involve the risk that no commercially productive oil or gas reservoirs will be
discovered. In addition, we often are uncertain as to the future cost or timing of drilling,
completing and producing wells. Furthermore, our drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of a variety
of factors, including:
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unexpected drilling conditions; |
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pressure or irregularities in formations; |
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equipment failures or accidents; |
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adverse weather conditions; |
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compliance with governmental requirements; and |
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shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs and the delivery of equipment. |
The oil and gas business involves many operating risks that can cause substantial losses;
insurance may not protect us against all these risks. These risks include:
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blow-outs; |
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uncontrollable flows of oil, gas, formation water or drilling fluids; |
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natural disasters; |
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pipe or cement failures; |
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casing collapses; |
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embedded oilfield drilling and service tools; |
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abnormally pressured formations; and |
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environmental hazards such as oil spills, natural gas leaks, pipeline ruptures and discharges of
toxic gases. |
If any of these events occur, we could incur substantial losses as a result of:
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injury or loss of life; |
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severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment; |
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pollution and other environmental damage; |
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investigatory and clean-up responsibilities; |
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regulatory investigation and penalties; |
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suspension of our operations; and |
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repairs to resume operations. |
If we experience any of these problems, our ability to conduct operations could be adversely
affected.
Offshore operations are subject to a variety of operating risks peculiar to the marine
environment, such as capsizing, collisions and damage or loss from hurricanes or other adverse
weather conditions. These conditions can cause substantial damage to facilities and interrupt
production. As a result, we could incur substantial liabilities or reductions in revenue that
could reduce or eliminate the funds available for our exploration and development programs and
acquisitions, or result in the loss of properties.
We maintain insurance against some, but not all, of these potential risks and losses. We may
elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive
relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not
fully insurable. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by
insurance, it could adversely affect us.
Exploration in deepwater involves greater operating and financial risks than exploration at
shallower depths. These risks could result in substantial losses. Deepwater drilling and
operations require the application of recently developed technologies and involve a higher risk of
mechanical failure. We will likely experience significantly higher drilling costs in connection
with the deepwater wells that we drill. In addition, much of the deepwater play lacks the physical
and oilfield service infrastructure present in shallower waters. As a result, development of a
deepwater discovery may be a lengthy process and require substantial capital investment, resulting
in significant financial and operating risks.
7
In addition, as we carry out our deepwater program, we may not serve as the operator of
significant projects in which we invest. As a result, we may have limited ability to exercise
influence over operations related to these projects or their associated costs. Our dependence on
the operator and other working interest owners for these deepwater projects and our limited
ability to influence operations and associated costs could prevent the realization of our targeted
returns on capital in drilling or acquisition activities in the deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico.
The success and timing of drilling and exploitation activities on properties operated by others
therefore depend upon a number of factors that will be largely outside of our control, including:
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the timing and amount of capital expenditures; |
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the availability of suitable offshore drilling rigs, drilling equipment, support vessels, production
and transportation infrastructure and qualified operating personnel; |
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the operators expertise and financial resources; |
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approval of other participants in drilling wells; and |
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selection of technology. |
We have risks associated with our foreign operations. We currently have international
activities and we continue to evaluate and pursue new opportunities for international expansion in
select areas. Ownership of property interests and production operations in areas outside the
United States is subject to the various risks inherent in foreign operations. These risks may
include:
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currency restrictions and exchange rate fluctuations; |
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loss of revenue, property and equipment as a result of expropriation, nationalization, war or
insurrection; |
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increases in taxes and governmental royalties; |
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renegotiation of contracts with governmental entities and quasi-governmental agencies; |
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changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies; |
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labor problems; and |
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other uncertainties arising out of foreign government sovereignty over our international
operations. |
Our international operations also may be adversely affected by laws and policies of the United
States affecting foreign trade, taxation and investment. In addition, if a dispute arises with
respect to our foreign operations, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign
courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of the courts of
the United States.
Other independent oil and gas companies limited access to capital may change our exploration
and development plans. Many independent oil and gas companies have limited access to the capital
necessary to finance their activities. As a result, some of the other working interest owners of
our wells may be unwilling or unable to pay their share of the costs of projects as they become
due. These problems could cause us to change, suspend or terminate our drilling and development
plans with respect to the affected project.
We are subject to complex laws that can affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing
business. Exploration and development and the production and sale of oil and gas are subject to extensive
federal,
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state, local and international regulation. We may be required to make large expenditures to comply
with environmental and other governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include:
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discharge permits for drilling operations; |
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drilling bonds; |
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reports concerning operations; |
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the spacing of wells; |
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unitization and pooling of properties; and |
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taxation. |
Under these laws, we could be liable for personal injuries, property damage, oil spills,
discharge of hazardous materials, remediation and clean-up costs and other environmental damages.
Failure to comply with these laws also may result in the suspension or termination of our
operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws
could change in ways that substantially increase our costs. Any such liabilities, penalties,
suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition or results of operations.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as may otherwise be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. Any specific allocation of the
net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of
the offering and will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES PLUS PREFERRED DIVIDENDS
We have calculated our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to fixed charges plus
preferred dividends as follows:
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Year Ended December 31, |
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8.1x |
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5.5x |
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3.2x |
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6.0x |
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9.0x |
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
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8.1x |
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5.5x |
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3.2x |
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6.0x |
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9.0x |
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plus preferred dividends (1) |
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No dividends accrued on any outstanding shares of preferred stock during the periods
presented. |
For purposes of computing the consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges and
earnings to fixed charges plus preferred dividends, earnings consist of income before income taxes
plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and fixed charges consist of interest (both
expensed and capitalized), distributions on our convertible trust preferred securities (which were
redeemed in full in June 2003) and the estimated interest component of rent expense.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities issued using this prospectus will be our direct unsecured general
obligations. The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The
particular terms of each series
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that is offered will be described in one or more prospectus supplements accompanying this
prospectus. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt
securities. Any senior debt securities will be issued under the senior indenture dated as of
February 28, 2001 between us and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly First Union
National Bank), as trustee. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under the subordinated
indenture dated as of December 10, 2001 between us and Wachovia Bank, National Association
(formerly First Union National Bank), as trustee. We have filed the senior indenture and the
subordinated indenture as exhibits to the registration statement. We have summarized selected
provisions of these indentures below. The summary is not complete. You should read the indentures
for provisions that may be important to you.
General
The indentures provide that debt securities in separate series may be issued from time to time
without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal
amount for any series of debt securities. We will determine the terms and conditions of any series
of debt securities, including the maturity, principal and interest, but those terms must be
consistent with the applicable indenture. The terms and conditions of a particular series of debt
securities will be set forth in a supplemental indenture or in a resolution of our board of
directors.
Senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and
unsubordinated debt. Subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all or some of our senior debt as described under Subordinated Debt
Securities.
A prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include
specific terms related to that offering, including the price or prices at which the debt securities
will be issued. These terms will include some or all of the following:
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the title of the debt securities; |
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with respect to subordinated debt securities, any addition to or change in the subordination
provisions set forth in the subordinated indenture; |
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the total principal amount of the debt securities; |
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the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable; |
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the interest rate and interest payment dates for the debt securities; |
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if such debt securities will be guaranteed by our Subsidiary Guarantors, any additional terms
relating to such guarantees; |
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any change in (including the elimination of the applicability of) the provisions set forth in the
applicable indenture that provide the terms upon which the debt securities may be redeemed at
our option; |
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any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the
debt securities; |
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any change in (including the elimination of the applicability of) the defeasance provisions set
forth in the applicable indenture; |
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any addition to or change in the events of default set forth in the applicable indenture; |
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if convertible into our common stock or any of our other securities, the terms upon which such
debt securities are convertible; |
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any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in the applicable indenture; |
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any other terms of the debt securities. |
If so provided in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue debt securities at a
discount below their principal amount and may pay less than the entire principal amount of debt
securities upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity. An applicable prospectus supplement will describe all material U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other
considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount.
Senior Debt Securities
Senior debt securities will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank
equally with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Senior debt
securities will, however, be subordinated in right of payment to all our secured indebtedness to
the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. Unless otherwise specified in an
applicable prospectus supplement, there will be no limit on:
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the amount of additional indebtedness that may rank equally with the senior debt securities; or |
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on the amount of indebtedness, secured or otherwise, that may be incurred, or preferred stock that
may be issued, by any of our subsidiaries. |
Subordinated Debt Securities
Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal of and interest and any premium on
subordinated debt securities will generally be subordinated in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all of our senior debt, including any senior debt securities. A prospectus
supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities will summarize the
subordination provisions applicable to that series, including:
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the applicability and effect of such provisions to and on any payment or distribution of our assets
to creditors upon any liquidation, bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings; |
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the applicability and effect of such provisions upon specified defaults with respect to senior debt,
including the circumstances under which and the periods in which we will be prohibited from
making payments on subordinated debt securities; and |
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the definition of senior debt applicable to the subordinated debt securities of that series. |
The failure to make any payment on any of the subordinated debt securities because of the
subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture will not prevent the occurrence of an event
of default under the subordinated debt securities.
Optional Redemption
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement applicable to a series of debt
securities, a series of debt securities will be redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole, or
from time to time in part, at a price equal to the greater of:
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100% of the principal amount of the debt securities to be redeemed; or |
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the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (at
the rate in effect on the date of calculation of the redemption price) on the debt securities |
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(exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a
semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the
applicable treasury yield, plus 50 basis points; |
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plus, in either case, accrued interest to the date of redemption. |
Debt securities called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Notices of
redemption will be mailed at least 30, but not more than 60, days before the redemption date to
each holder of record of the debt securities to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice
of redemption for the debt securities will state, among other things, the amount of debt securities
to be redeemed, the redemption date, the redemption price and the place(s) that payment will be
made upon presentation and surrender of debt securities to be redeemed. Unless we default in
payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on any debt securities that have
been called for redemption at the redemption date. If less than all the debt securities of a series
are redeemed at any time, the trustee will select the debt securities to be redeemed on a pro rata
basis or by any other method the trustee deems fair and appropriate.
For purposes of determining the optional redemption price, the following definitions are
applicable:
Applicable treasury yield means, with respect to any redemption date applicable to a series
of debt securities, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity
(computed as of the third business day immediately preceding the redemption date) of the comparable
treasury issue, assuming a price for the comparable treasury issue (expressed as a percentage of
its principal amount) equal to the applicable comparable treasury price for the redemption date.
Comparable treasury issue means the United States Treasury security selected by an
independent investment banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of debt
securities that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary
financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to
the remaining terms of the debt securities to be redeemed.
Comparable treasury price means, with respect to any redemption date:
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the bid price for the comparable treasury issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount)
at 4:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding the redemption date as set forth on Telerate
Page 500 (or such other page as may replace Telerate Page 500); or |
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if such page (or any successor page) is not displayed or does not contain such bid prices at such
time: |
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the average of the reference treasury dealer quotations obtained by the trustee for the
redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of all reference treasury dealer
quotations obtained; or |
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if the trustee obtains fewer than four such reference treasury dealer quotations, the average of
all reference treasury dealer quotations obtained by the trustee. |
Independent investment banker means the investment banking firm that acted as lead managing
underwriter for the offering of the series of debt securities or that we name in an accompanying
prospectus supplement, or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the applicable comparable
treasury issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the
trustee and reasonably acceptable to us.
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Reference treasury dealer means any primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York
City named in an accompanying prospectus supplement or selected by us.
Reference treasury dealer quotations means, with respect to each reference treasury dealer
and any redemption date applicable to a series of debt securities, an average, as determined by the
trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the comparable treasury issue for the series of debt
securities (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to
the trustee by the reference treasury dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third
business day preceding such redemption date.
Defeasance
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt
securities, we may elect, at our option at any time, to have the provisions of the applicable
indenture relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness and to defeasance of certain
restrictive covenants applied to such series of debt securities, or to any specified part of such
series.
Defeasance and Discharge. The indentures provide that, upon the exercise of our option, we
will be discharged from all our obligations with respect to the applicable debt securities upon the
deposit in trust for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities of money or U.S. government
obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and
any premium and interest on such debt securities on the respective stated maturities in accordance
with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such debt securities.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indentures provide that, upon the exercise of our
option, we may omit to comply with certain restrictive covenants described in this prospectus,
including those described below under Certain Covenants (if such covenants are applicable to a
series of debt securities), or an applicable prospectus supplement, the occurrence of certain
events of default as described in this prospectus or an applicable prospectus supplement will not
be deemed to either be or result in an event of default and, if such debt securities are
subordinated debt securities of such series, the provisions of the subordinated indenture relating
to subordination will cease to be effective, in each case with respect to such debt securities. In
order to exercise such option, we must deposit, in trust for the benefit of the holders of debt
securities of such series, money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which, through the
payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide
money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such debt
securities on the respective stated maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable
indenture and such debt securities.
In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must comply with certain other conditions,
including that no default has occurred and is continuing after the deposit in trust and the
delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of the series of debt
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit in trust and
defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be
based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable U.S. federal income
tax law.
Certain Covenants
Limitation on Liens. Nothing in the indentures in any way limits the amount of indebtedness
or securities that we or any of our subsidiaries may incur or issue. Unless otherwise specified in
an accompanying prospectus supplement, we may not, and may not permit any restricted subsidiary to,
issue,
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assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any lien on any property or
asset now owned or hereafter acquired by us or such restricted subsidiary without making effective
provision whereby any and all debt securities of such series then or thereafter outstanding will be
secured by a lien equally and ratably with any and all other obligations thereby secured for so
long as any such obligations shall be so secured.
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement applicable to a series of debt securities,
the foregoing restriction will not, however, apply to:
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liens existing on the date on which the series of debt securities was originally issued or provided for under the terms of agreements existing on such date; |
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liens on properties securing: |
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all or any portion of the cost of exploration, drilling or development of such properties; |
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all or any portion of the cost of acquiring, constructing, altering, improving or repairing any
properties or assets used or to be used in connection with such properties; or |
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indebtedness incurred by us or any restricted subsidiary to provide funds for the activities set
forth in the two bullet points immediately above with respect to such properties; |
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liens securing indebtedness owed by a restricted subsidiary to us or to any other restricted
subsidiary; |
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liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of such property by us or a subsidiary or liens
on the property of any corporation or other entity existing at the time such corporation or other
entity becomes a restricted subsidiary or is merged with us in compliance with the applicable
indenture and in either case not incurred in connection with the acquisition of such property or
such corporation or other entity becoming a restricted subsidiary or being merged with us,
provided that such liens do not cover any property or assets of ours or any of our restricted
subsidiaries other than the property so acquired; |
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liens on any property securing: |
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indebtedness incurred in connection with the construction, installation or financing of
pollution control or abatement facilities or other forms of industrial revenue bond financing;
or |
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indebtedness issued or guaranteed by the United States or any state thereof; |
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any lien extending, renewing or replacing (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements of)
any lien of any type permitted under any bullet point above, provided that such lien extends to or
covers only the property that is subject to the lien being extended, renewed or replaced; |
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certain liens arising in the ordinary course of our business or that of our restricted subsidiaries; |
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any lien resulting from the deposit of moneys or evidences of indebtedness in trust for the
purpose of defeasing indebtedness of ours or any restricted subsidiary; or |
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liens (exclusive of any lien of any type otherwise permitted under any bullet point above)
securing our indebtedness or that of any restricted subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount
which, together with the aggregate amount of attributable indebtedness deemed to be outstanding
in respect of all sale/leaseback transactions permitted pursuant to the first bullet point under
Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions below (exclusive of any such sale/leaseback |
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transactions otherwise permitted under any bullet point above), does not at the time such
indebtedness is incurred exceed 7.5% of our consolidated net tangible assets (as shown in the
most recent published quarterly or year-end consolidated balance sheet of our company and its
subsidiaries). |
Unless otherwise specified in any prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of
debt securities, the following types of transactions will not be prohibited or otherwise limited by
the foregoing covenant:
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the sale, granting of liens with respect to, or other transfer of, crude oil, natural gas or other
petroleum hydrocarbons in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the
transferee will realize therefrom a specified amount (however determined) of money or of such
crude oil, natural gas or other petroleum hydrocarbons; |
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the sale or other transfer of any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as
a production payment, overriding royalty, forward sale or similar interest; |
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the entering into of currency hedge obligations, interest rate hedging agreements or oil and gas
hedging contracts, although liens securing any indebtedness for borrowed money that is the
subject of any such obligation shall not be permitted hereby unless permitted under the provisions
described above; and |
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the granting of liens required by any contract or statute in order to permit us or any restricted
subsidiary to perform any contract or subcontract made by it with or at the request of the United
States or any state thereof, or to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments to us or any
restricted subsidiary by such governmental unit pursuant to the provisions of any contract or
statute. |
Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. Unless otherwise stated in an accompanying
prospectus supplement, we will not, and will not permit any restricted subsidiary to, enter into
any sale/leaseback transaction with any person (other than us or a restricted subsidiary) unless:
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we or such restricted subsidiary would be entitled to incur indebtedness, in a principal amount
equal to the attributable indebtedness with respect to such sale/leaseback transaction, secured by a
lien on the property subject to such sale/leaseback transaction pursuant to the covenant described
in the last bullet point of the second paragraph under Limitation on Liens above without
equally and ratably securing such series of debt securities pursuant to such covenant; |
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after the date on which the series of debt securities is originally issued and within a period
commencing six months prior to the consummation of such sale/leaseback transaction and ending
six months after the consummation thereof, we or such restricted subsidiary will have expended
for property used or to be used in the ordinary course of our business or that of our restricted
subsidiaries (including amounts expended for the exploration, drilling or development thereof,
and for additions, alterations, repairs and improvements thereto) an amount equal to all or a
portion of the net proceeds of such sale/leaseback transaction and we elect to designate such
amount pursuant to this bullet point with respect to such sale/leaseback transaction (with any such
amount not being so designated and not permitted under the immediately preceding bullet point to
be applied as set forth in the bullet point that immediately follows); or |
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we, during the 12-month period after the effective date of such sale/leaseback transaction, apply
to the voluntary defeasance or retirement of debt securities of such series or any pari passu
indebtedness an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the
property leased in such sale/leaseback transaction and the fair value, as determined by the our |
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board of directors, of such property at the time of entering into such sale/leaseback transaction (in
either case adjusted to reflect the remaining term of the lease and any amount designated by us as
set forth in the immediately preceding bullet point), less an amount equal to the principal amount
of such series of securities and pari passu indebtedness voluntarily defeased or retired by us
within such 12-month period and not designated with respect to any other sale/leaseback
transaction entered into by us or any restricted subsidiary during such period. |
Other Covenants. A series of debt securities may provide for other covenants applicable to us
and our subsidiaries. A description of any such affirmative and negative covenants will be
contained in a prospectus supplement applicable to such series.
Certain Definitions
Attributable indebtedness, when used with respect to any sale/leaseback transaction, means
the present value (discounted at a rate equivalent to our then current weighted average cost of
funds for borrowed money, compounded on a semi-annual basis) of the total obligations of the lessee
for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale/leaseback
transaction (including any period for which such lease can be extended).
Capitalized lease obligation means any obligation to pay rent or other amounts under a lease
of property that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles; and the amount of such obligation shall be the
capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Consolidated net tangible assets means, for us and our restricted subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the
aggregate amounts of assets (less depreciation and valuation reserves and other reserves and items
deductible from gross book value of specific asset accounts under generally accepted accounting
principles) that would be included on a balance sheet after deducting therefrom (a) all liability
items except deferred income taxes, funded indebtedness and other long-term liabilities and (b) all
goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like
intangibles.
Currency hedge obligations means obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business
pursuant to any foreign currency exchange agreement, option or futures contract or other similar
agreement or arrangement designed to protect against or manage exposure to fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates.
Funded indebtedness means all indebtedness that matures by its terms, or that is renewable
at the option of any obligor thereon to a date, more than one year after the date on which such
indebtedness is originally incurred.
Indebtedness means:
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all indebtedness for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of
the assets of the borrower or only to a portion thereof); |
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all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; |
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all obligations in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (or reimbursement
obligations with respect thereto), other than standby letters of credit incurred in the ordinary
course of business; |
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all obligations to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade
payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business; |
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all capitalized lease obligations; |
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all indebtedness of others secured by a lien on any asset of the relevant entity, whether or not
such indebtedness is assumed by such entity; |
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all indebtedness of others guaranteed by the relevant entity to the extent of such guarantee; and |
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all obligations in respect of currency hedge obligations, interest rate hedging agreements and oil
and gas hedging contracts. |
Interest rate hedging agreements means obligations under:
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interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;
and |
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other agreements or arrangements designed to protect the relevant entity or any of its subsidiaries
against fluctuations in interest rates. |
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest
or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset (including, any production payment, advance
payment or similar arrangement with respect to minerals in place), whether or not filed, recorded
or otherwise perfected under applicable law. For the purposes of the indentures, we or any
restricted subsidiary will be deemed to own subject to a lien any asset that we or it has acquired
or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement,
capitalized lease obligation (other than any capitalized lease obligation relating to property used
or to be used in the ordinary course of our business or that of any restricted subsidiary) or other
title retention agreement relating to such asset.
Oil and gas hedging contracts means any oil and gas purchase or hedging agreement or other
agreement or arrangement that is designed to provide protection against oil and gas price
fluctuations.
Pari passu indebtedness means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any
indebtedness of ours, whether outstanding on the date on which the series of debt securities were
originally issued or thereafter incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any particular
indebtedness, the instrument governing the indebtedness expressly provides that such indebtedness
shall be subordinated in right of payment to such series of debt securities.
Restricted subsidiary means any subsidiary the principal business of which is carried on in,
or the majority of the operating assets of which are located in, the United States (including areas
subject to its jurisdiction).
Sale/leaseback transaction means any arrangement with another person providing for the
leasing by us or any restricted subsidiary, for a period of more than three years, of any property
that has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such restricted subsidiary to such other
person in contemplation of such leasing.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, each of the following
will constitute an event of default under the indentures with respect to a series of debt
securities:
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default by us for 30 days in payment when due of any interest on any debt securities of such
series; |
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default by us in any payment when due of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities
of such series; |
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default by us in performance of any other covenant or agreement applicable to such series of debt
securities that has not been remedied within 90 days after written notice by the trustee or by the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the series of debt securities then outstanding; |
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the acceleration of the maturity of any of our indebtedness or that of any restricted subsidiary
(other than such series of debt securities) (provided that such acceleration is not rescinded within
a period of 10 days from the occurrence of such acceleration) having an outstanding principal
amount of $10 million or more individually or in the aggregate, or a default in the payment of any
principal of or interest on any of our indebtedness or that of any restricted subsidiary (other than
such series of debt securities) having an outstanding principal amount of $10 million or more
individually or in the aggregate and such default shall be continuing for a period of 30 days
without us or such restricted subsidiary curing such default; |
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failure by us or any restricted subsidiary to pay final, non-appealable judgments aggregating in
excess of $10 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; |
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certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any restricted
subsidiary; or |
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any other event of default described in an accompanying prospectus supplement. |
If an event of default (other than as a result of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization)
for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25%
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the
principal amount of the debt securities of that series (or such portion of the principal amount of
such debt securities as may be specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement) to be due and
payable immediately. If an event of default results from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization,
the principal amount of all the debt securities of a series (or such portion of the principal
amount of such debt securities as may be specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement) will
automatically become immediately due and payable. If an acceleration occurs, subject to certain
conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of
that series can rescind the acceleration.
Other than its duties in case of an event of default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise
any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request of any of the holders,
unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity and certain other conditions are
satisfied. Subject to indemnification of the trustee and the satisfaction of certain other
conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of any series may 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 debt securities of that series.
The holders of debt securities of any series will not have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the applicable indenture, unless:
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the holder has given written notice to the trustee of an event of default; |
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the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that
series have made written request, and such holder or holders have offered reasonable indemnity
to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and |
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the trustee fails to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction
inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. |
Such limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security
for the enforcement of payment of the principal of and interest or premium on such debt security on
or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.
Pursuant to each indenture, we are or will be required to furnish to the trustee annually within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not
we are in default in the performance of any of the terms of the applicable indenture.
Conversion Rights
Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, debt securities will not
be convertible into other securities. If a particular series of debt securities may be converted
into other securities, such conversion will be according to the terms and conditions contained in
an accompanying prospectus supplement. Such terms will include the conversion price, the conversion
period, provisions as to whether conversion will be mandatory, at the option of the holders of such
series of debt securities or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion if such series of debt securities is
called for redemption.
Payment and Transfer
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the debt securities of
each series initially will be issued only in book-entry form represented by one or more global
notes initially registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company
(often referred to as DTC), or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative
of DTC, and deposited with DTC. Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus
supplement, debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or multiples thereof.
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, beneficial interests in
debt securities in global form will be shown on, and transfers of interests in debt securities in
global form will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. Debt
securities in definitive form, if any, may be registered, exchanged or transferred at the office or
agency maintained by us for such purpose (which initially will be the corporate trust office of the
trustee located at 5847 San Felipe, Suite 1050, Houston, Texas 77057).
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, no global security may be
exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than
the depositary for such global security or any nominee of such depositary unless:
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the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary; |
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an event of default has occurred and is continuing; or |
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as otherwise provided in an accompanying prospectus supplement. |
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Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, payment of principal of
and premium, if any, and interest on debt securities in global form registered in the name of or
held by DTC or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered holder of such global debt security. However, if any of the
debt securities of such series are no longer represented by global debt securities, payment of
interest on such debt securities in definitive form may, at our option, be made at the corporate
trust office of the trustee or by check mailed directly to registered holders at their registered
addresses or by wire transfer to an account designated by a registered holder.
No service charge will apply to any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities,
but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable transfer tax or other
similar governmental charge. We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security
selected for redemption for a period of 15 days prior to the selection of the debt securities to be
redeemed.
Book-Entry System
DTC has advised us as follows:
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DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
banking organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the
Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A
of the Securities Exchange Act. |
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DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC and facilitates the settlement among
direct participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities,
through electronic computerized book-entry changes in direct participants accounts, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. |
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Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. |
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DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers. |
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Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks,
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct
participant, either directly or indirectly. |
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The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC. |
Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct
participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTCs records. The ownership
interest of each actual purchaser of debt securities is in turn to be recorded on the direct and
indirect participants records. Beneficial owners of debt securities will not receive written
confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written
confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their
holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owner entered into
the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in debt securities are to be accomplished by
entries made on the books of direct and indirect participants acting on behalf of beneficial
owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in
debt securities unless use of the book-entry system for such series of debt securities is
discontinued.
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To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities of a series deposited by direct
participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTCs partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such
other name as may be requested by DTC. The deposit of the debt securities with DTC and their
registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee do not effect any change in beneficial
ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of a series of debt securities;
DTCs records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such debt
securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The direct and indirect
participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their
customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct
participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to
beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to
debt securities in global form. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to the
issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.s consenting
or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on
the record date (identified in the listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
All payments on the debt securities in global form will be made to Cede & Co., or such other
nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTCs practice is to credit
direct participants accounts upon DTCs receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from
us or the trustee on payment dates in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTCs
records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in
bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC, us or the Trustee, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by
an authorized representative of DTC) shall be the responsibility of us or the trustee. Disbursement
of such payments to direct participants shall be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of
such payments to the beneficial owners shall be the responsibility of direct and indirect
participants.
DTC may discontinue providing its service as securities depositary with respect to a series of
debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the trustee. In addition, we may
decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor
securities depositary). Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities
depositary is not obtained, debt security certificates in fully registered form are required to be
printed and delivered to beneficial owners of the debt securities previously held in global form
representing such debt securities.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs book-entry system has been obtained
from sources that we believe to be reliable (including DTC), but we take no responsibility for its
accuracy.
Neither we, the trustee nor any underwriters applicable to a series of debt securities will
have any responsibility or obligation to direct participants, or the persons for whom they act as
nominees, with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC, its nominee or any direct participant
with respect to any ownership interest in debt securities, or payments to, or the providing of
notice to direct participants or beneficial owners.
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So long as debt securities are in DTCs book-entry system, secondary market trading activity
in the notes will settle in immediately available funds. All applicable payments on debt securities
issued in global form will be made by us in immediately available funds.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may consolidate with or merge into, or sell or lease substantially all of our properties to any
person if:
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the successor person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity
organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes our
obligations on the debt securities and under the applicable indenture; |
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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, will have occurred
and be continuing; and |
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any other conditions (if any) specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement are
met. |
Modification and Waiver
Under each indenture, our rights and obligations and the rights of holders may be modified with the
consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of each series affected by the modification. No modification of the principal or
interest payment terms, and no modification reducing the percentage required for modifications, is
effective against any holder without its consent.
Notices
Notices to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such holders as
they may appear in the security register.
Title
We, the trustee and any agent of ours or of the trustee may treat the person in whose name a debt
security is registered as the absolute owner of the debt security, whether or not such debt
security may be overdue, for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
law of the State of New York.
Information Concerning the Trustee
Wachovia Bank, National Association is:
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the trustee under the indenture governing $125 million principal amount of our 7.45%
Senior Notes due 2007; |
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the trustee under our senior indenture pursuant to which we have issued $175 million
principal amount of our 7% Senior Notes due 2011 and may issue additional senior debt securities; |
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the trustee under our subordinated indenture pursuant to which we have issued $250
million principal amount of our 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 and $325 million principal |
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amount of our 6% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and may issue additional subordinated debt
securities; and |
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a lender under our credit arrangements. |
Neither the senior indenture nor the subordinated indenture places a limit on the principal amount
of debt securities that may be issued thereunder.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK
Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of
200,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of April 26, 2005,
we had 63,199,417 shares of common stock outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Common Stock
Our common stockholders are entitled to one vote per share in the election of directors and on all
other matters submitted to a vote of our common stockholders. Our common stockholders do not have
cumulative voting rights.
Our common stockholders are entitled to receive ratably any dividends declared by our board of
directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Dividends on our common
stock are, however, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. We
do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Upon our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our common stockholders are entitled to receive ratably our
net assets available after payment of all of our debts and other liabilities. Any payment is,
however, subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Our common stockholders do
not have any preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights.
Preferred Stock
The following summary describes certain general terms of our authorized preferred stock. If we
offer preferred stock, a description will be filed with the SEC and the specific terms of the
preferred stock will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement, including the following
terms:
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the series, the number of shares offered and the liquidation value of the preferred
stock; |
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the price at which the preferred stock will be issued; |
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the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable and other terms
relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred stock; |
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the liquidation preference of the preferred stock; |
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the voting rights of the preferred stock; |
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whether the preferred stock is redeemable or subject to a sinking fund, and the terms
of any such redemption or sinking fund; |
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whether the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable for any other securities,
and the terms of any such conversion; and |
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any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of
the preferred stock. |
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Our certificate of incorporation allows our board of directors to issue preferred stock from
time to time in one or more series, without any action being taken by our stockholders. Subject to
the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and limitations prescribed by law, our board of
directors may adopt resolutions to issue shares of a series of our preferred stock, and establish
their terms. These terms may include:
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voting powers; |
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designations; |
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preferences; |
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dividend rights; |
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dividend rates; |
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terms of redemption; |
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redemption process; |
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conversion rights; and |
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any other terms permitted to be established by our certificate of incorporation and
by applicable law. |
The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non assessable.
Anti Takeover Provisions
Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may encourage persons considering
unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of
directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the
certificate of incorporation of a corporation specifies otherwise, any action that could be taken
by stockholders at an annual or special meeting may be taken without a meeting and without
notice to or a vote of other stockholders if a consent in writing is signed by the holders of
outstanding stock having voting power that would be sufficient to take such action at a meeting at
which all outstanding shares were present and voted. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws
provide that stockholder action may be taken in writing by the consent of holders of not less than
66% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. As a result,
stockholders may not act upon any matter except at a duly called meeting or by the written consent
of holders of 66% or more of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
Supermajority Vote Required for Certain Transactions. The affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 66% of the outstanding shares of common stock is required to approve any merger or
consolidation of our company or any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets.
Blank Check Preferred Stock. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes blank check preferred
stock. Our board of directors can set the voting, redemption, conversion and other rights relating
to such preferred stock and can issue such stock in either a private or public transaction. The
issuance of preferred stock, while providing desired flexibility in connection with possible
acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could adversely affect the voting power of holders of
common stock and the likelihood that
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holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation and could have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company.
Business Combinations under Delaware Law. We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to Section
203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 prevents an interested stockholder (i.e.,
a person who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock) from engaging in certain business
combinations with our company for three years following the date that the person became an
interested stockholder. These restrictions do not apply if:
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before the person became an interested stockholder, our board of directors approved
either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder
becoming an interested stockholder; |
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upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our outstanding voting
stock at the time the transaction commenced; or |
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following the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, the
business combination is approved by both our board of directors and the holders of at least
two-thirds of our outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder. |
These restrictions do not apply to certain business combinations proposed by an interested
stockholder following the announcement of certain extraordinary transactions involving our company
and a person who was not an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an
interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of our directors, if that extraordinary
transaction is approved or goes unopposed by a majority of our directors who were directors before
any person became an interested stockholder in the previous three years or who were recommended for
election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of directors then in office.
Stockholder Rights Agreement. Our board of directors has adopted a stockholder rights agreement.
Under the rights agreement, each right entitles the registered holder under the circumstances
described below to purchase from our company one one-thousandth of a share of our Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the preferred shares), at a price of
$85 per one one-thousandth of a preferred share, subject to adjustment. The following is a summary
of certain terms of the rights agreement. The rights agreement is an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part, and this summary is qualified by reference to the
specific terms of the rights agreement.
Until the distribution date, the rights attach to all
common stock certificates representing outstanding shares. No separate right certificate will be
distributed. A right is issued for each share of common stock issued. The rights will separate from
the common stock and a distribution date will occur upon the earlier of:
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ten business days following a public announcement that a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons has acquired beneficial ownership of 20% or more of our
outstanding voting stock; or |
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ten business days following the commencement or announcement of an intention to
commence a tender offer or exchange offer the completion of which would result in the beneficial
ownership by a person or group of 20% or more of our outstanding voting stock. |
Until the distribution date or the earlier of redemption or expiration of the rights, the rights
will be evidenced by the certificates representing the common stock. As soon as practicable
following the distribution date, separate certificates evidencing the rights will be mailed to
holders of record of our
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common stock as of the close of business on the distribution date and such separate rights
certificates alone will thereafter evidence the rights.
The rights are not exercisable until the distribution date. The rights will expire on February 22,
2009, unless the expiration date is extended or the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged.
If a person or group acquires 20% or more of our voting stock, each right then outstanding, other
than rights beneficially owned by the acquiring persons, which would become null and void, becomes
a right to buy that number of shares of common stock, or under certain circumstances, the
equivalent number of one one-thousandths of a preferred share, that at the time of such acquisition
has a market value of two times the purchase price of the right.
If we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or assets constituting
more than 50% of our consolidated assets or producing more than 50% of our earning power or cash
flow are sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a right will thereafter have
the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current purchase price of the right,
that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company that at the time of such transaction
has a market value of two times the purchase price of the right.
The dividend and liquidation rights, and the non-redemption feature, of the preferred shares are
designed so that the value of one one-thousandth of a preferred share purchasable upon exercise of
each right will approximate the value of one share of common stock. The preferred shares issuable
upon exercise of the rights will be non-redeemable and rank junior to all other series of our
preferred stock. Each whole preferred share will be entitled to receive a quarterly preferential
dividend in an amount per share equal to the greater of (a) $1.00 in cash or (b) 1,000 times the
aggregate per share dividend declared on the common stock. In the event of liquidation, the
holders of preferred shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidation payment per
whole share equal to the greater of (a) $1,000 per share or (b) 1,000 times the aggregate amount to
be distributed per share of common stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other
transaction in which the shares of common stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash or other property, each whole preferred share will be entitled to 1,000 times the
amount received per share of common stock. Each whole preferred share will be entitled to 1,000
votes on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, and preferred shares will generally
vote together as one class with the common stock and any other capital stock on all matters
submitted to a vote of our stockholders.
The purchase price and the number of one one-thousandths of a preferred share or other securities
or property issuable upon exercise of the rights may be adjusted from time to time to prevent
dilution.
At any time after a person or group of affiliated or associated persons acquires beneficial
ownership of 20% or more of our outstanding voting stock and before a person or group acquires
beneficial ownership of 50% or more of our outstanding voting stock, our board of directors may, at
its option, issue common stock in mandatory redemption of, and in exchange for, all or part of the
then outstanding exercisable rights, other than rights owned by such person or group, which would
become null and void, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock, or one one-thousandth of a
preferred share, for each two shares of common stock for which each right is then exercisable,
subject to adjustment.
At any time prior to the first public announcement that a person or group has become the beneficial
owner of 20% or more of our outstanding voting stock, our board of directors may redeem all, but
not less than all, of the then outstanding rights at a price of $0.01 per right. The redemption of
the rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as our board
of directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon the action of our board of
directors ordering redemption of
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the rights, the right to exercise the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of
rights will be to receive the redemption price.
Limitation Of Liability Of Officers And Directors
Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of officers and
directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of officers and
directors fiduciary duty of care. The duty of care requires that, when acting on behalf of the
corporation, officers and directors must exercise an informed business judgment based on all
material information reasonably available to them. Absent the limitations authorized by Delaware
law, officers and directors are accountable to corporations and their stockholders for monetary
damages for conduct constituting gross negligence in the exercise of their duty of care. Delaware
law enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or
rescission.
Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our officers and directors to our company
and our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Specifically, our officers
and directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of an officers or
directors fiduciary duty in such capacity, except for liability
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for any breach of the officers or directors duty of loyalty to our company or our
stockholders; |
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for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law; |
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for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as
provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation law; or |
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for any transaction from which the officer or director derived an improper personal
benefit. |
The inclusion of this provision in our certificate of incorporation may reduce the likelihood of
derivative litigation against our officers and directors, and may discourage or deter stockholders
or management from bringing a lawsuit against our officers and directors for breach of their duty
of care, even though such an action, if successful, might have otherwise benefited our company and
our stockholders. Both our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide indemnification to our
officers and directors and certain other persons with respect to certain matters to the maximum
extent allowed by Delaware law as it exists now or may hereafter be amended. These provisions do
not alter the liability of officers and directors under federal securities laws and do not affect
the right to sue, nor to recover monetary damages, under federal securities laws for violations
thereof.
Transfer Agent And Registrar
Our transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If
we decide to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary
shares. Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of
preferred stock. An accompanying prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of
preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement
between us and a depositary that is a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is
selected by us. Each owner of a
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depositary share will be entitled to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock
represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts
issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons
purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.
We have summarized selected provisions of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts.
Dividends and Other Distributions
If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary
shares, the depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary
shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the depositary will distribute the
property to the record holders of the depositary shares. If, however, the depositary determines
that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the depositary may, with our approval,
sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the holders of the preferred
stock.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary will
redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the depositary in connection with the
redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the
redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are
redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the
depositary may determine.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by
depositary shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the notice to the record holders
of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary
shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock,
may instruct the depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holders
depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the
preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we
will take all action that the depositary deems necessary in order to enable the depositary to do
so. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not
receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred
stock.
Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit
agreement may be amended by agreement between the depositary and us. Any amendment that materially
and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not, however, be effective
unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary
shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if
(a) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (b) there has been a final distribution
in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence
of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the
initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of
depositary receipts will pay
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other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for
the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly
provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, subject to the
terms of the deposit agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the
number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by
those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary
receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of
depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the
depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the
excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter
deposit those shares under the deposit agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing
depositary shares therefor.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from
us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the
preferred stock.
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any
circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the deposit agreement. The
obligations of the depositary and us under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in
good faith of our duties thereunder, and we will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal
proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is
furnished. We may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided
by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons
believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of its election to do so, and we
may at any time remove the depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor
depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal
and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WARRANTS
We may issue securities warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, depositary
shares or common stock. Securities warrants may be issued independently or together with debt
securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement
and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of securities
warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank
or trust company, as warrant agent, all as set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the
particular issue of securities warrants. The securities warrant agent will act solely as our agent
in connection with the securities warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of
agency or trust for or with any holders of securities warrants or beneficial owners of securities
warrants.
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We have summarized selected provisions of the securities warrant agreements. A prospectus
supplement relating to a particular issue of securities warrants will contain the terms of and
information relating to that issue of securities warrants, including, where applicable:
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the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of
the series of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of securities warrants to purchase debt
securities and the price at which such debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise; |
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the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of securities
warrants to purchase common stock and the price at which such number of shares of common stock may
be purchased upon such exercise; |
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the number of shares and series of preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable
upon the exercise of securities warrants to purchase preferred stock or depositary shares and the
price at which such number of shares of such series of preferred stock or depositary shares may be
purchased upon such exercise; |
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the date on which the right to exercise such securities warrants shall commence and
the date on which such right shall expire; |
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United States federal income tax consequences applicable to such securities warrants; |
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the amount of securities warrants outstanding as of the most recent practicable date;
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any other terms of such securities warrants. |
Securities warrants will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for securities
warrants will be subject to adjustment in accordance with a prospectus supplement relating to the
particular issue of securities warranties.
Each securities warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such principal amount of debt
securities or such number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at such
exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, a prospectus supplement
relating to the securities warrants, which exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events as set forth in such prospectus supplement. After the close of
business on the expiration date, or such later date to which such expiration date may be extended
by us, unexercised securities warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner
in which, securities warrants may be exercised shall be specified in a prospectus supplement
relating to such securities warrants.
Prior to the exercise of any securities warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock,
preferred stock or depositary shares, holders of such securities warrants will not have any of the
rights of holders of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as the
case may be, purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of principal
of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise or
to enforce covenants in any applicable indenture, or to receive payments of dividends, if any, on
the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon such exercise, or to
exercise any applicable right to vote.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us,
and obligating us to sell to holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other
securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as stock purchase
contracts. The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be
fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a
specific formula set forth in the
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stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units
consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities, warrants or debt
obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, securing the holders obligations
to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as stock
purchase units. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under
the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require
us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and those
payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis.
An accompanying prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or
stock purchase units and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements relating to the
stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. Material United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be
discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the offered securities:
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through underwriters or dealers; |
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through agents; or |
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directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights
offering. |
By Underwriters
If underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters
for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions,
including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined
at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject
to certain conditions. Unless indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the underwriters
must purchase all the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased. Any initial public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be
changed from time to time.
By Agents
Offered securities may also be sold through agents designated by us. Unless indicated in an
accompanying prospectus supplement, any such agent is acting on a best efforts basis for the period
of its appointment.
Direct Sales; Rights Offerings
Offered securities may also be sold directly by us. In this case, no underwriters or agents would
be involved. We may sell offered securities upon the exercise of rights that may be issued to our
securityholders.
Delayed Delivery Arrangements
We may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain institutional
investors to purchase offered securities providing for payment and delivery on a future date
specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Institutional investors to which such offers
may be made, when authorized, include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension
funds, investment companies, education and charitable institutions and such other institutions as
may be approved by us.
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The obligations of any such purchasers under such delayed delivery and payment arrangements
will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the offered securities will not at the time
of delivery be prohibited under applicable law. The underwriters and such agents will not have any
responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of such contracts.
General Information
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of offered securities may be
underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 and any discounts or commissions received by
them from us and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents will be
identified and their compensation described in an accompanying 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 that 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 businesses.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of securities will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas.
Legal counsel to any underwriters may pass upon legal matters for such underwriters.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Inland Resources Inc. as of December 31, 2003 and for the
year then ended incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Amendment No. 1 to our Current
Report on Form 8-K/A as filed with the SEC on November 12, 2004 have been audited by Hein &
Associates LLP, as set forth in their report thereon filed therewith. Such consolidated
financial statements are so incorporated in reliance upon such report given on the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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