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PACIFIC ENERGY PARTNERS LP
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8-K
Jun 12, 9:35 PM ET
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PACIFIC ENERGY PARTNERS LP 8-K
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Contents
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings respectively:
SECTION 1.2 Rules of Construction. The division of this Agreement into articles, sections and other portions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation hereof. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to an “Article” or “Section” followed by a number or a letter refer to the specified Article or Section of this Agreement. The terms “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and similar expressions refer to this Agreement (including the Buyer Disclosure Schedule and the Seller Disclosure Schedule) and not to any particular Article, Section or other portion hereof. Unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires, (a) all references to “dollars” or “$” mean United States dollars, (b) words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender shall include all genders, (c) ”include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation,” and (d) all words used as accounting terms shall have the meanings assigned to them under United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”). In the event that any date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by any of the parties hereto is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day. Reference to any party hereto is also a reference to such party’s permitted successors and assigns. The Exhibits attached to this Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement and form part hereof. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to an “Exhibit” followed by a number or a letter refer to the specified Exhibit to this Agreement. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any person by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II PURCHASE
SECTION 2.1 Purchase.
(a) Closing Date. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.1 (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Baker Botts L.L.P. at 910 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002, on the date of the Merger, but immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger (such date the “Closing Date”).
(b) Purchase of Purchased Interests. On the Closing Date, Seller shall convey to Buyer:
(i) 7,848,750 MLP Subordinated Units (the “Purchased Subordinated Units”), which units constitute approximately 19.97% of the issued and outstanding
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limited partner interests in MLP (such conveyance or assignment to be in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit A to this Agreement or in such other form as is required to transfer such Purchased Subordinated Units through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company), free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than those set forth in the MLP Partnership Agreement);
(ii) 2,616,250 MLP Common Units (the “Purchased Common Units”), which units constitute approximately 6.7% of the issued and outstanding limited partner interests in MLP (such conveyance or assignment to be in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit B to this Agreement or in such other form as is required to transfer such Purchased Common Units through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company), free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than those set forth in the MLP Partnership Agreement);
(iii) a 99.9% limited partner interest in MLP General Partner (the “Purchased GP Interest”), which interest constitutes the sole issued and outstanding limited partner interest in MLP General Partner (such conveyance or assignment to be in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit C to this Agreement), free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than those set forth in the MLP General Partner Partnership Agreement); and
(iv) a 100% limited liability company interest in General Partner Holdco (the “Purchased Holdco Interest”), which interest constitutes the sole issued and outstanding member interest in General Partner Holdco (such conveyance or assignment to be in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit D to this Agreement), free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than those set forth in the General Partner Holdco LLC Agreement);
(c) Conditions to Closing. (i) The obligation of Seller to proceed with the Closing is subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of all of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by Seller in writing, in whole or in part:
(A) All of the conditions of the MLP Parties to the consummation of the Merger (other than completing the transactions referred to in this Section 2.1) shall have been satisfied or waived; and
(B) (i) The representations and warranties of Buyer set forth in Section 3.2 shall be true and correct in all material respects (without regard to any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) as of the Closing Date, as if remade on such date (except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date), and Buyer shall have
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performed all of its obligations hereunder in all material respects, and (ii) Seller shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, of an executive officer of Buyer certifying to the matters set forth in this Section 2.1(c)(i)(B).
(ii) The obligation of Buyer to proceed with the Closing is subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of all of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by Buyer in writing, in whole or in part:
(A) All of the conditions of the Buyer Parties (as defined in the Merger Agreement) to the consummation of the Merger (other than completing the transactions referred to in this Section 2.1) shall have been satisfied or waived;
(B) (i) The representations and warranties of Seller set forth in Section 3.1 (other than those set forth in Section 3.1(m)) shall be true and correct in all material respects (without regard to any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) as of the Closing Date, as if remade on such date (except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of such specific date), and Seller shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder in all material respects, and (ii) Buyer shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, of an executive officer of Seller certifying to the matters set forth in this Section 2.1(c)(ii)(B);
(C) The representation and warranty of Seller set forth in Section 3.1(m) shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, as if remade on such date, except where the failure of such representation and warranty to be true and correct would not, in the aggregate, result in an MLP Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) Buyer shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, of an executive officer of Seller certifying to the matters set forth in this Section 2.1(c)(ii)(C); and
(D) All outstanding debt of Seller, including all principal, accrued and unpaid interest and fees under the Seller Credit Facility, shall have been paid off as of or prior to the Closing.
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION
SECTION 3.1 Representations of Seller. Except as set forth in a section of the Seller Disclosure Schedule delivered concurrently herewith corresponding to the applicable sections of this Section 3.1 to which such disclosure applies (provided that any information set forth in one section of the Seller Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to each other Section thereof to which its relevance is reasonably apparent on its face) Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that:
(a) Organization; Qualification. Seller has been duly formed and is validly existing and in good standing as a limited partnership under the law of the State of Delaware with all requisite partnership power and authority to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently
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conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Seller is duly qualified and in good standing to do business as a foreign limited partnership in each jurisdiction in which the conduct or nature of its business or the ownership, leasing, holding or operating of its properties makes such qualification necessary, except such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Authority; No Violation. Seller has all requisite partnership power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite partnership action on the part of Seller and its general partner, and no other partnership proceedings are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Buyer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms (except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)). Except for matters described in clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) below that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Seller, neither the execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement, nor the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and the performance by Seller of this Agreement will (i) violate or conflict with any provision of Seller’s Certificate of Limited Partnership or Agreement of Limited Partnership; (ii) require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, registration, declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Governmental Entity or any other person; (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation or the loss of any benefit under Seller’s or any MLP Group Entity’s governing documents or any agreement or instrument to which Seller or any MLP Group Entity is a party or by or to which Seller or any MLP Group Entity or any of their properties are bound or subject; (iv) result in the creation of an Encumbrance upon or require the sale or give any person the right to acquire any of the assets of Seller or any MLP Group Entity, or restrict, hinder, impair or limit the ability of Seller or any MLP Group Entity to carry on its businesses as and where they are now being carried on; or (v) violate or conflict with any Law applicable to Seller or any MLP Group Entity. Section 3.1(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule identifies all material consents, approvals and authorizations of any Governmental Entity or third party that are required to be obtained by Seller or any MLP Group Entity for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(c) Brokerage and Finder’s Fee. Except for MLP’s and Seller’s obligations to Petrie Parkman & Co. and Lehman Brothers Inc. as described in Section 5.9 of the MLP Disclosure Schedule (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement), none of Seller or any MLP Group Entity, nor any equityholder, director, officer or employee thereof, has incurred or will incur on behalf of Seller, any MLP Group Entity or itself, any brokerage, finders’, success, deal completion or similar fee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that will impose any obligation on Buyer or any MLP Group Entity.
(d) Capitalization of MLP General Partner. Seller is the sole limited partner of MLP General Partner and is the sole beneficial owner of the limited partner interest in MLP General Partner. General Partner Holdco is the sole general partner of MLP General Partner and is the sole beneficial owner of the general partner interest in MLP General Partner. Each such limited partner interest and general partner interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with applicable Laws and the MLP General Partner Partnership Agreement, and is fully paid (to the extent required under the MLP General Partner Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act). Except for any Encumbrances arising under the MLP General Partner Partnership Agreement, applicable securities Laws or this Agreement, Seller and General Partner Holdco own their respective interests in MLP General Partner free and clear of any Encumbrances and have good and marketable title to such interests; and upon delivery of such limited partner interest and the payment of the purchase price therefor as contemplated by this Agreement, Buyer will receive good and marketable title to such interest free and clear of any Encumbrances.
(e) Financial Statements of MLP General Partner. The unaudited non-consolidated financial statements of MLP General Partner as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (the “MLP General Partner Financial Statements”), including all related notes and schedules (such MLP General Partner Financial Statements and related notes and schedules being included in Section 3.1(e) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule), fairly present in all material respects the financial position of MLP General Partner, as of the respective dates thereof, and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in partners’ equity of MLP General Partner for the periods indicated, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and subject in the case of interim financial statements to normal year-end adjustment.
(f) Undisclosed Liabilities of MLP General Partner. MLP General Partner does not have any indebtedness or liability, absolute or contingent, which is of a nature required to be reflected on the balance sheet of MLP General Partner or in the footnotes thereto, in each case prepared in conformity with GAAP, and which is not shown on or provided for in the MLP General Partner Financial Statements, other than (1) liabilities incurred or accrued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since December 31, 2005, including liens for current Taxes and assessments not in default, or (2) liabilities of MLP General Partner that, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to MLP General Partner.
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(g) MLP General Partner Assets and Conduct of Business. Since its formation, MLP General Partner has not owned any assets other than its 2% general partner interest in MLP and the MLP incentive distribution rights and has not conducted any business other than that related to its acting as the general partner of MLP.
(h) Capitalization of General Partner Holdco. Seller is the sole member of General Partner Holdco and is the sole beneficial holder of the limited liability company interest in General Partner Holdco. Such limited liability company interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with applicable Laws and the General Partner Holdco LLC Agreement, and is fully paid (to the extent required under the General Partner Holdco LLC Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act). Except for any Encumbrances arising under the General Partner Holdco LLC Agreement, applicable securities Laws or this Agreement, Seller owns its interest in General Partner Holdco free and clear of any Encumbrances and has good and marketable title to such interest; and upon delivery of such interest and the payment of the purchase price therefor as contemplated by this Agreement, Buyer will receive good and marketable title to such interest free and clear of any Encumbrances.
(i) Financial Statements of General Partner Holdco. The unaudited non-consolidated financial statements of General Partner Holdco as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (the “General Partner Holdco Financial Statements”), including all related notes and schedules (such General Partner Holdco Financial Statements and related notes and schedules being included in Section 3.1(i) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule), fairly present in all material respects the financial position of General Partner Holdco, as of the respective dates thereof, and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in members’ equity of General Partner Holdco for the periods indicated, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and subject in the case of interim financial statements to normal year-end adjustment.
(j) Undisclosed Liabilities of General Partner Holdco. General Partner Holdco does not have any indebtedness, obligation or liability, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, and which is not shown on or provided for in the General Partner Holdco Financial Statements, other than (1) liabilities incurred or accrued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since December 31, 2005, including liens for current Taxes and assessments not in default, or (2) liabilities of General Partner Holdco that, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to General Partner Holdco.
(k) General Partner Holdco Assets and Conduct of Business. Since its formation, General Partner Holdco has not owned any assets other than its 0.1% general partner interest in MLP General Partner and has not conducted any business other than that related to its acting as the general partner of MLP General Partner.
(l) Interests in MLP. Seller owns beneficially and of record 2,616,250 MLP Common Units and 7,848,750 MLP Subordinated Units. MLP General Partner owns beneficially and of record a 2% general partner interest in MLP and the MLP incentive
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distribution rights and is the sole general partner of MLP. Each such interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with applicable Laws and the MLP Partnership Agreement, and is fully paid (to the extent required under the MLP Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except to the extent such non-assessability may be affected by the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act). Except for any Encumbrances arising under the MLP Partnership Agreement, applicable securities Laws or this Agreement, Seller and MLP General Partner own their above-described interests in MLP free and clear of any Encumbrances and have good and marketable title to such interests; and upon delivery of such interests and the payment of the purchase price therefor as contemplated by this Agreement, Buyer will receive good and marketable title to such interests free and clear of any Encumbrances.
(m) Taxes. Each of the Purchased Entities is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 301.7701-3.
(n) To the knowledge of Seller, the representations and warranties of the MLP Parties set forth in Article III of the Merger Agreement are true and correct.
(o) Limitation of Representations and Warranties. EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 3.1, THE PURCHASED INTERESTS ARE BEING SOLD AND TRANSFERRED “AS IS, WHERE IS,” AND SELLER IS NOT MAKING ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE PURCHASED INTERESTS, OR THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, OR LIABILITIES OF ANY OF MLP GENERAL PARTNER, GENERAL PARTNER HOLDCO, MLP OR ANY MLP GROUP ENTITY, INCLUDING, IN PARTICULAR, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ALL OF WHICH ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED AND DISCLAIMED.
SECTION 3.2 Representations of Buyer. Except as set forth in a section of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule delivered concurrently herewith corresponding to the applicable sections of this Section 3.2 to which such disclosure applies (provided that any information set forth in one section of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to each other Section thereof to which its relevance is reasonably apparent on its face), Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller that:
(a) Organization; Qualification. Buyer has been duly formed and is validly existing and in good standing as a limited partnership under the law of the State of Delaware with all requisite partnership power and authority to own, lease or otherwise hold and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on Buyer’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Buyer is duly qualified and in good standing to do business as a foreign limited partnership in each jurisdiction in which the conduct or nature of its business or the ownership, leasing, holding or operating of its properties makes such qualification necessary, except such jurisdictions where the failure
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to be so qualified or in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on Buyer’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Authority; No Violation. Buyer has all requisite partnership power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite partnership action on the part of Buyer and Buyer General Partner, and no other partnership proceedings are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Seller, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms (except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)). Except as set forth in Section 3.2(b) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule and matters described in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) below that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Buyer, neither the execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement, nor the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and the performance by Buyer of this Agreement will (i) violate or conflict with any provision of Buyer’s Certificate of Limited Partnership or Agreement of Limited Partnership; (ii) require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, registration, declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Governmental Entity or any other person; (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation or the loss of any benefit under Buyer’s or any Buyer Group Entity’s governing documents or any agreement or instrument to which Buyer or any Buyer Group Entity is a party or by or to which Buyer or any Buyer Group Entity or any of their properties are bound or subject; (iv) result in the creation of an Encumbrance upon any or require the sale or give any person the right to acquire any of the of assets of Buyer or any Buyer Group Entity, or restrict, hinder, impair or limit the ability of Buyer or any Buyer Group Entity to carry on its businesses as and where they are now being carried on; or (v) violate or conflict with any Law applicable to Buyer or any Buyer Group Entity. Section 3.2(b) of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule identifies all material consents, approvals and authorizations of any Governmental Entity or third party that are required to be obtained by Buyer or any Buyer Group Entity for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Brokerage and Finder’s Fee. None of Buyer nor any Buyer Group Entity, nor any equityholder, director, officer or employee thereof, has incurred or will incur on behalf of any of Buyer, any Buyer Group Entity or itself, any brokerage, finders’, success, deal completion or similar fee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that will impose any obligation on Seller.
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(d) Independent Investigation. Buyer has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial condition and prospects of MLP General Partner, General Partner Holdco, MLP and the MLP Group Entities, both individually and on a consolidated basis, which investigation, review and analysis was done by Buyer and, to the extent Buyer deemed necessary or appropriate, by its representatives.
(e) Investment Intent; Investment Experience; Restricted Securities. In acquiring the Purchased Interests, Buyer is not offering or selling, and shall not offer or sell the Purchased Interests, in connection with any distribution of any of such Purchased Interests, and Buyer has no participation and shall not participate in any such undertaking or in any underwriting of such an undertaking except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities Laws. Buyer acknowledges that it can bear the economic risk of its investment in the Purchased Interests, and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Purchased Interests. Buyer is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act. Buyer understands that none of the Purchased Interests shall have been registered pursuant to the Securities Act or any applicable state securities Laws, that all of such Purchased Interests shall be characterized as “restricted securities” under federal securities Laws and that under such Laws and applicable regulations none of such Purchased Interests can be sold or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom.
(f) Status. Buyer is not an employee benefit plan or other organization exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(a) of the Code, a non-resident alien, a foreign corporation or other foreign Person, or a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code.
(g) Financing. Buyer or its affiliates have currently available, and will have at the Closing, all funds necessary to pay the Purchase Price and to perform all other obligations under this Agreement.
(h) Limitation of Representations and Warranties. EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 3.2, BUYER IS NOT MAKING ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
ARTICLE IV ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS, COVENANTS, RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
SECTION 4.1 Covenant Compliance. Seller agrees to comply with, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its affiliates to comply with, all of the covenants contained in the Merger Agreement. Seller agrees to comply with Section 5.6(a) of the Merger Agreement as if it were included within the definition of “MLP Parties” for all purposes thereunder.
SECTION 4.2 Access to Information. Subject to Section 4.2(b) and applicable Laws, upon reasonable notice, Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
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the MLP Group Entities to afford the officers, employees, counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives and advisors of Buyer reasonable access, during normal business hours from the Execution Date until the earlier to occur of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement, to the MLP Group Entities’ properties, books, contracts and records as well as to their management personnel; provided that such access shall be provided on a basis that minimizes the disruption to the operations of the MLP Group Entities. Subject to Section 4.2(b) and applicable Laws, during such period, Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the MLP Group Entities to furnish promptly to Buyer all information concerning the MLP Group Entities’ business, properties and personnel as Buyer may reasonably request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall have no obligation to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the MLP Group Entities to disclose or provide access to any information the disclosure of which Seller or the MLP Group Entities have concluded may jeopardize any privilege available to such parties relating to such information or would be in violation of a confidentiality obligation binding on Seller or the MLP Group Entities.
(b) The parties acknowledge that certain information received pursuant to Section 4.2(a) will be non-public or proprietary in nature and as such will be deemed to be “Evaluation Material” for purposes of the MLP Confidentiality Agreement. Buyer further agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the MLP Confidentiality Agreement and to maintain the confidentiality of such Evaluation Material in accordance with the MLP Confidentiality Agreement. In the event that the Closing occurs, the MLP Confidentiality Agreement shall be terminated and of no further force or effect.
SECTION 4.3 Confidentiality. Seller shall not, and shall cause its affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, disclose to any person any confidential information, in any form, whether acquired prior to or after the Closing Date, relating to the business and operations of Buyer and its affiliates or, after the Closing, the MLP Group Entities; provided, however, that this obligation shall not apply to information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by Seller or its affiliates or representatives and information that becomes available to Seller and its affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than Buyer, its affiliates or the MLP Group Entities provided that such source is not known to Seller or its affiliates to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with Buyer, its affiliates or the MLP Group Entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller may disclose such confidential information if required by Law. Promptly following the Closing Date, Seller and its affiliates shall return to Buyer or destroy all information not in the public domain or not generally known in the industry, in any form, whether acquired prior to or after the Closing Date, relating to Buyer and its affiliates or the MLP Group Entities.
SECTION 4.4 Commercially Reasonable Efforts; Further Assurances. From and after the Execution Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and to do or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by, and to satisfy the closing conditions of, this Agreement and the Merger Agreement as promptly as practicable, and, except to the extent permitted by Section 5.6 of the Merger Agreement, shall take no action that could reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or materially affect the transactions
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contemplated hereby or by the Merger Agreement or the likelihood of such transactions being consummated. Without limiting the foregoing but subject to the other terms of this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that, from time to time, whether before, at or after the Closing Date, each of them will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such instruments of assignment, transfer, conveyance, endorsement, direction or authorization as may be necessary to consummate and make effective such transactions. Buyer and Seller understand and agree that no person who is or becomes during the term of this Agreement a director or officer of MLP, MLP General Partner or General Partner Holdco makes any agreement or understanding pursuant to this Section 4.4 in his or her capacity as such director or officer. Nothing in this Section 4.4 shall limit or affect any actions of any designee of Seller in his or her capacity as an officer or director of MLP, MLP General Partner or General Partner Holdco.
SECTION 4.5 No Public Announcement. Except as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, no party hereto shall issue any press release or make any other public announcement concerning this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (other than public announcements at industry road shows and conferences, as may be required by Law or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with the NYSE, in which event the party making the public announcement or press release shall, to the extent practicable, notify Buyer or Seller, as applicable, in advance of such public announcement or press release) without the prior approval of Buyer or Seller, as applicable, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer and Seller may respond to inquiries from securities analysts and the news media to the extent necessary to respond to such inquiries, provided that such responses are in compliance with applicable securities Laws.
SECTION 4.6 Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement are consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, including legal fees, accounting fees, financial advisory fees and other professional and non-professional fees and expenses, shall be paid by the party hereto incurring such expenses, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement and the Merger Agreement.
SECTION 4.7 Tax Matters.
(a) Buyer and Seller agree and consent to treat the purchase of the Purchased Interests more particularly described under Section 2.1 as a sale of the Purchased Interests in the manner described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(4).
(b) Following the Closing, Buyer shall cause MLP General Partner to provide Seller with a copy of the MLP and MLP General Partner federal income Tax Returns for any period ending on or before the Closing Date to be provided to Seller on or before the tenth Business Day prior to the due date (including extensions) for such Tax Returns and Buyer shall use reasonable efforts to consult with Seller with respect to the preparation of the Schedules K-1 relating to such Tax Returns.
SECTION 4.8 Transfer of Purchased Interests. Seller agrees not to sell, transfer, assign, convey or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of the Purchased Interests
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(a) As of or prior to the Closing, Seller shall pay off all of its outstanding debt including under the Seller Credit Facility (including all principal, accrued and unpaid interests and fees); terminate all the notes, pledges, mortgages, and other agreements relating to or arising from such debt; and to release, or caused to be released, all Encumbrances affecting the Purchased Interests.
(b) Without limiting Section 4.9(a), with respect to the Seller Credit Facility,
(i) Seller shall notify the Seller Credit Facility lenders in writing (with a copy of such writing being contemporaneously provided to Buyer) promptly after the date hereof that, subject to conditions to Closing set forth in Article II, all outstanding debt under the Seller Credit Facility (including all principal, accrued and unpaid interests and fees) will be paid in full on the Closing Date;
(ii) Seller shall cause the Seller Credit Facility lenders to inform Buyer in writing (with a copy to Seller regarding (A) the amount that will be required to pay in full all outstanding debt under the Seller Credit Facility on (and as of) the Closing Date (the “Payoff Amount”), and (B) account and wiring instructions for the Payoff Amount; and
(iii) Seller shall deliver to Buyer a copy of all documents and other instruments, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, executed by the Seller Credit Facility lenders and any third party, as the case may be, sufficient (A) to terminate all the notes, pledges, mortgages, and other agreements relating to or arising from the Seller Credit Facility, and (B) to release all Encumbrances affecting the Purchased Interests, including a written agreement of the Seller Credit Facility lenders (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer) to release such documents and other instruments to Buyer at Closing upon receipt of the Payoff Amount.
ARTICLE V TERMINATION AND REMEDIES FOR DEFAULT
ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS
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