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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K/A
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
May 10, 2010
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
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1-32740
(Commission
File Number)
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30-0108820
(IRS Employer
Identification Number) |
3738 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75219
(Address of principal executive offices)
(214) 981-0700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy
the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Acquisition of General Partner of Regency Energy Partners LP
As previously reported on May 11, on May 10, 2010, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (ETE) and
its wholly-owned subsidiary ETE GP Acquirer LLC (ETE Acquirer) entered into a General Partner
Purchase Agreement (the GP Purchase Agreement) with Regency GP Acquirer, L.P. (Regency
Acquirer) to acquire a 100% equity interest in the general partner entities of Regency Energy
Partners LP (Regency). In exchange, ETE will issue to Regency Acquirer 3,000,000 newly issued
Series A Convertible Preferred Units (the Preferred Units).
Regency Acquirer, an affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services, Inc. (GE EFS), owns,
directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding partnership interests in Regency GP LP (RGPLP),
which is the general partner of Regency, and all of the outstanding membership interests in Regency
GP LLC (RGPLLC), the general partner of RGPLP. Regency is a publicly-traded Delaware limited
partnership engaged in the gathering, processing, contract compression and transportation of
natural gas and natural gas liquids. RGPLP owns a 2.0% general partner interest and 100% of the
incentive distribution rights in Regency.
The Preferred Units will be issued in a private placement, relying on Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at a stated price of $100 per unit and will be entitled to a
preferential cash distribution of $2.00 per fiscal quarter. The Preferred Units will automatically
convert on the fourth anniversary of the date of issuance into an amount of ETE common units equal
in value to the issue price plus any accrued but unpaid distributions plus a specified premium
equal to the lesser of 10% of the issue price plus any accrued but unpaid distributions or a
premium derived from 25% of the accretion in the trading price of ETE common units subsequent to
the date of issuance of the Preferred Units. ETE may choose, at its sole option, to pay 50% of the
conversion consideration (based on the issue price plus any accrued
but unpaid distributions) in
cash. After the third anniversary of the date of issuance of the
Preferred Units, ETE may elect to redeem all, but not less than all,
of the Preferred Units for ETE common units or an amount in cash equal to the issue price
plus a premium paid out in common units, equal to the greater of 10% of the issue price plus any
accrued but unpaid distributions or a premium derived from 25% of the accretion in the trading
price of ETE common units subsequent to the date of issuance. GE EFS also has certain rights to
force ETE to redeem or convert the outstanding Preferred Units for specified consideration upon
the occurrence of certain extraordinary events involving ETE or Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
(ETP). Holders of the Preferred Units have no voting rights, except that approval of a
majority of the Preferred Units is needed to approve any amendment to ETEs Third Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the Partnership Agreement) that would result in (i)
any increase in the size of the class of Preferred Units, (ii) any alteration or change to the
rights, preferences, privileges, duties, or obligations of the Preferred Units or (iii) any other
matter that would adversely affect the rights or preferences of the Preferred Units, including in
relation to other classes of ETE partnership interests. The Preferred Units will be issued in
accordance with Amendment No. 3 (the Third Amendment) to the Partnership Agreement, which will be
adopted by LE GP, LLC, the general partner of ETE (the General Partner), in connection with the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the GP Purchase Agreement.
The GP Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants between
the parties, which include Regency continuing to operate its business in the ordinary course in all
material respects until the closing of the transaction. Closing of the transactions contemplated by
the GP Purchase Agreement is also conditioned on receipt of amendments and/or waivers of certain
provisions of ETEs credit facility, the satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions to the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the Redemption Agreement described under Redemption
and Exchange Agreement below and the Contribution Agreement described under Contribution
Agreement below, and certain other customary closing conditions.
At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the GP Purchase Agreement, ETE, ETP, and
Regency will adopt policies relating to conflicts of interest among ETP, ETE, Enterprise GP
Holdings L.P., and Regency (the Conflicts Policy). The Conflicts Policy will address (i)
standards for independence and separateness of the Boards of Directors of the general partners of
ETE, ETP and Regency, (ii) approval by
Conflicts Committees of the respective Boards of Directors
in the event of a material transaction between either ETP or ETE, on the one hand, and Regency, on
the other hand, (iii) procedures to prevent the sharing of commercially sensitive information
between either ETP or ETE, on the one hand, and Regency, on the other hand, and (iv) procedures for
the apportionment of business opportunities between ETP and Regency.
In addition, in connection with the GP Purchase Agreement, it is anticipated that ETE will
grant certain management rights to an affiliate of GE EFS with respect to Regency. In particular,
an affiliate of GE EFS will have the authority, so long as GE EFS and its affiliates continue to
maintain certain ownership thresholds in Regency common units, to appoint up to two directors to
the board of directors of RGPLLC, or alternatively, to appoint up to two board observers. It is
also anticipated that Kelcy Warren and Enterprise GP Holdings, L,P., as the collective owners of
approximately 81.2% of the membership interests of the General Partner, will grant Regency Acquirer
the right to appoint one director to the board of directors of the General Partner, or,
alternatively, to appoint one board observer, for so long as Regency Acquirer and its affiliates
maintain certain ownership thresholds of the Preferred Units.
A copy of the GP Purchase Agreement, including a form of the Third Amendment as Annex A, is
attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01. The
foregoing summaries of the GP Purchase Agreement and the Third Amendment does not purport to be
complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to Exhibit 2.1 hereto.
Redemption and Exchange Agreement
Also on May 10, 2010, ETP and ETE entered into a Redemption and Exchange Agreement (the
Redemption Agreement) whereby ETP has agreed to transfer the membership interests in ETC
Midcontinent Express Pipeline III, L.L.C. (ETC III) to ETE. ETC III owns a 49.9% membership
interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline, LLC (MEP), ETPs joint venture with Kinder Morgan
Energy Partners, L.P. that owns and operates the Midcontinent Express Pipeline. In exchange for
the membership interests in ETC III, ETP will receive and redeem 12,273,830 ETP common units
that are currently owned by ETE. The consideration payable under the Redemption Agreement is
subject to purchase price adjustment, payable in cash, based on changes in the working capital and
long-term debt levels of MEP from those as of January 1, 2010 and any capital expenditures made by
MEP after January 1, 2010.
The Redemption Agreement also provides ETE with an option to acquire (the Option) the
membership interests in ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline II, L.L.C. (ETC II). ETC II owns a
0.1% membership in MEP. The Option may not be exercised until one year and one day following the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Redemption
Agreement.
The Redemption Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and
covenants between the parties, which include ETP managing ETC III in a manner such that MEP will
operate its business in the ordinary course in all material respects until the closing of the
transaction. Closing of the transactions contemplated by the Redemption Agreement is expected to
occur within 30 days and is also conditioned on the consummation of the transaction contemplated by
the GP Purchase Agreement, receipt of certain amendments and/or waivers of certain provisions of
ETEs, ETPs and Regencys respective credit facilities, as well as certain other customary closing
conditions. In addition to customary termination provisions, ETE may terminate the Redemption
Agreement if the GP Purchase Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms.
A copy of
the Redemption Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2, which is incorporated by reference into
this Item 1.01. The foregoing summary of the Redemption Agreement does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 2.2 hereto.
Contribution Agreement
On May 10, 2010, ETE entered into a Contribution Agreement (the Contribution Agreement) with
Regency and Regency Midcontinent Express LLC. Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, immediately
following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Redemption Agreement, ETE will
contribute the membership interests in ETC III and assign its rights under the Option to Regency
Midcontinent Express LLC in exchange for 26,266,791 newly issued Regency common units. The consideration
payable
under the Contribution Agreement is subject to a purchase price adjustment consistent with
the purchase price adjustment under the Redemption Agreement.
The Contribution Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants
between the parties, which include Regency continuing to operate in the ordinary course in all
material respects until the closing of the transaction. Closing of the transactions contemplated
by the Contribution Agreement is expected to occur within 30 days and is conditioned on the receipt
of amendments and/or waivers of certain provisions of ETEs and ETPs respective credit facilities,
as well as certain other customary closing conditions. Any party may terminate the Contribution
Agreement if the Redemption Agreement has been terminated, and ETE may terminate the Contribution
Agreement if the GP Purchase Agreement has been terminated.
A copy of the Contribution Agreement
is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.3, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01. The
foregoing summary of the Contribution Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 2.3 hereto.
Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information included in Item 1.01 above under the heading General Partner Purchase
Agreement is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
The information included in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of the Exhibit |
Exhibit 2.1*
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General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by
and among Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., Energy Transfer
Equity, L.P. and ETE GP Acquirer LLC. |
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Exhibit 2.2*
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Redemption and Exchange Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by
and among Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and Energy
Transfer Equity, L.P. |
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Exhibit 2.3*
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Contribution Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Regency Energy Partners LP
and Regency Midcontinent Express LLC. |
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Pursuant to the rules of the Commission, the remaining schedules and similar attachments to
the agreement have not been filed herewith. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy
of any omitted schedule to the Commission upon request. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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Date: May 13, 2010 |
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
By: LE GP, LLC
its general partner
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/s/ John W. McReynolds
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John W. McReynolds |
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of the Exhibit |
Exhibit 2.1*
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General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by
and among Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., Energy Transfer
Equity, L.P. and ETE GP Acquirer LLC. |
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Exhibit 2.2*
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Redemption and Exchange Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by
and among Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and Energy
Transfer Equity, L.P. |
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Exhibit 2.3*
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Contribution Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Regency Energy Partners LP
and Regency Midcontinent Express LLC. |
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Pursuant to the rules of the Commission, the remaining schedules and similar attachments to
the agreement have not been filed herewith. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy
of any omitted schedule to the Commission upon request. |
exv2w1
Exhibit 2.1
Execution
Version
GENERAL PARTNER PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
REGENCY GP ACQUIRER, L.P.
AND
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
AND
ETE GP ACQUIRER LLC
May 10, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I |
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DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS |
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1.1 Definitions |
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1.2 Interpretations |
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2 |
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ARTICLE II |
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ACQUISITION OF THE ACQUIRED GP INTERESTS; CLOSING |
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2.1 Acquisition of the Acquired GP Interests |
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2.2 Time and Place of Closing |
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2.3 Deliveries and Actions at Closing |
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2.4 Pro Ration of Closing Quarterly Distribution |
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4 |
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ARTICLE III |
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER |
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3.1 Organization; Qualification |
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3.2 Authority; Enforceability |
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3.3 Non-Contravention |
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3.4 Governmental Approvals |
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3.5 Capitalization |
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3.6 Ownership of Acquired GP Interests |
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3.7 Compliance with Law |
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3.8 Title to Properties and Assets |
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3.9 Rights-of-Way |
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3.10 Regency SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Operating Surplus |
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8 |
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3.11 Absence of Certain Changes |
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9 |
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3.12 Environmental Matters |
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3.13 Material Contracts |
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10 |
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3.14 Legal Proceedings |
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11 |
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3.15 Permits |
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12 |
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3.16 Taxes |
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12 |
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3.17 Employee Benefits; Employment and Labor Matters |
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13 |
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3.18 Brokers Fee |
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15 |
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3.19 Regulatory Matters; Compliance |
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3.20 Intellectual Property |
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3.21 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Convertible Preferred Units |
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16 |
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ARTICLE IV |
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER PARTIES |
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4.1 Organization; Qualification |
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4.2 Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance |
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4.3 Non-Contravention |
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4.4 Governmental Approvals |
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18 |
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Table of Contents
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4.5 Capitalization |
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18 |
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4.6 Compliance with Law |
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4.7 Title to Properties and Assets |
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4.8 Rights-of-Way |
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4.9 ETE SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Operating Surplus |
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4.10 Absence of Certain Changes |
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4.11 Environmental Matters |
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4.12 Legal Proceedings |
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4.13 Permits |
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4.14 Taxes |
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4.15 Employee Benefits; Employment and Labor Matters |
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4.16 Brokers Fee |
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4.17 Regulatory Matters; Compliance |
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4.18 Intellectual Property |
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4.19 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired GP Interests |
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ARTICLE V |
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COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES |
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5.1 Conduct of Business |
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5.2 Notice of Certain Events |
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5.3 Access to Information |
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5.4 Governmental Approvals |
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5.5 Expenses |
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5.6 Further Assurances |
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5.7 Public Statements |
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5.8 Convertible Preferred Units |
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5.9 No Solicitation |
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5.10 Confidential Information |
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5.11 No Hire |
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5.12 Tax Matters |
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5.13 Books and Records; Financial Statements; Litigation Support |
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5.14 Commitment Regarding Indemnification Provisions; D&O Insurance Continuation |
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5.15 GECC Names and Marks |
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ARTICLE VI |
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CONDITIONS TO CLOSING |
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6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party |
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6.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Buyer Parties |
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6.3 Conditions to Obligations of Seller |
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ARTICLE VII |
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TERMINATION RIGHTS |
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7.1 Termination Rights |
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Table of Contents
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7.2 Effect of Termination |
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ARTICLE VIII |
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INDEMNIFICATION |
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8.1 Indemnification by Seller |
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8.2 Indemnification by the Buyer Parties |
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8.3 Limitations and Other Indemnity Claim Matters |
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8.4 Indemnification Procedures |
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8.5 No Reliance |
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ARTICLE IX |
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GOVERNING LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
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9.1 Governing Law |
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9.2 Consent to Jurisdiction |
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9.3 Waiver of Jury Trial |
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ARTICLE X |
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GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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10.1 Amendment and Modification |
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10.2 Waiver of Compliance; Consents |
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10.3 Notices |
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10.4 Assignment |
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10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries |
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10.6 Entire Agreement |
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10.7 Severability |
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10.8 Representation by Counsel |
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10.9 Disclosure Schedules |
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10.10 Facsimiles; Counterparts |
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iii
Exhibits
Exhibit ADefinitions
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Schedules |
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Schedule 2.3(a)(iv)
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Required Consents (Seller Parties) |
Schedule 2.3(a)(v)
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Amendments to Regency Credit Agreement |
Schedule 2.3(b)(v)
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Required Consents (Buyer Parties) |
Schedule 3.3
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Non-Contravention (Seller Parties) |
Schedule 3.4
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Governmental Approvals |
Schedule 3.5(a)
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Capitalization |
Schedule 3.11
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Absence of Certain Changes |
Schedule 3.12
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Environmental Matters |
Schedule 3.13
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Material Contracts |
Schedule 3.14
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Legal Proceedings |
Schedule 3.17
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Employee Matters |
Schedule 3.19
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Regulatory Status |
Schedule 4.3
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Non-Contravention (Buyer Parties) |
Schedule 4.4
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Governmental Approvals |
Schedule 4.5
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Employee Benefit Plan |
Schedule 4.10
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Absence of Certain Changes |
Schedule 4.11
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Environmental Matters |
Schedule 4.12
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Legal Proceedings |
Schedule 4.15(b)
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Employee Matters |
Schedule 5.1
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Conduct of Regency Entities Business |
Schedule 5.11
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No Hire |
Schedule 5.14
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Continuing D&O Insurance Policies |
Schedule 6.1(a)
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Approvals |
Schedule 6.1(c)
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Required Consents |
Schedule 6.2(d)
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Amendment to Regency Credit Agreement |
Schedule 6.2(e)
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Amendment to ETE Credit Agreement |
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Annexes |
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Annex A
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Form of Amendment No. 3 to the ETE Partnership Agreement |
Annex B
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Form of Assignment of Interests |
Annex C
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Form of Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. |
Annex D
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement |
Annex E
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Government Policies |
GENERAL PARTNER PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This GENERAL PARTNER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of May 10, 2010 (the
Execution Date), is made and entered into by and among Regency GP Acquirer LP, a Delaware limited
partnership (Seller), Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. a Delaware limited partnership (ETE) and ETE
GP Acquirer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Buyer).
ETE and Buyer are sometimes referred to individually in this Agreement as a Buyer Party and
are sometimes collectively referred to in this Agreement as the Buyer Parties.
Each of the parties to this Agreement is sometimes referred to individually in this Agreement
as a Party and all of the parties to this Agreement are sometimes collectively referred to in
this Agreement as the Parties.
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, Seller owns the following interests (collectively, the Acquired GP Interests): (i)
100% of the membership interests in Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(RGPLLC); and (ii) the 99.999% limited partner interest in Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited
partnership (RGPLP);
WHEREAS, RGPLLC owns a 0.001% general partner interest in RGPLP;
WHEREAS, RGPLP owns a 2.0% general partner interest in Regency Energy Partners, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership (Regency), and is the sole general partner of Regency;
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Redemption and Exchange Agreement dated as of the date
hereof (the ETP Redemption Agreement), by and between ETE and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership (ETP), subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, ETP
has agreed to redeem (the Redemption and Exchange) certain limited partner interests of ETP held
by ETE in exchange for (a) all of the outstanding membership interests in ETC Midcontinent Express
Pipeline III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (ETC III) and (b) an option to acquire
all of the outstanding membership interests in ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline II, L.L.C., a
Delaware limited liability company (ETC II);
WHEREAS, at the Closing, ETE, ETP and Regency intend to enter into a Master Services Agreement
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit H to the Contribution Agreement (as
defined below) (the Master Services Agreement);
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Contribution Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the MEP
Contribution Agreement), by and among ETE, Regency and Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, subject
to the terms and conditions contained therein, ETE has agreed, in exchange for limited partner
interests in Regency, to (a) contribute ETC III to Regency and (b) assign Regency an option to
acquire ETC II (the MEP Contribution); and
WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to the Buyer Parties, and the Buyer Parties desire to purchase
from Seller, the Acquired GP Interests, and in exchange ETE desires to issue and sell to
1
Seller 3,000,000 convertible preferred units of ETE (the Convertible Preferred Units),
having the terms set forth in Amendment No. 3 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of
Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (the Third Amendment) a form of which is
attached hereto as Annex A, all on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined in the body of this
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Exhibit A. Capitalized terms defined
in the body of this Agreement are listed in Exhibit A with reference to the location of the
definitions of such terms in the body of this Agreement.
1.2 Interpretations. In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (a) the
singular includes the plural and vice versa; (b) reference to a Person includes such Persons
successors and assigns but, in the case of a Party, only if such successors and assigns are
permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such
Person in any other capacity; (c) reference to any gender includes each other gender; (d)
references to any Exhibit, Schedule, Section, Article, Annex, subsection and other subdivision
refer to the corresponding Exhibits, Schedules, Sections, Articles, Annexes, subsections and other
subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise; (e) references in any Section
or Article or definition to any clause means such clause of such Section, Article or definition;
(f) hereunder, hereof, hereto and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as
a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (g) the word or is not exclusive,
and the word including (in its various forms) means including without limitation; (h) each
accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning commonly applied to it in
accordance with GAAP; (i) references to days are to calendar days; and (j) all references to
money refer to the lawful currency of the United States. The Table of Contents and the Article and
Section titles and headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and
are not intended to be a part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
ACQUISITION OF THE ACQUIRED GP INTERESTS; CLOSING
2.1 Acquisition of the Acquired GP Interests. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction
or due waiver of the conditions contained in this Agreement, Seller shall sell, transfer and
deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase from Seller the Acquired GP Interests. In exchange for
the Acquired GP Interests, at the Closing, ETE shall issue and deliver to Seller the Convertible
Preferred Units.
2.2 Time and Place of Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(the Closing) will take place at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin Street, Suite
2500, Houston, Texas 77002 on the second Business Day after all of the conditions set forth in
Article VI (other than those conditions which by their terms are only capable of being
satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or due waiver of those conditions) have
been satisfied or waived by the Party or Parties entitled to waive such conditions, unless another
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time, date and place are agreed to in writing by the Parties. The date of the Closing is
referred to in this Agreement as the Closing Date. The Closing will be deemed effective as of
12:01 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the Closing Date.
2.3 Deliveries and Actions at Closing.
(a) At the Closing, Seller shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, the following to the
Buyer Parties:
(i) Assignment of Interests. A counterpart of an assignment (the Assignment
of Interests), a form of which is attached hereto as Annex B, evidencing the
contribution, assignment, transfer and delivery to Buyer of the Acquired GP Interests, duly
executed by Seller;
(ii) FIRPTA Certificate. A certificate of Seller in the form specified in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b)(2)(iv) that Seller is not a foreign person within
the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code, duly executed by Seller;
(iii) Closing Certificate. The certificate contemplated by Section
6.2(c);
(iv) Required Consents. The consents, approvals and waivers set forth on
Schedule 2.3(a)(iv);
(v) Amendment to Regency Credit Agreement. A duly executed amended Regency
Credit Agreement, which address the matters set forth on Schedule 2.3(a)(v); and
(vi) Registration Rights Agreement. A counterpart of a registration rights
agreement, a form of which attached hereto as Annex D (the Registration Rights
Agreement) duly executed by Seller.
(b) At the Closing, the Buyer Parties shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, the
following to Seller:
(i) Preferred Unit Certificate. Original unit certificates representing the
Convertible Preferred Units;
(ii) Assignment of Interests. A counterpart of the Assignment of Interests
duly executed by Buyer;
(iii) Third Amendment. A copy of the Third Amendment duly executed by the
general partner of ETE, as general partner of ETE and as attorney-in-fact for all limited
partners pursuant to the powers of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6 of the ETE
Partnership Agreement, a form of which is attached hereto as Annex A;
(iv) Closing Certificate. The certificate contemplated by Section
6.3(c);
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(v) Required Consents. The consents, approvals and waivers set forth on
Schedule 2.3(b)(v);
(vi) MEP Contribution. A duly executed copy of the MEP Contribution Agreement;
(vii) ETP Redemption Agreement. A duly executed copy of the ETP Redemption
Agreement;
(viii) Legal Opinion. An opinion from Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to Buyer
Parties, dated as of the Closing Date and reasonably satisfactory to Seller, a form of which
is attached hereto as Annex C;
(ix) Registration Rights Agreement. A counterpart of the Registration Rights
Agreement, duly executed by ETE; and
(x) Governance Policies. A copy of the Governance Policies adopted by the
general partner of ETE, a form of which is attached hereto as Annex E.
2.4 Pro Ration of Closing Quarterly Distribution.
(a) Within three (3) Business Days after Buyer receives its regular quarterly cash
distribution in respect of the quarter in which the Closing occurs, Buyer shall pay to Seller an
amount in cash equal to the Pro Rata Distribution Amount. The Pro Rata Distribution Amount shall
equal the product of (a) $1,574,073.87 multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days in the quarter preceding the date of the Closing Date, plus the Closing Date, and
the denominator of which is the number of days in such quarter.
(b) In the event that the Closing Date occurs on or before the record date relating to the
distribution for the quarter immediately prior to the quarter in which the Closing Date occurs (the
Preceding Quarter), in addition to any amounts to be paid by Buyer to Seller pursuant to
Section 2.4(a), Buyer shall pay to Seller 100% of the applicable cash distribution for the
Regency GP LP Interest for the Preceding Quarter. The payment shall be made no later than three
(3) Business Days following the receipt by Buyer of such distribution from Regency.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Seller hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer Parties as follows:
3.1 Organization; Qualification. Seller and each Regency Entity are entities duly formed,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and have all
requisite corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company power and authority to own,
lease and operate their properties and to carry on their business as it is now being conducted, and
are duly qualified, registered or licensed to do business as a foreign entity and are in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature
of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be
so duly qualified, registered or licensed and in good standing would not reasonably
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be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair Sellers
ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Seller has made available to the Buyer
Parties true and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Regency Entity, as in
effect on the Execution Date.
3.2 Authority; Enforceability.
(a) Seller has the requisite corporate, partnership or limited liability company power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement and the consummation by
Seller of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by
Seller, and no other corporate, partnership or limited liability company proceedings on the part of
Seller is necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller, and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the Buyer Parties, this Agreement constitutes the valid
and binding agreement of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, except as
such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally
and subject, as to enforceability, to legal principles of general applicability governing the
availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith
and fair dealing (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law) (collectively, Creditors Rights).
3.3 Non-Contravention. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3 of the Seller Disclosure
Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by Seller
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement does not and will not: (a) result in any breach
of any provision of the Organizational Documents of Seller or any Regency Entity; (b) constitute a
default (or an event that with notice or passage of time or both would give rise to a default)
under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration (with or
without the giving of notice, or the passage of time or both) under any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any Contract to which Seller or any Regency Entity is a party or by which any
property or asset of Seller or any Regency Entity is bound or affected; or (c) assuming compliance
with the matters referred to in Section 3.4, violate any Law to which Seller or any Regency
Entity is subject or by which any of Sellers or any Regency Entitys properties or assets is
bound; or (d) constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) an
event which would result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any asset of
any Regency Entity, except, in the cases of clauses (b), (c) and (d) for such defaults or rights of
termination, cancellation, amendment, acceleration, violations or Liens, as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair Sellers
ability to perform their obligations under this Agreement.
3.4 Governmental Approvals. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4 of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, or authorization,
5
consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by Seller
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than such declarations, filings,
registrations, notices, authorizations, consents or approvals which, if not obtained or made, would
not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially
delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair
Sellers ability to perform their obligations under this Agreement.
3.5 Capitalization.
(a) Schedule 3.5(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule sets forth a correct and
complete description of the following: (i) all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in
each of the Regency GP Entities; and (ii) the record owners of each of the outstanding equity
interests in each of the Regency GP Entities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5(a) of
the Seller Disclosure Schedule, there are no other outstanding equity interests of any Regency GP
Entity. All of the issued and outstanding equity interests in each of the Regency GP Entities have
been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and are nonassessable (except as such
nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303 and 17-607 of the Delaware LP Act or Section
18-607 of the Delaware LLC Act) and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights,
rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person. All of the issued and outstanding
equity interests in each of the Regency GP Entities are owned by the Persons set forth on
Schedule 3.5(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule named as owning such interests free and
clear of all Liens other than (A) transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities
laws and (B) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of the Regency GP
Entities.
(b) At the Closing, (i) the Acquired GP Interests will constitute 100% of the issued and
outstanding membership interests in RGPLLC and a 99.999% limited partner interest in RGPLP and (ii)
RGPLLC will own a 0.001% general partner interest in, and serve as the sole general partner of,
RGPLP.
(c) There are no preemptive rights or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion
rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements, arrangements,
calls, subscription agreements, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate any of the Regency
GP Entities to issue or sell any equity interests or any securities or obligations convertible or
exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person a right to subscribe for or acquire, any
equity interests in any of the Regency GP Entities, and no securities or obligations evidencing
such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding.
(d) No Regency GP Entity has outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the
holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having
the right to vote) with the holders of equity interests in any Regency GP Entity on any matter.
(e) RGPLP is the sole general partner of Regency with a 2.0% general partner interest in
Regency (the Regency GP Interest) and owns 100% of the Regency Incentive Distribution Rights
(collectively with the Regency GP Interest, the Regency GP LP Interests). The Regency GP LP
Interests are owned by RGPLP free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) transfer
6
restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws and (ii) any transfer restrictions
contained in the Regency Partnership Agreement.
(f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or
Section 3.5(e), no Regency GP Entity owns any equity interest in any other Person.
(g) As of the Execution Date: (i) 93,191,602 Regency Common Units were issued and outstanding,
(ii) 4,371,586 Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units of Regency (Regency Series A
Units), which Regency Series A Units are convertible into Regency Common Units at an initial
conversion price of $18.30 per unit, subject to adjustment, were issued and outstanding and (iii)
1,155,129 Regency Common Units were available for issuance under Regencys employee benefit plans,
of which 297,651 Regency Common Units were subject to issuance upon exercise of outstanding Regency
options, 267,135 Regency Common Units were subject to issuance upon the vesting of outstanding
phantom units and 355,609 Regency Common Units were subject to issuance upon the vesting of
outstanding un-vested restricted units.
(h) All of the limited partner interests in Regency are duly authorized and validly issued in
accordance with the Organizational Documents of Regency, and are fully paid (to the extent required
under the Organizational Documents of Regency) and nonassessable (except as nonassessability may be
affected by Sections 17-303 and 17-607 of the Delaware LP Act) and were not issued in violation of
any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.
(i) Except as set forth in the Organizational Documents of Regency and except as otherwise
provided in Section 3.5(g), there are no preemptive rights or other outstanding rights,
options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase
rights, agreements, arrangements, calls, subscription agreements, commitments or rights of any kind
that obligate any of the Regency Entities to issue or sell any equity interests of Regency or any
securities or obligations convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person
a right to subscribe for or acquire, any equity interests in Regency, and no securities or
obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding.
(j) Except for the Regency Series A Units, none of the Regency Entities has outstanding any
bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or
convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the holders of equity
interests in Regency on any matter.
3.6 Ownership of Acquired GP Interests.
(a) Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Seller will
assign, convey, transfer and deliver to Buyer good and valid title to the Acquired GP Interests
free and clear of all Liens other than (i) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state
securities laws, (ii) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of
Regency GP Acquirer and (iii) any Liens on the Acquired GP Interests as a result of actions by the
Buyer Parties.
7
(b) Seller is not a party to any agreements, arrangements or commitments obligating Seller to
grant, deliver or sell, or cause to be granted, delivered or sold, the Acquired GP Interests, by
sale, lease, license or otherwise, other than this Agreement.
(c) There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings to which Seller
is bound with respect to the voting of the Acquired GP Interests.
3.7 Compliance with Law. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents
filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any
disclosures included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), and except for Environmental Laws, Laws requiring the obtaining or maintenance
of a Permit, Tax matters, Laws relating to employee benefits, employment and labor matters, and
Laws relating to regulatory and compliance matters, which are the subject of Sections 3.12,
3.15, 3.16, 3.17, and 3.18, respectively, and except as to matters
that would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect, (a) each Regency
Entity is in compliance with all applicable Laws, (b) none of Seller, or, to the Knowledge of
Seller any Regency Entity, has received written notice of any violation of any applicable Law, and
(c) to the Knowledge of Seller, none of the Regency Entities is under investigation by any
Governmental Authority for potential non-compliance with any Law.
3.8 Title to Properties and Assets. To the Knowledge of Seller, except as to matters that
would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect, each Regency Entity has
title to or rights or interests in its real property and personal property, free and clear of all
Liens (subject to Permitted Liens), sufficient to allow it to conduct its business as currently
being conducted.
3.9 Rights-of-Way. To the Knowledge of Seller, except as to matters that would not reasonably
be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect, (a) each Regency Entity has such
Rights-of-Way from each Person as are necessary to use, own and operate each Regency Entitys
assets in the manner such assets are currently used, owned and operated by each Regency Entity, (b)
each Regency Entity has fulfilled and performed all of its obligations with respect to such
Rights-of-Way and (c) no event has occurred that allows, or after the giving of notice or the
passage of time, or both, would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any
impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Rights-of-Way.
3.10 Regency SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Operating Surplus.
(a) Regency has furnished or filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents (including exhibits and other information incorporated therein) required to be furnished
or filed by Regency with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since January 1, 2009 (such
documents being collectively referred to as the Regency SEC Documents).
(b) Each Regency SEC Document (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects with
the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such Regency
8
SEC Document and (ii) did not at the time it was filed (or if amended or superseded by a
filing or amendment prior to the Execution Date, then at the time of such filing or amendment)
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
(c) Each of the financial statements of Regency or RGPLP included in the Regency SEC Documents
(Regency Financial Statements) complied at the time it was filed as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the
SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods presented thereby and fairly present in all material respects the
consolidated financial position and operating results, equity and cash flows of Regency as of, and
for the periods ended on, the respective dates thereof, subject, however, in the case of unaudited
financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and accruals and the absence of notes
and other textual disclosures as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC.
(d) To the Knowledge of Seller, none of the Regency Entities has any liability, whether
accrued, contingent, absolute or otherwise, except for (i) liabilities set forth on the
consolidated balance sheet of Regency dated as of March 31, 2010 or the notes thereto,
(ii) liabilities that have arisen since March 31, 2010 in the ordinary course of business, and
(iii) liabilities which would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect.
(e) The Regency GP Entities do not have assets or liabilities other than in connection with
their direct or indirect ownership of the 2.0% general partner interest in Regency and the Regency
Incentive Distribution Rights.
(f) Seller does not have assets or liabilities other than in connection with its ownership of
the Acquired GP Interests and the relationships of the parties under its partnership agreement with
respect thereto.
(g) All distributions made by Regency since its initial public offering have been made from
Operating Surplus (as defined in the Regency Partnership Agreement) and in accordance with the
terms of the Regency Partnership Agreement.
3.11 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC
Documents filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding
any disclosures included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), and except as set forth on Schedule 3.11 of the Seller Disclosure
Schedule or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 2009 (a) to the
Knowledge of Seller, the business of the Regency Entities has been conducted in the ordinary course
and in a manner consistent with past practice; and (b) there has not been (i) any event, occurrence
or development which has had, or would be reasonably expected to have, a Regency Material Adverse
Effect or (ii) to the Knowledge of Seller, the occurrence of any of the transactions or matters
described in Section 5.1(b).
9
3.12 Environmental Matters. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC
Documents filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding
any disclosures included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), and except for matters set forth on Schedule 3.12 of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule and except for matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency
Material Adverse Effect:
(a) each of the Regency Entities is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(b) each of the Regency Entities possesses all Permits required under Environmental Laws for
its operations as currently conducted and is in compliance with the terms of such Permits, and such
Permits are in full force and effect;
(c) none of the Regency Entities nor any of their properties or operations are subject to any
pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened Proceeding arising under any Environmental Law,
nor has any of the Regency Entities received any written and pending notice, order or complaint
from any Governmental Authority alleging a violation of or liability arising under any
Environmental Law; and
(d) to the Knowledge of Seller, there has been no Release of Hazardous Substances on, at,
under, to, or from any of the properties of the Regency Entities, or from or in connection with the
Regency Entities operations in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any
liability pursuant to any Environmental Law.
3.13 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or filed
with any Regency SEC Document (including incorporation by reference) filed with the SEC on or after
January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof, as of the Execution Date, to the Knowledge of Seller,
none of the Regency Entities is a party to or bound by any Contract that:
(i) is of a type that would be required to be included as an exhibit to a Registration
Statement on Form S-1 pursuant to Items 601(b)(2), (4), (9) or (10) of Regulation S-K of the
SEC if such a registration statement was filed by Regency on the Execution Date;
(ii) includes Seller or any Affiliate of Seller (other than Regency or its
Subsidiaries) as a counter party or third party beneficiary;
(iii) contains any provision or covenant which materially restricts any Regency Entity
or any Affiliate thereof from engaging in any lawful business activity or competing with any
Person;
(iv) (A) relates to the creation, incurrence, assumption, or guarantee of any
indebtedness for borrowed money by any Regency Entity or (B) creates a capitalized
10
lease obligation (except, in the cases of clauses (A) and (B), any such Contract with
an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $10,000,000);
(v) is in respect of the formation of any partnership or joint venture or otherwise
relates to the joint ownership or operation of the assets owned by any of the Regency
Entities involving assets or obligations in excess of $75,000,000;
(vi) includes the acquisition or sale of assets with a book value in excess of
$50,000,000 (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise);
(vii) any Contract or commitment that involves a sharing of profits, losses, costs or
liabilities by any Regency Entity with any other Person other than gas processing contracts;
or
(viii) otherwise involves the annual payment by or to any of the Regency Entities of
more than $10,000,000 and cannot be terminated by the Regency Entities on 90 days or less
notice without payment by the Regency Entities of any material penalty.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, each Contract
required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 3.13(a) and each Contract to which any of the
Regency Entities is bound as of the Execution Date that relates to (A) the purchase of materials,
supplies, goods, services or other assets, (B) the purchase, sale, transporting, treatment,
gathering, processing or storing of, or gas compression services rendered in connection with,
natural gas, condensate or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons or the products therefrom, or the
provision of services related thereto or (C) the construction of capital assets, in the cases of
clauses (A), (B) and (C) that (i) provides for either (1) annual payments by or to any of the
Regency Entities in excess of $10,000,000 or (2) aggregate payments by or to any of the Regency
Entities in excess of $10,000,000 (collectively, the Regency Material Contracts) has been made
available to the Buyer Parties and to the Knowledge of Seller is a valid and binding obligation of
the applicable Regency Entity, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with
its terms against such Regency Entity and, to the Knowledge of Seller, the other parties thereto,
except, in each case, as enforcement may be limited by Creditors Rights.
(c) To the Knowledge of Seller, none of the Regency Entities nor any other party to any
Regency Material Contract is in default or breach in any material respect under the terms of any
Regency Material Contract and no event has occurred that with the giving of notice or the passage
of time or both would constitute a breach or default in any material respect by such Regency Entity
or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other party to any Regency Material Contract, or would permit
termination, modification or acceleration under any Regency Material Contract.
3.14 Legal Proceedings. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents
filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any
disclosures included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), and other than with respect to Proceedings arising under Environmental Laws
which are the subject of Section 3.12 or as is set forth on Schedule 3.14 of
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Seller Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller,
threatened against the Regency Entities, except such Proceedings as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair Sellers
ability to perform their obligations under this Agreement.
3.15 Permits. To the Knowledge of Seller, other than with respect to Permits issued pursuant
to or required under Environmental Laws which are the subject of Section 3.12, the Regency
Entities have all Permits as are necessary to use, own and operate their assets in the manner such
assets are currently used, owned and operated by the Regency Entities, except where the failure to
have such Permits would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect.
3.16 Taxes.
(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to the Regency GP Entities or,
to the Knowledge of Seller, the other Regency Entities have been filed and all Tax Returns with
respect to the Regency GP Entities and, to the Knowledge of Seller, the other Regency Entities are
complete and correct in all material respects and all material Taxes due relating to the Regency GP
Entities and, to the Knowledge of Seller, the other Regency Entities have been paid in full.
Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16 of Seller Disclosure Schedule, there is no claim
(other than claims being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP) against any Regency GP Entity or, to the
Knowledge of Seller, any other Regency Entity for any material Taxes, and no material assessment,
deficiency, or adjustment has been asserted or proposed in writing with respect to any material
Taxes or material Tax Returns of or with respect to any Regency GP Entity or, to the Knowledge of
Seller, any other Regency Entity.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, no
material Tax audits or administrative or judicial proceedings are being conducted or are pending
with respect to any Regency GP Entity or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other Regency Entity.
(c) All material Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited by or with respect to
any Regency GP Entity or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other Regency Entity have been timely
withheld, collected or deposited as the case may be, and to the extent required, have been paid to
the relevant taxing authority.
(d) There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the applicable statutory periods
of limitation for any material Tax of, or any material Taxes associated with the ownership or
operation of the assets of, any Regency GP Entity or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other Regency
Entity.
(e) No Regency GP Entity nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other Regency Entity is a party
to any Tax sharing agreement.
(f) No Regency GP Entity nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other Regency Entity, has
engaged in a transaction that would be reportable by or with respect to any Regency Entity pursuant
to Treasury Regulation § 1.6011-4 or any predecessor thereto.
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(g) Immediately prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
each Regency GP Entity is an entity disregarded as separate from its owner for United States
federal income tax purposes and neither of the Regency GP Entities has elected to be treated as a
corporation for federal Tax purposes.
(h) Regency has not elected to be treated as a corporation for federal Tax purposes, and
Regency qualifies as a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the
Code and has met, and continues to meet, the gross income requirements (within the meaning of
Section 7704(c) of the Code) in each Tax year since its formation. Regency has filed a federal
income tax return that has in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code.
3.17 Employee Benefits; Employment and Labor Matters. To the Knowledge of Seller:
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or filed
with any Regency SEC Documents (including by incorporation by reference) filed with the SEC on or
after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof, no Regency Entity, nor any ERISA Affiliate of
any Regency Entity, sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has sponsored, maintained or
contributed to within six years prior to the Closing Date any of the following:
(i) any employee benefit plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA
(including, but not limited to, employee benefit plans, such as foreign plans, which are not
subject to the provisions of ERISA, but excluding any multiemployer plan within the meaning
of Section 3(37) of ERISA or multiple employer plan within the meaning of Section 4063(a) of
ERISA); or
(ii) any material personnel policy, equity-based plans (including, but not limited to,
stock option plans, stock purchase plans, stock appreciation rights and phantom stock
plans), collective bargaining agreement, bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award plan or
arrangement, vacation policy, severance pay plan or arrangements, change in control policies
or agreements, deferred compensation agreement or arrangement, executive compensation or
supplemental income arrangement, consulting agreement, employment agreement and each other
employee benefit plan, agreement, arrangement, program, practice or understanding which is
not described in Section 3.17(a)(i) (collectively, along with any plan described in
Section 3.17(a)(i) above, the Regency Benefit Plans).
(b) True and correct and complete copies of each of the Regency Benefit Plans, related trusts,
insurance or group annuity contracts and each other funding or financing arrangement relating to
any Plan, including all amendments thereto, have been made available to the Buyer Parties and there
has been made available to the Buyer Parties, with respect to each Regency Benefit Plan required to
file such report and description, the most recent report on Form 5500 and the summary plan
description. Additionally, the most recent determination letter or opinion letter from the Internal
Revenue Service for each of the Regency Benefit Plans intended to be qualified under Section 401 of
the Code, and any outstanding determination letter application for such plans has been furnished.
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(c) Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.17(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule and
except for matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect:
(i) each Regency Benefit Plan has been administered in compliance with its terms, the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws and the terms of all
applicable collective bargaining agreements;
(ii) there are no actions, suits or claims pending (other than routine claims for
benefits) or threatened, with respect to any Regency Benefit Plan and no Regency Benefit
Plan is under audit or is subject to an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the
Department of Labor or any other federal or state governmental agency nor is any such audit
or investigation pending;
(iii) no Regency Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA;
(iv) all contributions and payments required to be made by any Regency Entity or an
ERISA Affiliate of any Regency Entity to or under each Regency Benefit Plan have been timely
made;
(v) as to any Regency Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the
Code, there has been no termination or partial termination of such plan within the meaning
of Section 411(d)(3) of the Code; and
(vi) none of the Regency Entities or any of their ERISA Affiliates has any liability
with respect to any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or
multiple employer plan with the meaning of Section 4063(a) of ERISA.
(d) In connection with the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, no
payments have or will be made under the Regency Benefit Plans which, in the aggregate, would result
in imposition of the sanctions imposed under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.
(e) No Regency Benefits Plan provides retiree medical or retiree life insurance benefits to
any person and neither the Regency Entities nor any ERISA Affiliate of a Regency Entity is
contractually or otherwise obligated (whether or not in writing) to provide any person with life
insurance or medical benefits upon retirement or termination of employment, other than as required
by the provisions of Section 601 through 608 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code. Additionally,
each Regency Benefits Plan which is an employee welfare benefit plan, as such term is defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA, may be unilaterally amended or terminated in its entirety without liability
except as to benefits accrued thereunder prior to such amendment or termination.
(f) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect, (a)
each of the Regency Entities is in compliance with all applicable labor and employment Laws
including, without limitation, all Laws, rules, regulations, orders, rulings, decrees, judgments
and awards relating to employment discrimination, payment of wages, overtime compensation,
immigration, occupational health and safety, and wrongful discharge;
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(b) no action, suit, complaint, charge, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by
or before any Governmental Authority, brought by or on behalf of any employee, prospective or
former employee or labor organization or other representative of the employees or of any
prospective or former employees of any of the Regency Entities is pending or threatened against any
of the Regency Entities, any present or former director or employee (including with respect to
alleged sexual harassment, unfair labor practices or discrimination); (c) no grievance is pending
or threatened against any of the Regency Entities; and (d) none of the Regency Entities is subject
to or otherwise bound by, any material consent decree, order, or agreement with, any Governmental
Authority relating to employees or former employees of any of the Regency Entities. To the
Knowledge of Seller, none of the Regency Entities is a signatory party to or otherwise subject to
any collective bargaining agreements, and none of the employees of the Regency Entities is
represented by a labor union; and there is no labor dispute, strike, work stoppage or other labor
trouble (including any organizational drive) against any of the Regency Entities pending or
threatened.
3.18 Brokers Fee. Except for the fee payable to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated which
shall be paid by Seller, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is
entitled to any brokers, finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of Seller.
3.19 Regulatory Matters; Compliance.
(a) To the Knowledge of Seller, except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule, there are no currently effective tariffs authorized and approved by the FERC
as of the Execution Date applicable to the Regency Entities, or currently pending material rate
filings, certificate applications, or other filings that relate to any of the Regency Entities made
with FERC prior to the Execution Date.
(b) The Regency Entities (i) have all necessary approvals from FERC to provide service to
customers pursuant to the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended, and
(ii) have made all required FERC filings necessary to offer such service, except where the failure
to have any such approval or to have made any such filing would not reasonably be expected to have
a Regency Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Regency is not an investment company or a company controlled by an investment
company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
3.20 Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of Seller (a) the Regency Entities own or have
the right to use pursuant to license, sublicense, agreement or otherwise all material items of
Intellectual Property required in the operation of the business as presently conducted; (b) no
third party has asserted in writing delivered to the Regency Entities an unresolved claim that any
of the Regency Entities is infringing on the Intellectual Property of such third party and (c) no
third party is infringing on the Intellectual Property owned by the Regency Entities.
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3.21 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Convertible Preferred Units.
(a) Seller has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of their investment in the Convertible Preferred Units
and is capable of bearing the economic risk of such investment. Seller is an accredited investor
as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D (without regard to Rule 501(a)(4)) promulgated
under the Securities Act. Seller is acquiring the Convertible Preferred Units for investment for
its own account and not with a view toward or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof,
or with any present intention of distributing or selling the Convertible Preferred Units. Seller
is not a party to any Contract or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant
participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to the Convertible Preferred
Units. Seller acknowledges and understands that (i) the acquisition of the Convertible Preferred
Units has not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on an exemption therefrom and
(ii) that the Convertible Preferred Units will, upon their sale by Seller, be characterized as
restricted securities under state and federal securities laws. Seller agrees that the
Convertible Preferred Units may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated
or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act, and in compliance with other applicable state and federal securities laws.
(b) Seller has undertaken such investigation as they deemed necessary to enable them to make
an informed and intelligent decision with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the acquisition of the Convertible Preferred Units. Seller has had an
opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Buyer Parties regarding the terms and
conditions of the offering of the Convertible Preferred Units and the business, properties,
prospects, and financial condition of ETE. The foregoing, however, does not modify the
representations and warranties of the Buyer Parties in Article IV and such representations
and warranties constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Buyer
Parties to Seller in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER PARTIES
The Buyer Parties hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Seller as follows:
4.1 Organization; Qualification. Each of the Buyer Parties is an entity duly formed, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware and has all requisite
partnership or limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and are duly qualified,
registered or licensed to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business
conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so duly
qualified, registered or licensed and in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have an
ETE Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair the ability of the Buyer Parties to perform
their obligations under this Agreement. The Buyer Parties have made
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available to Seller true and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Buyer
Party, as in effect on the Execution Date.
4.2 Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance.
(a) Each Buyer Party has the requisite partnership or limited liability company power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The execution and delivery by the Buyer Parties of this Agreement and the
consummation by the Buyer Parties of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly
and validly authorized by the Buyer Parties, and no other partnership or limited liability company
proceedings on the part of the Buyer Parties are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Buyer Parties, and, assuming
the due authorization, execution and delivery by Seller, this Agreement constitutes the valid and
binding agreement of the Buyer Parties, enforceable against the Buyer Parties in accordance with
its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Creditors Rights.
(c) The issuance of the Convertible Preferred Units and the ETE Common Units issuable upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred Units have been duly authorized in accordance with the
Organizational Documents of ETE. The Convertible Preferred Units, when issued and delivered to
Seller in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the ETE Common Units issuable upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred Units, when issued upon conversion of the Convertible
Preferred Units, in each case will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the
ETE Partnership Agreement), nonassessable (except to the extent nonassessability may be affected by
Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act) and free of any restrictions upon voting
or transfer thereof pursuant to the Organizational Documents of ETE or any Contract to which any of
the ETE Entities is a party or by which any property or asset of any such Person is bound or
affected. Upon issuance and delivery of the Convertible Preferred Units, Seller will be duly
admitted to ETE as an additional limited partner.
4.3 Non-Contravention. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 of the Buyers Disclosure
Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the
Buyer Parties of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement does not and will not: (a) result
in any breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of the Buyer Parties; (b) constitute
a default (or an event that with notice or passage of time or both would give rise to a default)
under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration (with or
without the giving of notice, or the passage of time or both) under any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any Contract to which any of the ETE Entities is a party or by which any property or
asset of any ETE Entity is bound or affected; (c) assuming compliance with the matters referred to
in Section 4.4, violate any Law to which any ETE Entity is subject or by which any of the
ETE Entities properties or assets is bound or (d) constitute (with or without the giving of notice
or the passage of time or both) an event which would result in the creation of any Lien (other than
Permitted Liens) on any asset of any ETE Entity, except, in the cases of clauses (b), (c) and (d),
for such defaults or rights of termination, cancellation, amendment, acceleration, violations or
Liens as would not reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the
17
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair the Buyer Parties ability
to perform their obligations under this Agreement. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 of
the Buyers Disclosure Schedule, the ETE Entities are in material compliance with all Contracts
evidencing indebtedness, including the ETE Credit Agreement.
4.4 Governmental Approvals. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 of the Buyers
Disclosure Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, or authorization,
consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by the Buyer
Parties of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than such declarations, filings,
registrations, notices, authorizations, consents or approvals which, if not obtained or made, would
not reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair the
Buyer Parties ability to perform their obligations under this Agreement.
4.5 Capitalization.
(a) As of the Execution Date: (i) 222,941,172 ETE Common Units were issued and outstanding and
(ii) 3,000,000 ETE Common Units were reserved for issuance under ETEs employee benefit plans, of
which 0 ETE Common Units were subject to issuance upon exercise of outstanding ETE options and 0
ETE Common Units were subject to issuance upon the vesting of outstanding phantom units.
(b) All of the limited partner interests in ETE are duly authorized and validly issued in
accordance with the Organizational Documents of ETE, and are fully paid (to the extent required
under the Organizational Documents of ETE) and nonassessable (except as nonassessability may be
affected by Sections 17-303 and 17-607 of the Delaware LP Act) and were not issued in violation of
any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.
(c) Except as set forth in the Organizational Documents of ETE and except as otherwise
provided in Section 4.5(a), there are no preemptive rights or other outstanding rights,
options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase
rights, agreements, arrangements, calls, subscription agreements, commitments or rights of any kind
that obligate ETE to issue or sell any equity interests of ETE or any securities or obligations
convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person a right to subscribe for
or acquire, any equity interests in ETE, and no securities or obligations evidencing such rights
are authorized, issued or outstanding.
(d) ETE does not have any outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the
holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having
the right to vote) with the holders of equity interests in ETE on any matter.
(e) L.E. GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (LEGPLLC) is the sole general partner
of ETE with a 0.3% general partner interest in ETE (the LEGP Interest) as of the Execution Date.
The LEGP Interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the ETE
Partnership Agreement and has not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of
first refusal or other similar rights of any Person. The LEGP Interest
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is owned by LEGPLLC free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) transfer restrictions imposed
by federal and state securities laws and (ii) any transfer restrictions contained in the ETE
Partnership Agreement.
(f) As of the Execution Date, ETE owns 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests
in ETP GP LLC. Such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in
accordance with the Organizational Documents of ETP GP LLC and are fully paid (to the extent
required under the Organizational Documents of ETP GP LLC) and non-assessable (except as such
non-assessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 18-303 and 18-607 of the
Delaware LLC Act). ETE owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens other than (i)
Liens arising under the ETE Credit Agreement, (ii) transfer restrictions imposed by federal and
state securities laws and (iii) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents
of ETP GP LLC.
(g) As of the Execution Date, ETP GP LLC is the sole general partner of ETP GP LP, with a
0.01% general partner interest in ETP GP LP; (ii) such general partner interest has been duly
authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Documents of ETP GP LP; (iii)
ETP GP LLC owns such general partner interest free and clear of all Liens, other than (a) Liens
arising under the ETE Credit Agreement, (b) transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state
securities laws and (c) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of ETP
GP LP; (iv) ETE owns 100% of the Class A limited partner interests of ETP GP LP and 100% of the
Class B limited partner interests of ETP GP LP; (v) such limited partner interests have been duly
authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Documents of ETP GP LP and are
fully paid (to the extent required under the Organizational Documents of ETP GP LP) and
non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303 and 17-607 of
the Delaware LP Act); and (vi) ETE owns its limited partner interests in ETP GP LP free and clear
of all Liens other than (1) Liens arising under the ETE Credit Agreement, (2) transfer restrictions
imposed by federal and state securities laws and (3) any transfer restrictions contained in the
Organizational Documents of ETP GP LP.
(h) As of the Execution Date, ETP GP LP is the sole general partner of ETP with a 1.8% general
partner interest in ETP (the ETP GP Interest) and owns the ETP Incentive Distribution Rights
(collectively with the ETP GP Interest, the ETP GP LP Interests). The ETP GP LP Interests have
been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the ETP Partnership Agreement and have
not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar
rights of any Person. As of the Execution Date, the ETP GP LP Interests are owned by ETP GP LP
free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) Liens arising under the ETE Credit Agreement, (ii)
transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws and (iii) any transfer
restrictions contained in the ETP Partnership Agreement.
(i) As of the Execution Date, ETE owns 62,500,797 ETP Common Units, representing approximately
a 32.7% limited partner interest (collectively, the Owned Units), in each case free and clear of
all Liens, other than (i) Liens arising under the ETE Credit Agreement, (ii) transfer restrictions
imposed by federal and state securities laws and (iii) any transfer restrictions contained in the
ETP Partnership Agreement. All of the Owned Units have been duly authorized and validly issued in
accordance with the ETP Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the
ETP Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable
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(except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303 and 17-607 of the
Delaware LP Act).
4.6 Compliance with Law. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the ETE SEC Documents
filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any
disclosures included in any risk factor section of such ETE SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such ETE SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), and except for Environmental Laws, Laws requiring the obtaining or maintenance
of a Permit, Tax matters, Laws relating to employee benefits, employment and labor matters, and
Laws relating to regulatory compliance matters, which are the subject of Sections 4.11,
4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.17, respectively, and except as to matters
that would not reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect, (a) each ETE Entity
is in compliance with all applicable Laws, (b) none of the ETE Entities has received written notice
of any violation of any applicable Law and (c) to the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties, none of the
ETE Entities is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for potential non-compliance with
any Law.
4.7 Title to Properties and Assets. To the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties, except as to
matters that would not reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect, each ETE
Entity has title to or rights or interests in its real property and personal property free and
clear of all Liens (subject to Permitted Liens), sufficient to allow it to conduct its business as
currently being conducted.
4.8 Rights-of-Way. To the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties, except as to matters that would not
reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect, (a) each ETE Entity has such
Rights-of-Way from each Person as are necessary to use, own and operate each ETE Entitys assets in
the manner such assets are currently used, owned and operated by each ETE Entity, (b) each ETE
Entity has fulfilled and performed all of its obligations with respect to such Rights-of-Way and
(c) no event has occurred that allows, or after the giving of notice or the passage of time, or
both, would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the
rights of the holder of any such Rights-of-Way.
4.9 ETE SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Operating Surplus.
(a) ETE has furnished or filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents
(including exhibits and other information incorporated therein) required to be furnished or filed
by ETE with the SEC since January 1, 2009 (such documents being collectively referred to as the
ETE SEC Documents).
(b) Each ETE SEC Document (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such ETE SEC Document and (ii) did not
at the time it was filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing or amendment prior to the
Execution Date, then at the time of such filing or amendment) contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
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(c) Each of the financial statements of ETE or LEGPLLC included in the ETE SEC Documents (ETE
Financial Statements) complied at the time it was filed as to form in all material respects with
the applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto, has been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods presented thereby and fairly present in all material respects the
consolidated financial position and operating results, equity and cash flows of ETE as of, and for
the periods ended on, the respective dates thereof, subject, however, in the case of unaudited
financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and accruals and the absence of notes
and other textual disclosures as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC.
(d) To the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties, none of the ETE Entities has any liability, whether
accrued, contingent, absolute or otherwise, except for (i) liabilities set forth on the
consolidated balance sheet of ETE dated as of March 31, 2010 or the notes thereto, and
(ii) liabilities that have arisen since March 31, 2010 in the ordinary course of business.
(e) All distributions made by ETP since its initial public offering have been made from
Operating Surplus (as defined in the ETP Partnership Agreement) and in accordance with the terms
of the ETP Partnership Agreement.
(f) A true and correct copy of an ownership schedule setting forth the owners of record of the
membership interests in LEGPLLC has been provided to Seller.
4.10 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the ETE SEC
Documents filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding
any disclosures included in any risk factor section of such ETE SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such ETE SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 of the Buyers Disclosure Schedule
or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 2009, there has not been any
event, occurrence or development which has had, or would be reasonably expected to have, an ETE
Material Adverse Effect.
4.11 Environmental Matters. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the ETE SEC Documents
filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any
disclosures included in any risk factor section of such ETE SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such ETE SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), except as to matters set forth on Schedule 4.11 of the Buyers
Disclosure Schedule and except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have an ETE
Material Adverse Effect:
(a) each of the ETE Entities is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(b) each of the ETE Entities possesses all Permits required under Environmental Laws for their
operations as currently conducted and is in compliance with the terms of such Permits, and such
Permits are in full force and effect;
(c) none of the ETE Entities nor any of their properties or operations are subject to any
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties, threatened Proceeding arising under any
21
Environmental Law, nor has any of the ETE Entities received any written and pending notice,
order or complaint from any Governmental Authority alleging a violation of or liability arising
under any Environmental Law; and
(d) to the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties, there has been no Release of Hazardous Substances
on, at, under, to, or from any of the properties of the ETE Entities, or from or in connection with
the ETE Entities operations in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any
liability pursuant to any Environmental Law.
4.12 Legal Proceedings. Except as to specific matters disclosed in the ETE SEC Documents
filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any
disclosures included in any risk factor section of such ETE SEC Documents or any other
disclosures in such ETE SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward looking and
general in nature), and other than with respect to Proceedings arising under Environmental Laws
which are the subject of Section 4.11 or as is set forth on Schedule 4.12 of Buyers
Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties,
threatened against the ETE Entities, except such Proceedings as would not reasonably be expected to
have an ETE Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to materially impair the Buyer Parties ability to
perform their obligations under this Agreement.
4.13 Permits. To the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties, other than with respect to Permits
issued pursuant to or required under Environmental Laws which are the subject of Section
4.11, the ETE Entities have all Permits as are necessary to use, own and operate their assets
in the manner such assets are currently used, owned and operated by the ETE Entities, except where
the failure to have such Permits would not reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse
Effect.
4.14 Taxes.
(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to ETE and, to the Knowledge of
Buyer, the other ETE Entities have been filed and all the Tax Returns of ETE and, to the Knowledge
of Buyer, the other ETE Entities are complete and correct in all material respects and all material
Taxes due relating to ETE and, to the Knowledge of Buyer, the other ETE Entities have been paid in
full. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.14 of the Buyers Disclosure Schedule, there is no claim
(other than claims being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP) against ETE or, to the Knowledge of
Buyer, the other ETE Entities for any material Taxes, and no material assessment, deficiency, or
adjustment has been asserted, proposed in writing with respect to any material Taxes or material
Tax Returns of or with respect to ETE or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, the other ETE Entities.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14 of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule, no material Tax
audits or administrative or judicial proceedings are being conducted or are pending with respect to
ETE or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, the other ETE Entities.
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(c) All material Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited by or with respect to
ETE or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, the other ETE Entities have been timely withheld, collected or
deposited as the case may be, and to the extent required, have been paid to the relevant taxing
authority.
(d) There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the applicable statutory periods
of limitations for any material Tax of, or any material Taxes associated with the ownership or
operation of the assets of, ETE or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, any other ETE Entities.
(e) Neither ETE nor, to the Knowledge of Buyer, any other ETE Entities is a party to any Tax
sharing agreement.
(f) Neither ETE nor, to the Knowledge of Buyer, the other ETE Entities has engaged in a
transaction that would be reportable by or with respect to any ETE Entity pursuant to Treasury
Regulation § 1.6011-4 or any predecessor thereto.
(g) Neither ETE nor ETP has elected to be treated as a corporation for federal Tax purposes.
ETE and ETP each qualify as a publicly traded partnership within the meaning of Section 7704(b)
of the Code and each have met, and continue to meet, the gross income requirements (within the
meaning of Section 7704(c) of the Code) in each Tax year since its formation. Both of ETE and ETP
have filed a federal income tax return that has in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of
the Code.
4.15 Employee Benefits; Employment and Labor Matters. To the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties:
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15(a) of the Buyers Disclosure Schedule or filed
with any ETE SEC Documents (including by incorporation by reference) filed with the SEC on or after
January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof, no ETE Entity, nor any ERISA Affiliate of any ETE
Entity, sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has sponsored, maintained or contributed to
within six years prior to the Closing Date any of the following:
(i) any employee benefit plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA
(including, but not limited to, employee benefit plans, such as foreign plans, which are not
subject to the provisions of ERISA, but excluding any multiemployer plan within the meaning
of Section 3(37) of ERISA or multiple employer plan within the meaning of Section 4063(a) of
ERISA); or
(ii) any material personnel policy, equity-based plans (including, but not limited to,
stock option plans, stock purchase plans, stock appreciation rights and phantom stock
plans), collective bargaining agreement, bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award plan or
arrangement, vacation policy, severance pay plan or arrangements, change in control policies
or agreements, deferred compensation agreement or arrangement, executive compensation or
supplemental income arrangement, consulting agreement, employment agreement and each other
employee benefit plan, agreement, arrangement, program, practice or understanding which is
not described in
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Section 4.15(a)(i) (collectively, along with any plan described in Section
4.15(a)(i) above, the ETE Benefit Plans).
(b) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.15(b) of the Buyers Disclosure Schedule and
except for matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a ETE Material Adverse Effect;
(i) each ETE Benefit Plan has been administered in compliance with its terms, the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws and the terms of all
applicable collective bargaining agreements;
(ii) there are no actions, suits or claims pending (other than routine claims for
benefits) or threatened, with respect to any ETE Benefit Plan and no ETE Benefit Plan is
under audit or is subject to an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the
Department of Labor or any other federal or state governmental agency nor is any such audit
or investigation pending;
(iii) no ETE Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA;
(iv) all contributions and payments required to be made by any ETE Entity or an ERISA
Affiliate of any ETE Entity to or under each ETE Benefit Plan have been timely made;
(v) as to any ETE Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code,
there has been no termination or partial termination of such plan within the meaning of
Section 411(d)(3) of the Code;
(vi) none of the ETE Entities or any of their ERISA Affiliates have any liability with
respect to any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or multiple
employer plan with the meaning of Section 4063(a) of ERISA.
(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect, (a)
each of the ETE Entities is in compliance with all applicable labor and employment Laws including,
without limitation, all Laws, rules, regulations, orders, rulings, decrees, judgments and awards
relating to employment discrimination, payment of wages, overtime compensation, immigration,
occupational health and safety, and wrongful discharge; (b) no action, suit, complaint, charge,
arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority, brought
by or on behalf of any employee, prospective or former employee or labor organization or other
representative of the employees or of any prospective or former employees of any of the ETE
Entities is pending or threatened against any of the ETE Entities, any present or former director
or employee (including with respect to alleged sexual harassment, unfair labor practices or
discrimination); (c) no grievance is pending or threatened against any of the ETE Entities; and (d)
none of the ETE Entities is subject to or otherwise bound by, any material consent decree, order,
or agreement with, any Governmental Authority relating to employees or former employees of any of
the ETE Entities.
4.16 Brokers Fee. Except for the fee payable to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, which
shall be paid by the Buyer Parties, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person
is entitled to any brokers, finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission
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in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements
made by or on behalf of the Buyer Parties.
4.17 Regulatory Matters; Compliance.
(a) The ETE Entities (i) have all necessary approvals from FERC to provide service to
customers pursuant to the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended, and
(ii) have made all required FERC filings necessary to offer such service, except where the failure
to have any such approval or to have made any such filing would not reasonably be expected to have
an ETE Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither ETE nor ETP is an investment company or a company controlled by an investment
company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
4.18 Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of the Buyer Parties (a) the ETE Entities own or
have the right to use pursuant to license, sublicense, agreement or otherwise all material items of
Intellectual Property required in the operation of the business as presently conducted; (b) no
third party has asserted in writing delivered to the ETE Entities an unresolved claim that any of
the ETE Entities is infringing on the Intellectual Property of such third party; and (c) no third
party is infringing on the Intellectual Property owned by the ETE Entities.
4.19 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired GP Interests.
(a) The Buyer Parties have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so
as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of their investment in the Acquired GP
Interests and are capable of bearing the economic risk of such investment. The Buyer Parties are
accredited investors as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D (without regard to Rule
501(a)(4)) promulgated under the Securities Act. The Buyer Parties are acquiring the Acquired GP
Interests for investment for their own account and not with a view toward or for sale in connection
with any distribution thereof, or with any present intention of distributing or selling the
Acquired GP Interests. The Buyer Parties do not have any Contract or arrangement with any Person
to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to
the Acquired GP Interests. The Buyer Parties acknowledge and understand that (i) the acquisition
of the Acquired GP Interests has not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on an
exemption therefrom and (ii) that the Acquired GP Interests will, upon its sale by Seller, be
characterized as restricted securities under state and federal securities laws. The Buyer
Parties agree that the Acquired GP Interests may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, and in compliance with other applicable state and federal
securities laws.
(b) The Buyer Parties have undertaken such investigation as they have deemed necessary to
enable them to make an informed and intelligent decision with respect to the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the acquisition of the Acquired GP Interests. The Buyer
Parties have had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from
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Seller regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Acquired GP Interests and the
business, properties, prospects, and financial condition of Regency. The foregoing, however, does
not modify the representations and warranties of Seller in Article III and such
representations and warranties constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of
Seller to the Buyer Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
5.1 Conduct of Business.
(a) From the Execution Date through the Closing, except as described in Schedule 5.1
of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, and except as required by this Agreement or consented to or
approved in writing by the Buyer Parties (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or
delayed), Seller shall cause the Regency GP Entities to, and shall use reasonable best efforts to
cause each other Regency Entity to:
(i) conduct its business and activities in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;
(ii) use reasonable best efforts to preserve intact their goodwill and relationships
with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with them with respect
thereto;
(iii) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to them; and
(iv) use reasonable best efforts to maintain in full force without interruption its
present insurance policies or comparable insurance coverage of the Regency Entities.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 5.1(a), and, except as described in
Schedule 5.1(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, as required by this Agreement or
consented to or approved in writing by the Buyer Parties (which shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed), Seller shall cause the Regency GP Entities not to, and shall use
reasonable best efforts to cause each other Regency Entity not to:
(i) make any material change or amendment to its Organizational Documents;
(ii) purchase any securities or ownership interests of, or make any investment in any
Person, other than in respect of the Regency Entities (excluding the Regency GP Entities)
(A) ordinary course overnight investments consistent with the cash management policies of
such Person and (B) purchases and investments in addition to those contemplated by clause
(A) not in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate;
(iii) make any capital expenditure; provided that the Regency Entities (excluding the
Regency GP Entities) may make capital expenditures that are not in excess of $50,000,000 in
the aggregate or as required on an emergency basis or for the safety of individuals or the
environment;
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(iv) make any material change to its tax methods, principles or elections;
(v) except as required under its Organizational Documents, declare or pay any
distributions in respect of any of its equity securities or partnership units except (A) in
the case of Regency, the declaration and payment of regular quarterly cash distributions of
Available Cash from Operating Surplus (each as defined in the Regency Partnership Agreement)
not in excess of $0.46 per Regency Common Unit per quarter, plus any corresponding
distribution on the general partner interest and Regency Incentive Distribution Rights, (B)
in the case of Regency, regular quarterly distributions of Available Cash from Operating
Surplus, not in excess of $0.445 per quarter in respect of the Regency Series A Units and
(C) the declaration and payment of distributions from any direct or indirect wholly owned
Subsidiary of Regency;
(vi) split, combine or reclassify any of its equity securities or partnership units or
issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for, its equity securities or partnership units, except for any such
transaction by a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency that remains a direct
or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency after consummation of such transaction;
(vii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity securities or
partnership units or any securities convertible into or exercisable for any equity
securities or partnership units other than redemptions to satisfy federal income tax
withholding obligations (calculated using the applicable federal income tax rates) in
connection with the vesting of units under Regencys long-term incentive plan;
(viii) issue, deliver, sell, pledge or dispose of, or authorize the issuance, delivery,
sale, pledge or disposition of, any (A) equity securities or partnership units of any class,
(B) debt securities having the right to vote on any matters on which holders of capital
stock or members or partners of the same issuer may vote or (C) securities convertible into
or exercisable for, or any rights, warrants, calls or options to acquire, any such
securities, other than issuances (1) by a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of
Regency of equity securities or partnership units to such Persons parent or any other
direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency and (2) pursuant to awards outstanding
prior to the Execution Date under Regency Benefit Plans which are reflected on Schedule
3.17(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule;
(ix) purchase or sell assets (including any general partner or limited partner interest
or any other equity interests in any other Person) or waive any rights or benefits held by
either of the Regency GP Entities attributable to RGPLPs ownership of the general partner
interest in Regency and the Regency Incentive Distribution Rights, other than purchases or
sales of inventory in the ordinary course by any of the Regency Entities (excluding the
Regency GP Entities), with a value not exceeding $50,000,000 individually or $50,000,000 in
the aggregate;
(x) create, incur, guarantee or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money other than
borrowings by the Regency Entities (excluding the Regency GP Entities) of less than
$100,000,000 in the aggregate;
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(xi) enter into any joint venture or similar arrangement with a third party other than
joint ventures or similar arrangements entered into by any of the Regency Entities
(excluding the Regency GP Entities) in the ordinary course of business including assets or
obligations of less than $75,000,000;
(xii) (A) settle any claims, demands, lawsuits or state or federal regulatory
proceedings for damages to the extent such settlements assess damages in excess of
$10,000,000 in the aggregate (other than any claims, demands, lawsuits or proceedings to the
extent insured (net of deductibles), reserved against in the Regency Financial Statements or
covered by an indemnity obligation not subject to dispute or adjustment from a solvent
indemnitor) or (B) settle any claims, demands, lawsuits or state or federal regulatory
proceedings seeking an injunction or other equitable relief where such settlements would
have or would reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect;
(xiii) except as otherwise expressly permitted under this Section 5.1, merge
with or into, or consolidate with, any other Person or acquire all or substantially all of
the business or assets of any other Person;
(xiv) take any action with respect to or in contemplation of any liquidation,
dissolution, recapitalization, reorganization, or other winding up;
(xv) change or modify any accounting policies, except as required by applicable
regulatory authorities or independent accountants;
(xvi) approve or make material modifications of the salaries, bonuses or other
compensation (including incentive compensation) payable to any individual whose base salary
exceeds $200,000 per annum or adopt or make any material amendment to any employee
compensation, benefit or incentive plans;
(xvii) modify, make any material amendment to or voluntarily terminate, prior to the
expiration date thereof, any Regency Material Contracts or waive any default by, or release,
settle or compromise any claim against, any other party thereto; or
(xviii) agree, or commit to take any of the actions described above.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in Section 5.1 shall
prohibit Regency or any of its Subsidiaries from taking any action, or Seller from approving the
taking by Regency or any of its Subsidiaries of any action, in each case that would otherwise be
prohibited by this Section 5.1 without consent or approval of the Buyer Parties, if, prior
to taking such action, or approving the taking of such action, Seller or Regency, as applicable,
determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to take such
action, or to approve the taking of such action, would be reasonably likely to be a breach of the
implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing owed to an unaffiliated third party and
imposed on Seller, Regency or such Subsidiary, as applicable, in its capacity as the general
partner of Regency and a party to the Regency Partnership Agreement or a partner in the RIGS JV and
a party to the RIGS JV Agreement under the Delaware Revised Uniform Partnership Act, as applicable.
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(c) From the Execution Date though the Closing, ETE shall not: (i) amend the ETP Redemption
Agreement in any manner that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect Sellers rights under
this Agreement or (ii) exercise its rights under Section 7.1(a) of the ETP Redemption Agreement to
terminate the ETP Redemption Agreement,
(d) From the Execution Date through the Closing, except as described in
Schedule 5.1(d) of the Buyers Disclosure Schedule, or consented to or approved in writing
by Seller (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Buyer Parties
shall not take any action that would require the consent of Seller pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(v) of the Third Amendment (which for purposes of this Section 5.1(d) shall be
deemed to be in full force and effect).
5.2 Notice of Certain Events.
(a) Subject to applicable Law, each Party shall promptly notify the other Parties of:
(i) any event, condition or development that has resulted in the inaccuracy or breach
of any representation or warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement made by
or to be complied with by such notifying Party at any time during the term hereof and that
would reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions set forth in Article
VI not to be satisfied and which notice shall identify the applicable representation or
warranty, covenant or agreement and disclosure schedule, if any, for which such breach or
inaccuracy relates; provided, however, that no such notification shall be deemed to cure any
such breach of or inaccuracy in such notifying Partys representations and warranties or
covenants and agreements or in the Seller Disclosure Schedule or the Buyers Disclosure
Schedule for any purpose under this Agreement and no such notification shall limit or
otherwise affect the remedies available to the other Parties;
(ii) any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of
such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement;
(iii) any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or
(iv) any Proceedings commenced that would be reasonably expected to prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
materially impair the notifying Partys ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
(b) Seller shall promptly notify the Buyer Parties of the occurrence of any of the events
described in Section 5.1(b) regardless of whether Seller used reasonable best efforts to
prevent the occurrence of such event.
5.3 Access to Information. From the Execution Date until the Closing Date, Seller on the one
hand, and Buyer Parties, on the other hand, will subject to compliance with Law governing the use
of such information, (a) give the other party and their counsel, financial
29
advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives (collectively, Representatives)
reasonable access to the offices, properties, books and records of the Regency Entities or ETE
Entities, as the case may be, and permit such party to make copies thereof, in each case during
normal business hours and (b) furnish such financial and operating data and other information
relating to the Regency Entities or ETE Entities, as the case may be, as such Persons may
reasonably request. For two (2) years after the Closing Date, Seller, its Affiliates and its
Representatives shall have reasonable access during normal business hours to the offices,
properties, books and records of the Buyer Entities with respect to information of the nature and
scope described on Schedule 5.3, and which the Buyer Parties acknowledge and agree Seller
may share with its Representatives; provided that Seller and its applicable Affiliates and
Representatives shall have entered into a confidentiality agreement relating to such information
reasonably acceptable to the Buyer Parties. Any investigation pursuant to this Section 5.3
shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere with the conduct of the business of any
Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Party shall be entitled to perform any intrusive or
subsurface investigation or other sampling of, on or under any of the properties of a Party without
the prior written consent of the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 5.3, no Party shall be required to grant access or furnish information to the
extent that such information is subject to an attorney/client or attorney work product privilege or
that such access or the furnishing of such information is prohibited by Law or an existing
Contract. To the extent practicable, such Party shall make reasonable and appropriate substitute
disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the restrictions of the preceding sentence
apply, including the execution of a joint defense agreement to allow the parties to exchange
information protected by the attorney client privilege or work product doctrine. To the fullest
extent permitted by Law, (1) no party nor any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates
shall be responsible or liable to another party for personal injuries sustained in connection with
the access provided pursuant to this Section 5.3 and (2) shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the visiting party for any losses suffered by any such Persons in connection with any
such personal injuries; provided such personal injuries are not caused by the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the hosting party. The Parties agree that they will not, and will cause
their Representatives not to, use any information obtained pursuant to this Section 5.3 for
any purpose unrelated to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.4 Governmental Approvals.
(a) The Parties will cooperate with each other and use reasonable best efforts to obtain from
any Governmental Authorities any consents, licenses, permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations or
orders required to be obtained and to make any filings with or notifications or submissions to any
Governmental Authority that are necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by
the Transaction Agreements and shall diligently and expeditiously prosecute, and shall cooperate
fully with each other in the prosecution of, such matters.
(b) The Parties agree to cooperate with each other and use reasonable best efforts to contest
and resist, any Proceeding, and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree,
judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) of any
Governmental Authority that is in effect and that restricts, prevents or prohibits the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements.
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5.5 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by Seller in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, and any documented, out-of-pocket expenses reasonably
incurred by the other Regency Entities (not to exceed $50,000), shall be paid by Seller, and all
costs and expenses incurred by the Buyer Parties or the ETE Entities in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby shall be paid by the Buyer Parties; provided,
however, that if any action at law or equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this
Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees and expenses in
addition to any other relief to which such Party may be entitled.
5.6 Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the
Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do,
or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law to consummate
the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, each Party will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain timely all authorizations,
consents and approvals of all third parties necessary in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements prior to the Closing. The Parties will
coordinate and cooperate with each other in exchanging such information and assistance as any of
the Parties hereto may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing.
5.7 Public Statements. The Parties shall consult with each other prior to issuing any public
announcement, statement or other disclosure with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated thereby and neither Seller nor its Affiliates, on one hand, nor the Buyer Parties and
their Affiliates, on the other hand, shall issue any such public announcement, statement or other
disclosure without having first notified Seller, on one hand, or the Buyer Parties on the other;
provided, however, that any of Seller and its Affiliates, on one hand, and any of the Buyer Parties
and their Affiliates, on the other hand, may make any public disclosure without first so consulting
with or notifying the other Party or Parties if such disclosing party believes that it is required
to do so by Law or by any stock exchange listing requirement or trading agreement concerning the
publicly traded securities of Seller or its Affiliates, on one hand, or the Buyer Parties or any of
their Affiliates, on the other hand.
5.8 Convertible Preferred Units. Seller agrees to the imprinting, so long as the restrictions
described in the legend are applicable, of the following legend on any certificates evidencing all
or any portion of the Convertible Preferred Units or any ETE Common Units issuable upon conversion
thereof:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE
SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT) AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE THIRD
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., AS AMENDED,
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. THAT THIS
SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD
(A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR
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RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE
THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A
CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT
NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). L.E. GP, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.,
MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF
COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY,
L.P. BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL
INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
5.9 No Solicitation.
(a) Neither Seller nor the Regency GP Entities or their respective officers, directors,
employees, stockholders, representatives, agents, or anyone acting on behalf of them, shall,
directly or indirectly, (i) encourage, solicit, engage in discussions or negotiations with, or
provide any information to, any Person (other than the Buyer Parties or their Representatives)
concerning any Competing Proposal, (ii) accept any offer or respond to any indications of interest
from any Person concerning any Competing Proposal, (iii) enter into an agreement, arrangement or
understanding with any Person other than the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates concerning any
Competing Proposal or (iv) make or authorize any statement, recommendation or solicitation in
support of or concerning or otherwise facilitate any purchase or sale of securities or similar
transaction involving any Competing Proposal; provided, however, that this Section 5.9
shall in no way prohibit the board of directors of RGPLLC, in its capacity as the general partner
of RGPLP, in its capacity as the general partner of Regency, from taking any action required by its
fiduciary duty.
(b) At every meeting of limited partners of Regency called with respect to any of the
following, and at every adjournment or postponement thereof, and on every action or approval by
written consent of limited partners of Regency with respect to any of the following, Seller shall
and shall cause the Regency GP Entities and any of its other Affiliates to vote:
(i) against approval of any proposal made in opposition to, or in competition with,
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, any proposal to remove RGPLP as the general partner of Regency; and
(ii) except as otherwise agreed to in writing in advance by the Buyer Parties, against
any Competing Proposal.
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(c) For purposes of this Agreement, Competing Proposal means any contract, proposal, offer
or indication of interest relating to any transaction or series of transactions involving: (i) any
merger, amalgamation, unit exchange, recapitalization, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of
any of the Regency Entities, (ii) any direct or indirect acquisition of beneficial ownership (as
defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by any Person or group of any equity interests
in any of the Regency GP Entities, (iii) any direct or indirect acquisition of beneficial ownership
(as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by any Person or group of all or any portion
of the general partner interest in Regency, (iv) any direct or indirect acquisition of beneficial
ownership (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by any Person or group of 15% or
more of the limited partner interests in Regency or any tender or exchange offer that if
consummated would result in any Person or group beneficially owning 15% or more of the limited
partner interests in Regency, (v) any direct or indirect acquisition (by asset purchase, unit
purchase, merger or otherwise) by any Person or group (as defined under Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act) of any business or material amount of assets of the Regency Entities (including
capital stock of or ownership interest in any Subsidiary of Regency or any of its Subsidiaries)
(other than sales of assets by the Regency Entities in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice) or (vi) any transaction that would compete with or serve to interfere with,
delay, discourage, adversely affect or inhibit the timely consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
5.10 Confidential Information.
(a) For a period of two (2) years after the Closing, Seller and its Affiliates shall not,
directly or indirectly, disclose to any Person any secret, confidential or proprietary business
information, data or material developed by, or on behalf of, any Regency Entity relating to the
business and operations of the Regency Entities, whether acquired prior to or after the Closing
Date, which has not been disclosed to the public.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller or its Affiliates may disclose any information
relating to the business and operations of the Regency Entities, if required by Law or applicable
stock exchange rule, or to such other Persons if, at the time such information is provided, such
Person is already in the possession of such information.
5.11 No Hire. Except for the individuals listed on Schedule 5.11, for a period of one
year from and after the Execution Date, neither Seller nor the Energy Financial Service business
unit of GECC shall solicit for employment or hire any executive officers or other management level
employees of any of the Regency Entities who were employed by the Regency Entities within six
months prior to the Closing Date. The restrictions in this Section 5.11 regarding the prohibition
on solicitations (as opposed to hires) shall not apply to any solicitation directed at the general
public.
5.12 Tax Matters.
(a) Post-Closing Tax Returns. Buyer shall cause the Regency Entities to prepare all
Tax Returns relating to the Regency Entities for periods beginning on or before the Closing Date
and ending after the Closing Date. With respect to any such Tax Returns for the Regency GP
Entities, Buyer shall determine (by an interim closing of the books as of the Closing Date except
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for ad valorem and property taxes owed or owing by the Regency GP Entities, which shall be
prorated on a daily basis) the Taxes that would have been due with respect to the period covered by
such Tax Return if such taxable period ended on and included the Closing Date (the Pre-Closing
Tax).
(i) Not later than 20 days prior to the due date of any estimated Tax payment relating
to any Pre-Closing Tax, Buyer shall deliver to Seller for its review a statement calculating
the excess, if any, of the Pre-Closing Tax included in such payment over the amount set up
as a liability for such Tax on the financial statements of Regency Entities. Buyer shall
make or cause to be made such changes in such statement as Seller may reasonably request,
which changes shall be subject to Buyers approval, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld. Thereafter, and not later than 5 days prior to the due date of such estimated Tax
payment, Seller shall pay to Buyer the amount of such excess.
(ii) Not later than 20 days prior to the due date of any Tax Return covering a
Pre-Closing Tax, Buyer shall deliver to Seller for its review a copy of such Tax Return and
a statement calculating the amount by which the Pre-Closing Tax reflected on such Tax Return
is greater than or less than the amount set up as a liability for such Tax on the financial
statements of Regency Entities and the amount of any payments paid by Seller to Buyer with
respect to estimated Tax payments of such Pre-Closing Tax pursuant to Section
5.12(a)(i), which amount of estimated Tax payments shall be treated as a credit against
Pre-Closing Tax owed to Buyer by Seller. Buyer shall make or cause to be made such changes
in such Tax Returns or such statement as Seller may reasonably request, which changes shall
be subject to Buyers approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Not later than 5
days prior to the due date of such Tax Return, Seller shall pay to Buyer (or Buyer pay to
Seller, if appropriate) the amount of such difference. Upon receipt thereof, Buyer shall
file or cause to be filed such Tax Return and shall pay all Taxes shown to be due thereon.
(b) Transfer Taxes. All excise, sales, use, transfer (including real property
transfer or gains), stamp, documentary, filing, recordation and other similar taxes, together with
any interest, additions or penalties with respect thereto and any interest in respect of such
additions or penalties, resulting directly from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(the Transfer Taxes), shall be borne 50% by Seller and 50% by the Buyer. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 5.12, any Tax Returns that must be filed in
connection with Transfer Taxes shall be prepared and filed when due by the party primarily or
customarily responsible under the applicable local law for filing such Tax Returns, and such party
will use reasonable best efforts to provide such Tax Returns to the other party at least ten days
prior to the due date for such Tax Returns. Upon the filing of Tax Returns in connection with
Transfer Taxes, the filing party shall provide the other party with evidence satisfactory to the
other party that such Transfer Taxes have been filed and paid.
(c) Cooperation on Tax Matters.
(i) Buyer and Seller Parties shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably
requested by the other Party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns and any audit,
litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes for taxable periods
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beginning on or before the Closing Date. Such cooperation shall include the retention
until the expiration of the relevant statute of limitations and (upon the other Partys
request) the provision of records and information in such Partys possession that are
reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and making employees
available on the basis of reasonable best efforts to provide additional information and
explanation of any material provided hereunder. Prior to the destruction or discarding of
any books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Regency Entities relating
to any taxable period beginning on or before the Closing Date, each Party shall give the
other Party reasonable written notice and, if the other Party so requests, shall itself
allow, or cause the Regency Entities to allow the other Party to take, possession of such
books and records. In connection with any audit, litigation or other proceeding with
respect to Taxes for taxable periods beginning on or before the Closing Date, Buyer and
Seller shall promptly notify each other upon receipt by such party of written notice of any
inquiries, claims, assessments, audits, or similar events. Buyer shall have sole control of
the conduct of all such audit, litigation or other proceedings with respect to Taxes for
periods beginning on or before the Closing Date, including any settlement or compromise
thereof, provided, however, Buyer shall keep Seller reasonably informed of the progress of
any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and shall not effect any such settlement or
compromise with respect to which Seller is liable without obtaining Sellers prior written
consent thereto, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(ii) Buyer and Seller Parties further agree, upon request, to use their reasonable best
efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Authority or any
other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be
imposed as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby or for any taxable period
beginning on or before the Closing Date.
5.13 Books and Records; Financial Statements; Litigation Support.
(a) Seller shall provide the Buyer Parties access to Sellers books and records relating to
the Regency Entities to the extent reasonably necessary to enable the Buyer Parties to prepare
financial statements of the Regency Entities and such other financial statement of the Buyer
Parties and their Affiliates in such forms and covering such periods as may be required by any
applicable securities laws to be filed with the SEC by ETE as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Seller shall use reasonable best efforts to cause their
independent accountants and the Regency Entities independent accountants to provide any consent
necessary to the filing of such financial statements with the SEC and to provide such customary
representation letters as are necessary in connection therewith.
(b) Seller hereby consents to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of the financial
statements of the Regency Entities in any registration statement, report or other filing of the
Buyer Parties or any of their Affiliates as to which the Buyer Parties or any of their Affiliates
reasonably determines that such financial statements are required to be included or incorporated by
reference to satisfy any rule or regulation of the SEC or to satisfy relevant disclosure
obligations under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Seller shall use reasonable best efforts
to cause the Audit Firm to consent to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of its audit
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opinion with respect to any of the financial statements of the Regency Parties in any such
registration statement, report or other filing of the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates, and Seller
shall cause representation letters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Audit
Firm, to be executed and delivered to the Audit Firm in connection with obtaining any such consent
from the Audit Firm.
(c) Seller shall cooperate with the Buyer Parties in connection with the preparation of any
pro forma financial statements of the Buyer Parties or any of their Affiliates that are derived in
part from the financial statements of Seller that Buyer or their Affiliates reasonably determines
are required to be included or incorporated by reference in any registration statement, report or
other filing of the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates to satisfy any rule or regulation of the SEC
or to satisfy relevant disclosure obligations under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
(d) Seller shall provide access to its books and records as may be reasonably necessary for
the Buyer Parties or any of their Affiliates, or any of their respective advisors or
representatives, to conduct customary due diligence with respect to the financial statements of
Seller in connection with any offering of securities by the Buyer Parties or any of their
Affiliates or to enable an accounting firm to prepare and deliver a customary comfort letter with
respect to financial information relating to Seller.
(e) In the event and for so long as any Party actively is contesting or defending against any
third-party Proceeding (other than any Proceedings in which the Buyer Parties or any of their
Affiliates and the Seller or any of its Affiliates are adverse parties) in connection with (i) the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) any fact, situation, circumstance, status,
condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act, or
transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving the Regency Entities, each of the other
Parties will cooperate with it and its counsel in the contest or defense, make available their
personnel, and provide such testimony and access to their books and records as shall be reasonably
requested and necessary in connection with the contest or defense, all at the sole cost and expense
of the contesting or defending Party; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.13(e) shall
limit in any respect any rights a Party may have with respect to discovery or the production of
documents or other information in connection with any such litigation..
5.14 Commitment Regarding Indemnification Provisions; D&O Insurance Continuation.
(a) Buyer Parties covenant and agree that during the period that commences on the Closing Date
and ends on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer Parties (i) shall not
cause any amendment, modification, waiver or termination to Section 7.7 or Section
7.8 of the Regency Partnership Agreement and (ii) shall not amend, modify, waive or terminate
Section 9.01 or Section 9.02 of the RGPLLC Agreement, the effect of which would be
to affect adversely the rights of any person serving as a member of the Board of Directors or
officer of RGPLLC existing as of the date of this Agreement under such provisions; provided,
however, that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to any such amendment, modification, waiver
or termination to the extent required to cause such provisions (or any portion thereof) to comply
with applicable law.
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(b) Buyer Parties covenant and agree that, during the period that commences on the Closing
Date and ends on the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Closing Date, with respect to any
person serving as a member of the Board of Directors or officer of RGPLLC as of the date of this
Agreement and any former member of the Board of Directors or officer of RGPLLC appointed by Seller,
Buyer Parties shall cause RGPLLC (i) to continue in effect the current director and officer
liability insurance policy or policies that RGPLLC has as of the date of this Agreement, as
reflected on Schedule 5.14 hereto, or (ii) upon the termination or cancellation of any such
policy or policies, (A) to provide director and officer liability insurance in substitution for, or
in replacement of, such cancelled or terminated policy or policies or (B) to provide a tail or
run-off policy, in each case so that any person serving as a member of the Board of Directors of
RGPLLC as of the date of this Agreement, any former member of the Board of Directors appointed by
Seller and any officer has coverage thereunder for acts, events, occurrences or omissions occurring
or arising at or prior to the Closing to the same extent (including, without limitation, policy
limits, exclusions and scope) as such person has coverage for such acts, events, occurrences or
omissions under the director and officer insurance policy maintained by RGPLLC as of the date of
this Agreement, as reflected on Schedule 5.14 hereto.
5.15 GECC Names and Marks. From and after the Closing Date, the Buyer Parties shall not use
any of the GECC Names and Marks.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The respective obligation of each Party to
consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of
the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part,
as to a Party by such Party (in such Partys sole discretion):
(a) Approvals. All authorizations, consents, orders or approvals of, or declarations
or filings with, or as set forth on Schedule 6.1(a) shall have been obtained or made.
(b) Governmental Restraints. No order, decree or injunction of any Governmental
Authority shall be in effect, and no Law shall have been enacted or adopted that enjoins, prohibits
or makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and no
Proceeding by any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be pending that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prohibit or delay the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Amendment to Regency Credit Agreement. The Regency Credit Agreement shall have
been amended in a form reasonably acceptable to the Buyer Parties to address the matters set forth
on Schedule 6.1(c).
(d) Amendment to ETE Credit Agreement. The ETE Credit Agreement shall have been
amended in a form reasonably acceptable to the Buyer Parties to address the matters set forth on
Schedule 6.1(d).
(e) Redemption and Exchange. All conditions to consummation of the Redemption and
Exchange shall have been satisfied or validly waived pursuant to the terms of the ETP
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Redemption Agreement and each of the parties thereto shall have executed and delivered to the
Parties a certificate stating that such parties thereto will consummate the Redemption and Exchange
Agreement immediately following the Closing.
(f) MEP Contribution. All conditions to consummation of the MEP Contribution shall
have been satisfied and validly waived pursuant to the terms of the MEP Contribution Agreement and
each of the parties thereto shall have executed and delivered to the Parties a certificate stating
that such parties thereto will consummate the MEP Contribution Agreement immediately following the
Closing.
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Buyer Parties. The obligation of the Buyer Parties to
consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of
the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part,
by the Buyer Parties (in the Buyer Parties sole discretion):
(a) Representations and Warranties of Seller. The representations and warranties of
Seller (i) in Article III (other than those contained in Sections 3.5 and
3.6) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date as if remade on the
Closing Date (except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which shall be
true and correct in all respects as of such specific date), with only such failures to be so true
and correct as had not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Regency Material
Adverse Effect and (ii) in Sections 3.5 and 3.6 shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the Closing Date as if remade on the Closing Date (except for
representations and warranties contained therein made as of a specific date, which shall be true
and correct in all material respects as of such specific date).
(b) Performance. Seller shall have performed and complied in all material respects
with all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
Seller on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Closing Certificate. The Buyer Parties shall have received a certificate, dated
as of the Closing Date, signed by a Responsible Officer of Seller certifying that, to the best of
such Responsible Officers knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and
6.2(b) have been satisfied.
(d) Closing Deliverables. Seller shall have delivered or caused to be delivered all
of the closing deliveries set forth in Section 2.3(a) and in the other documents
contemplated by this Agreement.
6.3 Conditions to Obligations of Seller. The obligation of Seller to consummate the Closing
is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following
conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part, by Seller (in
the Sellers sole discretion):
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Buyer Parties. The representations and
warranties of the Buyer Parties (i) in Article IV (other than those contained in
Section 4.5) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date as if remade
on the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which
shall be true and correct in all respects as of such specific date), with only such failures to be
so true and correct as had not
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had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, an ETE Material Adverse Effect and (ii) in
Sections 4.5 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as
if remade on the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties contained therein made as
of a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specific
date).
(b) Performance. The Buyer Parties shall have performed and complied in all material
respects with all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied
with by the Buyer Parties on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Closing Certificate. Seller shall have received a certificate, dated as of the
Closing Date, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Buyer Parties certifying that, to the best of
such Responsible Officers knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 6.3(a) and
6.3(b) have been satisfied.
(d) Closing Deliverables. The Buyer Parties shall have delivered or caused to be
delivered all of the closing deliveries set forth in Section 2.3(b) and in the other
documents contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION RIGHTS
7.1 Termination Rights. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing as
follows:
(a) By mutual written consent of the Parties;
(b) By either Seller or the Buyer Parties if any Governmental Authority of competent
jurisdiction shall have issued a final and non-appealable order, decree or judgment prohibiting the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) By either Seller or the Buyer Parties in the event that the Closing has not occurred on or
prior to June 9, 2010 (the Termination Date); provided, however, that (i) Seller may not
terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(c) if such failure of the Closing to
occur is due to the failure of Seller to perform and comply in all material respects with the
covenants and agreements to be performed or complied with by Seller and (ii) the Buyer Parties may
not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(c) if such failure of the Closing
to occur is due to the failure of either Buyer Party to perform and comply in all material respects
with the covenants and agreements to be performed or complied with by such Buyer Party;
(d) By the Buyer Parties if there shall have been a breach or inaccuracy of Sellers
representations and warranties in this Agreement or a failure by Seller to perform its covenants
and agreements in this Agreement, in any such case in a manner that would result in, if occurring
and continuing on the Closing Date, the failure of the conditions to the Closing set forth in
Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b), unless such failure is reasonably capable of
being cured, and Seller is using all reasonable efforts to cure such failure by the Termination
Date; provided, however, that the Buyer Parties may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 7.1(d) if (i) any of the Buyer Parties representations and warranties shall have
become and continue to be untrue in a manner that would cause the condition set forth in
Section 6.3(a) not to be satisfied
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or (ii) there has been, and continues to be, a failure by either Buyer Party to perform its
covenants and agreements in such a manner as would cause the condition set forth in Section
6.3(b) not to be satisfied;
(e) By Seller if there shall have been a breach or inaccuracy of the Buyer Parties
representations and warranties in this Agreement or a failure by either Buyer Party to perform its
covenants and agreements in this Agreement, in any such case in a manner that would result in, if
occurring and continuing on the Closing Date, the failure of the conditions to the Closing set
forth in Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b), unless such failure is reasonably
capable of being cured, and such Buyer Party is using all reasonable efforts to cure such failure
by the Termination Date; provided, however, that Seller may not terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 7.1(e) if (i) Sellers representations and warranties shall have become and
continue to be untrue in a manner that would cause the condition set forth in Section
6.2(a) not to be satisfied or (ii) there has been, and continues to be, a failure by Seller to
perform its covenants and agreements in such a manner as would cause the condition set forth in
Section 6.2(b) not to be satisfied; or
(f) By the Buyer Parties if either of the ETP Redemption Agreement or the MEP Contribution
Agreement has been terminated by the counterparty to such agreement pursuant to its terms.
7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1, all rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall
terminate, except for the provisions of this Section 7.2, Article IX and
Sections 5.5, 5.7, 10.1, 10.3, 10.6, 10.8 and
10.9, the last sentence of Section 5.3; provided, however, that no termination of
this Agreement shall relieve any Party from any liability for any willful and intentional breach of
this Agreement by such Party or for Fraud by such Party and all rights and remedies of a
non-breaching Party under this Agreement in the case of any such willful and intentional breach or
Fraud, at law and in equity, shall be preserved, including the right to recover reasonable
attorneys fees and expenses. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, pursuant to
Section 7.1, the Parties agree that for a period of one year from and after the Execution
Date, neither Seller, on the one hand, nor the Buyer Parties, on the other hand, shall solicit for
employment or hire any executive officers or other management level employees of the Regency
Entities, in the case of the Buyer Parties, and the Buyer Parties, in the case of Seller, who were
employed by such party within six months prior to the Execution Date. The restrictions in the
preceding sentence regarding the prohibition on solicitations (as opposed to hires) shall not apply
to any solicitation directed at the general public. Except to the extent otherwise provided in
this Section 7.2, the Parties agree that, if this Agreement is terminated, the Parties
shall have no liability to each other under or relating to this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Indemnification by Seller. Subject to the terms of this Article VIII, from and
after the Closing, Seller shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer Parties
and their respective partners, members, managers, directors, officers, employees, consultants and
permitted assigns (collectively, the Buyer Indemnitees), to the fullest extent permitted by Law,
from and against any losses (excluding any loss in the value of the Regency
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Common Units issued to ETE pursuant to the Contribution Agreement), claims, damages,
liabilities and costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses)
(collectively, Losses) incurred, arising out of or relating to:
(a) any breach of any of the representations or warranties (in each case, when made) of Seller
contained in Article III or of the certification of a Responsible Officer of Seller
delivered to the Buyer Parties pursuant to Section 6.2(c); and
(b) any breach of any of the covenants or agreements of Seller contained in this Agreement.
provided however; that any liability of Seller under this Section 8.1 shall be satisfied at
Sellers option from (i) cash on hand; or (ii) by a redemption of the Convertible Preferred Units
at a price based off the original issue price of the Convertible Preferred Units (subject to
adjustment from time to time for stock dividends, stock splits, combinations of units,
reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications or other similar events occurring after the
date hereof) plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared), in an amount equal to
such Losses.
8.2 Indemnification by the Buyer Parties. Subject to the terms of this Article VIII,
from and after the Closing, the Buyer Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold
harmless Seller and its directors, officers, employees, consultants and permitted assigns
(collectively, the Seller Indemnitees and, together with the Buyer Indemnitees, the
Indemnitees), to the fullest extent permitted by Law, from and against Losses incurred, arising
out of or relating to:
(a) any breach of any of the representations or warranties (in each case, when made) of the
Buyer Parties contained in this Agreement or of the certification of a Responsible Officer of the
Buyer Parties delivered to Seller pursuant to Section 6.3(c); and
(b) any breach of any of the covenants or agreements of the Buyer Parties contained in this
Agreement.
8.3 Limitations and Other Indemnity Claim Matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Article VIII or elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall apply to any
claim for monetary damages arising out of this Agreement or related to the transactions
contemplated hereby:
(a) De Minimis. No indemnifying party (an Indemnifying Party) will have any
liability under this Article VIII in respect of any individual claim involving Losses
arising under Section 8.1(a) or Section 8.2(a) to any single Buyer Indemnitee or
Seller Indemnitee, as applicable, of less than $125,000 (each, a De Minimis Claim).
Notwithstanding the forgoing, this Section 8.3(a) shall not apply to Losses arising from
any breach or inaccuracy of the representations or warranties set forth in Section 3.16 or
Section 4.14.
(b) Deductible.
(i) Seller will not have any liability under Section 8.1(a) until the Buyer
Indemnitees have suffered Losses in excess of in the aggregate $3,000,000 (the
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Deductible) arising from Claims under Section 8.1(a) that are not De Minimis
Claims, and then recoverable Losses claimed under Section 8.1(a) shall be limited to
those that exceed the Deductible. Notwithstanding the forgoing, this Section
8.3(b)(i) shall not apply to Losses arising from any breach or inaccuracy of the
representations or warranties set forth in Section 3.16.
(ii) The Buyer Parties will not have any liability under Section 8.2(a) until
the Seller Indemnitees have suffered Losses in excess of the Deductible arising from Claims
under Section 8.2(a) that are not De Minimis Claims, and then recoverable Losses
claimed under Section 8.2(a) shall be limited to those that exceed the Deductible.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, this Section 8.3(b)(ii) shall not apply to Losses
arising from any breach or inaccuracy of the representations or warranties set forth in
Section 4.14.
(c) Cap.
(i) Sellers aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby shall not exceed $45,000,000 (the Cap); provided that the limitation
set forth in this Section 8.3(c)(i) shall not apply to Losses arising out of or
relating to (A) any breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in
Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6 or 3.18 or (B)
any breach of any covenants or agreements of Seller set forth in this Agreement that by
their terms are to be performed after the Closing Date; provided, further, that in no event
shall Sellers aggregate liability arising under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby exceed $300,000,000.
(ii) The Buyer Parties aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the
transactions contemplated hereby shall not exceed the Cap; provided that the limitation set
forth in this Section 8.3(c)(ii) shall not apply to Losses arising out of or
relating to (A) any breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in
Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.16 or (B) any breach of any covenants or
agreements of the Buyer Parties set forth in this Agreement that by their terms are to be
performed after the Closing Date; provided, further, that in no event shall the Buyer
Parties aggregate liability arising under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby exceed $300,000,000.
(d) Survival; Claims Period.
(i) The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties under this
Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall continue in
full force and effect until the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date (the Expiration
Date); provided that (i) the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
3.1 (Organization; Qualification), 3.2 (Authority; Enforceability),
3.4 (Governmental Approvals), 3.5 (Capitalization), 3.6 (Ownership
of Acquired GP Interests), 3.18 (Brokers Fee), 3.22 (Matters Relating to
Acquisition of the Convertible Preferred Units), 4.1 (Organization; Qualification),
4.2 (Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance), 4.4 (Governmental
Approvals), 4.5 (Capitalization), 4.16 (Brokers Fee) and 4.19
(Matters Relating to Acquisition of Acquired GP Interests) shall survive indefinitely,
42
(ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.16 and
Section 4.14 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall
continue in full force and effect until ninety (90) days after the expiration of the
applicable statute of limitations (which shall be deemed to be the Expiration Date with
respect to such representations and warranties) and (iii) any covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement that by their terms are to be performed after the Closing Date
shall survive until fully discharged.
(ii) No action for a breach of any representation or warranty contained herein (other
than representations or warranties that survive indefinitely pursuant to
Section 8.3(d)(i)) shall be brought after the Expiration Date, except for claims of
which a Party has received a Claim Notice setting forth in reasonable detail the claimed
misrepresentation or breach of warranty with reasonable detail, prior to the Expiration
Date.
(e) Calculation of Losses. In calculating amounts payable to any Seller Indemnitee or Buyer
Indemnitee (each such person, an Indemnified Party) for a claim for indemnification hereunder,
the amount of any indemnified Losses shall be determined without duplication of any other Loss for
which an indemnification claim has been made or could be made under any other representation,
warranty, covenant, or agreement and shall be computed net of (i) payments actually recovered by
the Indemnified Party under any insurance policy with respect to such Losses and (ii) any prior or
subsequent actual recovery by the Indemnified Party from any Person with respect to such Losses.
(f) Waiver of Certain Damages. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
in no event shall any Party be liable for punitive, special, indirect, consequential, remote,
speculative or lost profits damages of any kind or nature, regardless of the form of action through
which such damages are sought, except for any such damages recovered by any third party against an
Indemnified Party in respect of which such Indemnified Party would otherwise be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to the terms hereof.
(g) Sole and Exclusive Remedy. Except for the assertion of any Claim based on fraud
with the intent to deceive or willful misconduct, the remedies provided in this Article
VIII shall be the sole and exclusive legal remedies of the Parties, from and after the Closing,
with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.4 Indemnification Procedures.
(a) Each Indemnitee agrees that promptly after it becomes aware of facts giving rise to a
claim by it for indemnification pursuant to this Article VIII, such Indemnitee must assert
its claim for indemnification under this Article VIII (each, a Claim) by providing a
written notice (a Claim Notice) to the Indemnifying Party allegedly required to provide
indemnification protection under this Article VIII specifying, in reasonable detail, the
nature and basis for such Claim (e.g., the underlying representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement alleged to have been breached) and the amount (to the extent that the nature and amount
of such Claim is known or reasonably ascertainable at such time, provided that such amount or
estimated amount shall not be conclusive of the final amount, if any, of such Claim).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnitees failure to send or delay in sending a third party
Claim Notice will not relieve the
43
Indemnifying Party from liability hereunder with respect to such Claim except to the extent
the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by such failure or delay and except as is otherwise provided
herein, including in Section 8.3(d).
(b) In the event of the assertion of any third party Claim for which, by the terms hereof, an
Indemnifying Party is obligated to indemnify an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party will have the
right, at such Indemnifying Partys expense, to assume the defense of same including the
appointment and selection of counsel on behalf of the Indemnitee so long as such counsel is
reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of
any such third party Claim, it shall within 30 days of its receipt of the Claim Notice, notify the
Indemnitee in writing of its intent to do so. The Indemnifying Party will have the right to settle
or compromise or take any corrective or remediation action with respect to any such Claim by all
appropriate proceedings, which proceedings will be diligently prosecuted by the Indemnifying Party
to a final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnitee will
be entitled, at its own cost, to participate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense of any such
Claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such third-party Claim but fails to
diligently prosecute such Claim, or if the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any
such Claim, the Indemnitee may assume control of such defense and in the event it is determined
pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article IX that the Claim was a matter for which
the Indemnifying Party is required to provide indemnification under the terms of this Article
VIII, the Indemnifying Party will bear the reasonable costs and expenses of such defense
(including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Indemnifying Party may not assume the defense of the third-party Claim (but will be entitled at its
own cost to participate with the Indemnified Party in the defense of any such Claim) if the
potential damages under the third-party Claim could reasonably and in good faith be expected to
exceed, in the aggregate when combined with all claims previously made by the Indemnified Party to
the Indemnifying Party under this Article VIII, the maximum amount the Indemnifying Party may be
liable pursuant to Section 8.3(c); provided, however, that to the extent the Parties are not in
agreement with respect to the calculation of potential damages, the Indemnifying Party shall have
the right to assume the defense of the third-party Claim in accordance herewith until the Parties
have agreed or a final non-appealable judgment has been entered into, with respect to the
determination of the potential damages.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party will
not be permitted to settle, compromise, take any corrective or remedial action or enter into an
agreed judgment or consent decree, in each case, that subjects the Indemnified Party to any
criminal liability, requires an admission of guilt or wrongdoing on the part of the Indemnified
Party or imposes any continuing obligation on or requires any payment from the Indemnified Party
without the Indemnified Partys prior written consent.
8.5 No Reliance.
(a) THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER CONTAINED IN ARTICLE III CONSTITUTE
THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER TO THE BUYER PARTIES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BUYER PARTIES
CONTAINED IN ARTICLE IV CONSTITUTE THE SOLE AND
44
EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER PARTIES TO SELLER IN CONNECTION WITH THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT FOR SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, NO
PARTY NOR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES ANY OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WITH
RESPECT TO SUCH PARTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH PARTY DISCLAIMS
ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER MADE BY SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES,
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO THE
DISTRIBUTION OF, OR ANY PERSONS RELIANCE ON, ANY INFORMATION, DISCLOSURE OR OTHER DOCUMENT OR
OTHER MATERIAL MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ANY PARTY IN ANY DATA ROOM, ELECTRONIC DATA ROOM, MANAGEMENT
PRESENTATION OR IN ANY OTHER FORM IN EXPECTATION OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT). EXCEPT FOR SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EACH PARTY
DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, PROJECTION, FORECAST,
STATEMENT, OR INFORMATION MADE, COMMUNICATED, OR FURNISHED (ORALLY OR IN WRITING) TO ANY OTHER
PARTY OR ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING
OPINION, INFORMATION, PROJECTION, OR ADVICE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE PROVIDED TO ANY PARTY OR
ANY OFFICER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE, AGENT OR REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES).
(b) Except as provided in Sections 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2, no Party nor any
Affiliate of a Party shall assert or threaten, and each Party hereby waives and shall cause such
Affiliates to waive, any claim or other method of recovery, in contract, in tort or under
applicable Law, against any Person that is not a Party (or a successor to a Party) relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
GOVERNING LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
9.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the
application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
9.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. The Parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
(a) the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (b) any state appellate court therefrom within the State of
Delaware (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a
particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware), for the purposes of
any Proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (and each
agrees that no such Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be brought by it except in such courts). The Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive
(and agree not to plead or claim) any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising
out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) the
45
Delaware Court of Chancery, or (ii) any state appellate court therefrom within the State of
Delaware (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a
particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware) or that any such
Proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the
Parties hereto also agrees that any final and non-appealable judgment against a Party hereto in
connection with any Proceeding shall be conclusive and binding on such Party and that such award or
judgment may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the
United States. A certified or exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive
evidence of the fact and amount of such award or judgment.
9.3 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR TO DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT
AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1 Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only
by written agreement of the Parties hereto.
10.2 Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any
failure of any of the Parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition in
this Agreement may be waived by the Party or Parties entitled to the benefits thereof only by a
written instrument signed by the Party or Parties granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure
to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not
operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.
10.3 Notices. Any notice, demand or communication required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be in writing and delivered personally, by reputable overnight delivery service or other
courier or by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to
have been duly given (a) as of the date of delivery if delivered personally or by overnight
delivery service or other courier or (b) on the date receipt is acknowledged if delivered by
certified mail, addressed as follows; provided that a notice of a change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof:
If to Seller to:
Regency GP Acquirer LP
c/o GE Energy Financial Services
800 Long Ridge Road
Stamford, Connecticut 06927
Telephone: (203) 316-7355
Facsimile: (203) 961-2606
Attention: Portfolio-Regency
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With a copy (not itself constituting notice) to:
Regency GP Acquirer LP
c/o GE Energy Financial Services
800 Long Ridge Road
Stamford, Connecticut 06927
Telephone: (203) 357-4151
Facsimile: (203) 357-6632
Attention: General Counsel
and
Latham & Watkins LLP
885 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: (212) 906-1259
Facsimile: (212) 751-4864
Attention: Charles E. Carpenter
If to the Buyer Parties to:
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
3738 Oak Lawn
Dallas, Texas 75219
Telephone: (832) 668-1210 or (214) 981-0763
Facsimile: (832) 668-1127
Attention: General Counsel
and
Vinson & Elkins LLP
2500 First City Tower
1001 Fannin, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77007
Telephone: (713) 758-3613
Facsimile: (713) 615-5725
Attention: Douglas E. McWilliams
10.4 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties
and their successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign or transfer this Agreement or any
of its rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of
the other Parties. Any attempted assignment or transfer in violation of this Agreement shall be
null, void and ineffective.
10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the
benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as
47
provided in Sections 8.1 and 8.2, none of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any third party, including any creditor of any Party
or any of their Affiliates. No such third party shall obtain any right under any provision of this
Agreement or shall by reasons of any such provision make any claim in respect of any liability (or
otherwise) against any other Party.
10.6 Entire Agreement. Except for the Confidentiality Agreement which shall survive the
execution of this Agreement, this Agreement and the other transaction documents constitute the
entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the Parties or
between any of them with respect to such subject matter.
10.7 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this
Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law but
if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in
such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction
as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been
contained herein.
10.8 Representation by Counsel. Each of the Parties agrees that it has been represented by
independent counsel of its choice during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the
documents referred to herein, and that it has executed the same upon the advice of such independent
counsel. Each Party and its counsel cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement
and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto shall be deemed the
work product of the Parties and may not be construed against any Party by reason of its
preparation. Therefore, the Parties waive the application of any Law providing that ambiguities in
an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or
document.
10.9 Disclosure Schedules. The inclusion of any information (including dollar amounts) in any
section of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or the Buyers Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed to
be an admission or acknowledgment by a Party that such information is required to be listed on such
section of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or the Buyers Disclosure Schedule or is material to or
outside the ordinary course of the business of such Party or the Person to which such disclosure
relates. The information contained in this Agreement, the Exhibits and the Schedules is disclosed
solely for purposes of this Agreement, and no information contained in this Agreement, the Exhibits
or the Schedules shall be deemed to be an admission by any Party to any third Person of any matter
whatsoever (including any violation of a legal requirement or breach of contract). The disclosure
contained in one disclosure schedule contained in the Seller Disclosure Schedule or Buyer
Disclosure Schedule may be incorporated by reference into any other disclosure schedule contained
therein, and shall be deemed to have been so incorporated into any other disclosure schedule so
long as it is readily apparent on its face that the disclosure is applicable to such other
disclosure schedule.
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10.10 Facsimiles; Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures by any
Party and such signature shall be deemed binding for all purposes hereof, without delivery of an
original signature being thereafter required. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which, when executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same document.
[Signature page follows.]
49
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed by its
respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
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REGENCY GP ACQUIRER LP
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By: |
REGENCY GP HOLDO
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I LLC, its general partner |
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By: |
AIRCRAFT SERVICES
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CORPORATION, its managing member |
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By: |
/s/ Mark Mellana
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Mark Mellana, |
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Authorized Signatory |
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
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LE GP, LLC, its general partner
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/s/ John W. McReynolds
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John W. McReynolds, |
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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ETE GP ACQUIRER LLC
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/s/ Martin Salinas, Jr.
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Martin Salinas, Jr., |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Signature Page to General Partner Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT A
Acquired GP Interests is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Affiliate means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified Person. A Person shall
be deemed to control another Person if such first Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the
power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of such other Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agreement is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Assignment of Interests is defined in Section 2.3(a)(i).
Audit Firm means the independent accounting firm regularly engaged by Seller to review their
quarterly financial statements and provide an audit report with respect to their annual financial
statements.
Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial
banks in the State of New York are authorized or obligated to be closed by applicable Laws.
Buyer is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Buyer Indemnities is defined in Section 8.1.
Buyer Parties is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Buyers Disclosure Schedule means the disclosure schedule to this Agreement prepared by the
Buyer Parties and delivered to Seller on the Execution Date.
Claim is defined in Section 8.4(a).
Claim Notice is defined in Section 8.4(a).
Closing is defined in Section 2.2.
Closing Date is defined in Section 2.2.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Competing Proposal is defined in Section 5.9(c).
Confidentiality Agreement means that certain Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement,
dated as of February 8, 2010, by and among ETE, ETP and GE Energy Financial Services, Inc.
Contract means any written agreement, lease, license, note, evidence of indebtedness,
mortgage, security agreement, understanding, instrument or other legally binding arrangement.
A-1
Control means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether through ownership of Voting Interests, by contract or otherwise, and the terms
Controlling and Controlled have correlative meanings.
Convertible Preferred Units is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Creditors Rights is defined in Section 3.2(b).
De Minimis Claim is defined in Section 8.3(a).
Deductible is defined in Section 8.3(b)(i).
Delaware LLC Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to
time.
Delaware LP Act means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from
time to time.
Environmental Laws means any and all Laws pertaining to prevention of pollution, protection
of the environment (including natural resources), remediation of contamination and workplace health
and safety.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity,
trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b),(c), (m) or (o) of the
Code or Section 4001(b)(l) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a
member of the same controlled group as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA.
ETC II is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC III is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETE is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
ETE Benefit Plans is defined in Section 4.15.
ETE Common Units means a common unit representing a limited partner interest in ETE.
ETE Credit Agreement means that certain Credit Agreement dated February 8, 2006 between ETE
and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent as amended from time to time.
ETE Entities means ETE and all Subsidiaries of ETE.
ETE Financial Statements are defined in Section 4.9(c).
A-2
ETE Material Adverse Effect means any Material Adverse Effect in respect to the ETE Entities
taken as a whole.
ETE Partnership Agreement means the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., as amended from time to time.
ETE SEC Documents is defined in Section 4.9(a).
ETP is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETP Common Units means a common unit representing a limited partner interest in ETP.
ETP GP Interest is defined in Section 4.5(h).
ETP GP LLC means Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.
ETP GP LP means Energy Transfer Partners GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
ETP GP LP Interests is defined in Section 4.5(h).
ETP Incentive Distribution Rights means the Incentive Distribution Rights as such term is
defined in the ETP Partnership Agreement.
ETP Partnership Agreement means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. as amended from time to time.
ETP Redemption Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Execution Date is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Expiration Date is defined in Section 8.3(d)(i).
FERC means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of the United States of America.
Fraud means actual fraud involving a knowing and intentional misrepresentation of a material
fact.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
GECC Names and Marks means the names or marks of GECC or any of its Affiliates, including
GE (in block letters or otherwise), the GE monogram, General Electric Company and General
Electric, either alone or in combination with other words and all marks, trade
A-3
dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source identifiers confusingly similar to or
embodying any of the foregoing either alone or in combination with other words; provided, however,
that GECC Names and Marks shall not include the names or marks of Regency or any of its
Subsidiaries, including Regency or Regency Energy Partners, either alone or in combination with
other words and all marks, trade dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source identifiers
confusingly similar to or embodying any of the foregoing either alone or in combination with other
words.
Governance Policies means policies designed to address conflicts of interest,
non-overlapping director positions, confidential information and other related matters.
Governmental Authority means any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative agency, body, commission, department, board, court, tribunal, arbitrating body or
authority of the United States or any foreign country, or any state, local or other governmental
subdivision thereof.
Hazardous Substances means each substance, waste or material regulated, defined, designated
or classified as a hazardous waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant
or toxic substance under any Environmental Law.
Indemnified Party is defined in Section 8.3(e).
Indemnifying Party is defined in Section 8.3(a).
Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.2.
Intellectual Property means patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Knowledge means (a) with respect to Seller, the actual knowledge of James F. Burgoyne,
Daniel R. Castagnola, Mark T. Mellana and Brian P. Ward, and (b) with respect to the Buyer Parties,
the actual knowledge of John W. McReynolds and Sonia Aube.
Law means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, rule of common law, regulation,
judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license or authorization of any
Governmental Authority.
LEGP Interest is defined in Section 4.5(e).
LEGPLLC is defined in Section 4.5(e).
Lien means, with respect to any property or asset, (i) any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, lien or other similar property interest or encumbrance in respect of such property or
asset, and (ii) any easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, rights, leases
and other encumbrances on title to real or personal property (whether or not of record).
Losses is defined in Section 8.1.
Master Services Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
A-4
Material Adverse Effect means, with respect to any Person, any change, event or development
that is materially adverse to the business, assets, financial condition, or operations of such
Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that, a Material Adverse Effect
shall not be deemed to have occurred as a result of any of the following changes, events or
developments (either alone or in combination): (a) any change in general economic, political or
business conditions (including any effects on the economy arising as a result of acts of
terrorism); (b) any change in oil or natural gas commodity prices; (c) any change affecting the
natural gas transportation industry generally but which does not have a materially disproportionate
impact on the business of such Person and its Subsidiaries; (d) any change in accounting
requirements or principles imposed by GAAP or any change in Law after the Execution Date but which
does not, in each case, have a materially disproportionate impact on the business of such Person
and its Subsidiaries; (e) any change resulting from the execution of this Agreement or the
announcement of the transactions contemplated hereby; or (f) any change resulting from compliance
by such Person with the terms of this Agreement or from any action by such Person that is expressly
permitted by this Agreement.
MEP Contribution is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
MEP Contribution Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Operating Subsidiaries means Regency Gas Services LP, a Delaware limited partnership and all
other Subsidiaries of Regency.
Organizational Documents means, with respect to any Person, the articles of incorporation,
certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership, bylaws,
limited liability company agreement, operating agreement, partnership agreement, stockholders
agreement and all other similar documents, instruments or certificates executed, adopted or filed
in connection with the creation, formation or organization of such Person, including any amendments
thereto.
Owned Units are defined in Section 4.5(i).
Party and Parties are defined in the preamble of this Agreement.
Permits means all permits, approvals, consents, licenses, franchises, exemptions and other
authorizations, consents and approvals of or from Governmental Authorities.
Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person, (a) statutory Liens for current Taxes
applicable to the assets of such Person or assessments not yet delinquent or the amount or validity
of which is being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP; (b) mechanics, carriers, workers, repairers, landlords and other similar
liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person relating to obligations
as to which there is no default on the part of such Person, (c) Liens as may have arisen in the
ordinary course of business of such Person, none of which are material to the ownership, use or
operation of the assets of such Person; (d) any state of facts which an accurate on the ground
survey of any real property of such Person would show, and any easements, rights-of-way,
restrictions, restrictive covenants, rights, leases, and other encumbrances on title to real or
personal property filed of record that do not materially detract from the value of or materially
A-5
interfere with the use and operation of any of the assets of such Person; (e) statutory Liens
for obligations that are not delinquent, (f) Liens encumbering the fee interest of those tracts of
real property encumbered by Rights-of-Way, (g) legal highways, zoning and building laws, ordinances
and regulations, that do not materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the
use of the assets of such Person in the ordinary course of business and (h) any Liens with respect
to assets of such Person, which, together with all other Liens, do not materially detract from the
value of such Person or materially interfere with the present use of the assets owned by such
Person or the conduct of the business of such Person.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership,
limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust,
bank trust company, land trust, business trust, or other organization, whether or not a legal
entity, custodian, trustee-executor, administrator, nominee or entity in a representative capacity
and any Governmental Authority.
Preceding Quarter is defined in Section 2.4(b).
Pre-Closing Tax is defined in Section 5.12(a).
Proceeding means any civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, investigations or
other proceedings.
Redemption and Exchange is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency Benefit Plans is defined in Section 3.17(a)(ii).
Regency Common Unit means a common unit representing a limited partner interest in Regency.
Regency Credit Agreement means the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
March 4, 2010, by and among Regency, Wachovia Bank, National Association as Administrative Agent
and the lenders party thereto, as amended from time.
Regency Entities means Regency, RGPLP, RGPLLC and the Operating Subsidiaries, collectively.
Regency Financial Statements is defined in Section 3.10(c).
Regency GP Entities means RGPLP and RGPLLC.
Regency GP Interest is defined in Section 3.5(e).
Regency GP LP Interests is defined in Section 3.5(e).
Regency Incentive Distribution Rights means the Incentive Distribution Rights as such term
is defined in the Regency Partnership Agreement.
A-6
Regency Material Adverse Effect means any Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Regency
Entities taken as a whole.
Regency Material Contracts is defined in Section 3.13(b).
Regency Partnership Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP, dated as of February 3, 2006, between RGPLP, as the
General Partner, and Seller, as the Organizational Limited Partner, together with any other Persons
who become Partners in the Partnership or parties thereto as provided therein, as amended by that
Amendment No. 1 to Agreement of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency
Energy Partners LP, dated as of August 15, 2006, between RGPLP, as the General Partner, as further
amended by that Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency
Energy Partners LP, dated as of September 21, 2006, between RGPLP, as the General Partner.
Regency SEC Documents is defined in Section 3.10(a).
Regency Series A Unit is defined in Section 3.5(g).
Registration Rights Agreement is defined in Section 2.3(a)(vii).
Release means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting,
discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping,
or disposing.
Representatives is defined in Section 5.3.
Responsible Officer means, with respect to any Person, any vice-president or more senior
officer of such Person.
RGPLLC is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
RGPLP is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Rights-of-Way means easements, rights-of-way and similar real estate interests.
RIGS Contribution is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
RIGS HPC is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
SEC is defined in Section 3.10(a).
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Seller is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Seller Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.2.
A-7
Seller Disclosure Schedule means the disclosure schedule to this Agreement prepared by
Seller and delivered to the Buyer Parties on the Execution Date.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity of which a majority of the Voting Interests are
at the time owned or Controlled directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided that for purposes of this Agreement,
RIGS HPC and any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be Subsidiaries of Regency.
Tax means (a) any tax, charge, fee, levy, penalty or other assessment imposed by any United
States federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority, including any excise, property, income,
sales, transfer, margin, franchise, payroll, withholding, social security or other tax, including
any interest, penalties or additions attributable thereto, whether disputed or not; and (b) any
liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (a) as a result of
being a member of a consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period; and (c) any liability
of for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (a) or (b) as a
result of the operation of law or any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other Person.
Tax Return means any return, report, information return, declaration, claim for refund or
other document (including any related or supporting information or schedules) supplied or required
to be supplied to any authority with respect to Taxes and including any supplement or amendment
thereof.
Termination Date is defined in Section 7.1(c).
Third Amendment is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Transaction Agreements means, collectively, this Agreement, the ETP Redemption Agreement and
MEP Contribution Agreement.
Transfer Taxes is defined in Section 5.12(b).
Treasury Regulations means the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by
the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.
All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding
provision or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final Treasury
Regulations.
Voting Interests of any Person as of any date means the equity interests of such Person
pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to
elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers, general partners or trustees of such
Person (regardless of whether, at the time, equity interests of any other class or classes shall
have, or might have, voting power by reason of the occurrence of any contingency) or, with respect
to a partnership (whether general or limited), any general partner interest in such partnership.
A-8
Annex A
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
This Amendment No. 3 (this Amendment) to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership),
dated as of February 8, 2006 (the Partnership Agreement), is entered into effective as of
___, 2010, by LE GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the General Partner), as
the general partner of the Partnership, on behalf of itself and the Limited Partners of the
Partnership. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used as defined in the Partnership
Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Section 5.8 of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner, without
the approval of any Limited Partner except as otherwise provided in the Partnership Agreement, may,
for any Partnership purpose, at any time or from time to time, issue additional Partnership
Securities to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be
established by the General Partner in its sole discretion;
WHEREAS, Section 13.1(d)(i) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner,
without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Partnership Agreement (to
reflect a change that, the General Partner determines, does not adversely affect the Limited
Partners in any material respect);
WHEREAS, Section 13.1(g) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner,
without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Partnership Agreement to
reflect an amendment that, the General Partner determines, is necessary or appropriate in
connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities
pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Partnership Agreement;
WHEREAS, all of the Class C Units were converted into Common Units on February 22, 2007, with
the result that all Class C Units have been canceled and there are no Class C Units Outstanding as
of the date hereof;
WHEREAS, all of the Class B Units were converted into Common Units on March 27, 2007, with the
result that all Class B Units have been canceled and there are no Class B Units Outstanding as of
the date hereof;
WHEREAS, the Partnership has entered into a General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated as of
May 10, 2010 (the GP Purchase Agreement), between the Partnership, ETE GP Acquirer LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(Regency GP Seller), pursuant to which the Regency GP Seller will transfer (i) 100% of the
membership interests in Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (RGPLLC) and (ii)
the 99.999% limited partner interest in Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited
Annex A-1
partnership (RGPLP and, together with RGPLLC, the Regency GP Entities) and the general
partner of Regency Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (Regency) (such
interests, together the Acquired Regency GP Interests) in exchange for the issuance by the
Partnership to Regency GP Seller of 3,000,000 units of a new class of Partnership Securities to be
designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Units with the rights, preferences and privileges
and such other terms as are set forth in this Amendment;
WHEREAS, the General Partner has determined that the creation of the Series A Preferred Units
(as defined below) will be in the best interests of the Partnership and beneficial to the Limited
Partners, including the holders of the Common Units;
WHEREAS, the issuance of the Series A Preferred Units complies with the requirements of the
Partnership Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the General Partner has determined, pursuant to Section 13.1(g) of the Partnership
Agreement, that the amendments to the Partnership Agreement set forth herein are necessary or
appropriate in connection with the authorization of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Units;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
Amendments.
Section 1.1 of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add or amend and restate the
following definitions:
Combined Accretion Multiple has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xi)(B).
Election Notice Period has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(ix)(A).
Fair Market Value means, as of a particular date, (i) for any Marketable
Security, the VWAP Price of such Marketable Security and (ii) for all property other
than a Marketable Security, the value of the property on the date it was distributed
by the Partnership in a Special Distribution, as determined in good faith by the
General Partner.
Fractional Unit Cash Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(G).
Fundamental Change means (i) any merger or consolidation of the Partnership
with another entity, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Partnership, (iii) any dissolution or liquidation of the Partnership, (iv) any other
transaction pursuant to which the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General
Partner exercises its rights to purchase all of the Outstanding Common Units
pursuant to Section 15.1 of this Agreement, (v) the sale or transfer, directly or
indirectly, of the general partner interest of the MLP by the Partnership
Annex A-2
(excluding any such sale or transfer to a, direct or indirect, wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Partnership), (vi) the failure of the Partnership to continue to
maintain, directly or through direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries,
ownership of at least 25,000,000 common units of the MLP (as appropriately adjusted
for unit splits, unit distributions and the like) or (vii) the declaration of a
distribution by the MLP to its unitholders that constitutes a distribution from
Capital Surplus as opposed to Operating Surplus (as each such term is defined in the
MLP Agreement as in effect on the Series A Issuance Date).
Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration means (x) if Common Units will
remain Outstanding and continue to constitute Marketable Securities upon
consummation of a Fundamental Change, a number of Common Units equal to (A) the sum
of (1) the Series A Liquidation Value as of the date of consummation of the
Fundamental Change plus (2) the lesser of (a) the Series A Accretion Amount as of
the date of the consummation of a Fundamental Change or (b) $10.00, divided by (B)
the VWAP Price as of the date of the consummation of the Fundamental Change and (y)
in any circumstance not described in clause (x), the consideration received in
connection with such Fundamental Change by a hypothetical holder of the number of
Common Units that would be received by the holder of one Series A Preferred Unit
pursuant to clause (x) had Common Units remained Outstanding and continued to
constitute Marketable Securities upon consummation of such Fundamental Change.
Fundamental Change Documentation means any documentation (in addition to any
certificates representing a holders Series A Preferred Units) that the General
Partner reasonably requests to be delivered by each holder of Series A Preferred
Units in connection with the conversion or redemption of the Series A Preferred
Units due to a Fundamental Change, including, if applicable, wire transfer
instructions in respect of any cash consideration to be received in connection with
such Fundamental Change.
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration has the meaning ascribed
to such term in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i).
Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration has the meaning ascribed to
such term in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i).
Fundamental Change Forced Redemption Election has the meaning ascribed to
such term in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A)(a).
Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration means (i) an amount in cash equal
to the Series A Liquidation Value as of the date of the consummation of a
Fundamental Change plus (ii) the Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration
Premium.
Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration Premium means, in respect of a
Fundamental Change, (x) if Common Units will remain Outstanding
Annex A-3
and continue to constitute Marketable Securities upon the consummation of the
Fundamental Change, a number of Common Units equal to (A) the greater of (1) the
Series A Accretion Amount as of the date of the consummation of a Fundamental Change
and (2) $10.00 divided by (B) the VWAP Price as of the date of consummation of the
Fundamental Change and (y) in any circumstance not described in clause (x), the
consideration received in connection with such Fundamental Change by a hypothetical
holder of the number of Common Units that would be received by the holder of one
Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to clause (x) had Common Units remained Outstanding
and continued to constitute Marketable Securities upon consummation of such
Fundamental Change.
Fundamental Change Trigger Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A).
Investor means, collectively, Regency GP Seller and each of its Affiliates
from time to time that is the registered holder of any Series A Preferred Units.
Issue Price means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the
Partnership, after taking into account any sales commission or underwriting discount
charged to the Partnership and after taking into account any other form of discount
with respect to the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership;
provided, however, that in the case of the Series A Preferred Units, the Issue Price
shall be $100.00 per Unit.
Junior Securities means any class or series of Partnership Securities that,
with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities and distributions upon
liquidation of the Partnership, ranks junior to the Series A Preferred Units,
including but not limited to Common Units.
Marketable Security means any security listed on the New York Stock Exchange
or the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Parity Securities means any class or series of Partnership Securities that,
with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities or distributions upon
liquidation of the Partnership, ranks pari passu with the Series A Preferred Units.
Partnership Event has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xi)(A).
Partnership Event Consummation Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(xi)(A).
Post-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple has the meaning ascribed to such
term in Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(b).
Pre-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple has the meaning ascribed to such
term in Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(a).
Annex A-4
Public Equity Partnership Event has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B).
Record Date means the date established by the General Partner for determining
(a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any
meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of
Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in
respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners, (b) the identity of Record Holders
entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer or (c)
the identity of the Record Holders of Series A Preferred Units entitled to convert
such Units or whose Units are to be redeemed.
Regency GP Purchase Agreement means the General Partner Purchase Agreement,
dated May 10, 2010, by and between the Partnership, ETE GP Acquirer LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and Regency GP Seller.
Regency GP Seller means Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership.
Regulation FD means Regulation FD as promulgated by the Commission, as the
same may be amended from time to time.
Securities Law Prohibition has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13((b)(vii)(H).
Senior Securities means any class or series of Partnership Securities that,
with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities or distributions upon
liquidation of the Partnership, ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Units.
Series A Adjustment Event has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xii)(A).
Series A Accretion Amount means, as of a particular date (i) $100.00
multiplied by (ii) the Trading Price Accretion Percentage as of such date multiplied
by (iii) twenty-five percent (25%), expressed as a decimal.
Series A Conversion Cash Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term
in Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b)(ii).
Series A Conversion Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A).
Series A Conversion Documentation has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)(c).
Series A Conversion Notice has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(vii)(C).
Annex A-5
Series A Conversion Notice Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(B).
Series A Distribution Payment Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(ii)(A).
Series A Distribution Rate means a fixed rate of $2.00 per Series A Preferred
Unit per Quarter; provided, however, that with respect to the period commencing on
the Series A Issuance Date and ending on the last day of the Quarter in which the
Series A Issuance Date occurs, Series A Distribution Rate shall mean a fixed rate
of the product of $2.00 per Series A Preferred Unit multiplied by a fraction of
which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator is 90.
Series A Exchange Cap means that number of units of Common Units which the
Partnership may issue upon conversion or redemption, as the case may be, of the
Series A Preferred Units without breaching the Partnerships obligations under the
rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units
are listed or admitted to trading.
Series A Issuance Date means [l], 2010.
Series A Liquidation Value means as of a particular date, with respect to a
Series A Preferred Unit, the sum of (i) the Issue Price, plus (ii) all accumulated
and unpaid and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Series A Preferred Unit
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ii)(A) as of such date.
Series A Maturity Date means [l], 2014.1
Series A Optional Redemption Trigger Date means [l], 2013.2
Series A Preferred Unit means a Partnership Security representing a
fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees,
and having the rights, preferences and privileges and duties and obligations
specified with respect to the Series A Preferred Units in this Agreement. The term
Series A Preferred Unit does not refer to a Common Unit prior to the conversion of
a Series A Preferred Unit into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
Series A Pro Rata Distribution means, in respect of any Parity Security, the
distribution permitted to be made on such Parity Security in the event that the
Partnership fails to pay in full in cash any distribution (or portion thereof) which
any holder of Series A Preferred Units accrues and is entitled to receive, which is
equal to the distribution payable in respect of such Parity Security as of such
date, multiplied by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the distribution paid
in
|
|
|
1 |
|
The fourth anniversary of the Series A
Issuance Date |
|
2 |
|
The third anniversary of the Series A
Issuance Date. |
Annex A-6
respect of each Series A Preferred Unit on the most recent Series A
Distribution Payment Date and (ii) the denominator of which is the distribution
accumulated and payable on each Series A Preferred Unit immediately prior to the
payment of such distribution on the most recent Series A Distribution Payment Date.
Series A Redemption Confirmation has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(C).
Series A Redemption Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A).
Series A Redemption Documentation has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(C).
Series A Redemption Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(viii)(C)(a).
Series A Redemption Notice has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(viii)(C)(b).
Special Distribution has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xii)(A).
Successor Securities has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xi)(B).
Trading Price Accretion Percentage as of a particular date means, subject to
adjustment pursuant to Sections 5.13(b)(xi)(B) and 5.13(b)(xii)(A), a fraction, (i)
the numerator of which equals (A) the VWAP Price of a Common Unit as of such date
minus (B) the VWAP Price of a Common Unit as of the Series A Issuance Date and (ii)
the denominator of which equals the VWAP Price of a Common Unit as of the Series A
Issuance Date, provided that, if the numerator of the foregoing fraction is a
negative amount, then the trading Price Accretion Percentage shall equal zero.
VWAP Price as of a particular date means the volume-weighted average trading
price of a Common Unit on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units
are listed or admitted to trading, calculated over the consecutive 10-Trading Day
period ending on the close of trading on the Trading Day immediately prior to such
date; provided, however, that the VWAP Price as of a particular date following
consummation of a Public Equity Partnership Event shall mean the volume-weighted
average trading price of the Successor Securities on the National Securities
Exchange on which the Successor Securities are listed or admitted to trading,
calculated over the consecutive 10-Trading Day period ending on the close of trading
on the Trading Day immediately prior to such date.
Section 1.1 of the Partnership Agreement is hereby further amended to add the following
sentence to the end of the definition of Common Unit:
Annex A-7
The term Common Unit does not refer to a Series A Preferred Unit prior to
the conversion of such Unit into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.
Section 4.7(c) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its
entirety as follows:
(c) The transfer of a Series A Preferred Unit shall be subject to the
restrictions imposed by Section 5.13(b)(x) and Section 6.6.
Section 5.6(a) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its
entirety as follows:
The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of
Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has
furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section
6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a
Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership
Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and the methodology set forth in Proposed Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the
amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such
Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) all items of Partnership
income and gain (including, without limitation, income and gain exempt from tax)
computed in accordance with Section 5.6(b) and allocated with respect to such
Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of
cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property
made with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (y)
all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section
5.6(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section
6.1. The Partnership shall follow the methodology set forth in the proposed
noncompensatory option regulations under Proposed Treasury Regulation Sections
1.704-1, 1.721-2 and 1.761-3 at all times, including when the assets of the
Partnership are revalued or any Series A Preferred Units are converted pursuant to
Section 5.13. For the avoidance of doubt, the Series A Preferred Units will be
treated as a partnership interest in the Partnership for federal income tax
purposes, and, therefore, each holder of a Series A Preferred Unit will be treated
as a partner in the Partnership.
Section 5.6(d)(i) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its
entirety as follows:
(i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and
Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s), on an issuance of
additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of
Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the conversion
of the General Partners Combined Interest to Units pursuant to
Annex A-8
Section 11.3(b) or the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit, the Capital
Account of all Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property
immediately prior to such issuance, or immediately after such conversion (with
respect to the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit), shall be adjusted upward or
downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such
Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been
recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such
issuance or on the date of such conversion. Any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized
Loss (or items thereof) shall be allocated (A) if the operation of this sentence is
triggered by the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit, first to the Partners
holding converted Series A Preferred Units until the Capital Account of each
converted Series A Preferred Unit is equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then
Outstanding Common Unit (other than a converted Series A Preferred Unit), and (B)
any remaining Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be allocated among the
Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(c) in the same manner as any item of gain or loss
actually recognized would have been allocated. If the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized
Loss allocated as a result of the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit is not
sufficient to cause the Capital Account of each converted Series A Preferred Unit to
equal the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Common Unit (other than a
converted Series A Preferred Unit), then Capital Account balances shall be
reallocated between the Partners holding converted Series A Preferred Units and the
Partners holding Common Units (other than converted Series A Preferred Units) so as
to cause the Capital Account of each converted Series A Preferred Unit to equal the
Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Common Unit (other than a converted
Series A Preferred Unit), in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3). In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss,
the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets
(including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the
issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General
Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the
General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the
fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time and must
reduce the fair market value of all Partnership assets by the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of any Outstanding Series A Preferred Units that have not yet been
converted over the aggregate Issue Price of such Series A Preferred Units to the
extent of any Unrealized Gain that has not been reflected in the Partners Capital
Accounts previously, pursuant to Proposed Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value
among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a
fair market value for individual properties.
Article V of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add a new Section 5.13 creating a
new series of Units as follows:
Section 5.13 Establishment of Series A Preferred Units.
Annex A-9
(a) General. The General Partner hereby designates and creates a series of
Units to be designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Units and consisting of
a total of 3,000,000 Series A Preferred Units, having the same rights, preferences
and privileges, and subject to the same duties and obligations, as the Common
Units, except as set forth in this Section 5.13 and in Sections 5.6(d)(i), 6.6 and
12.10. The class of Series A Preferred Units shall be closed immediately following
the Series A Issuance Date and thereafter no additional Series A Preferred Units
shall be designated, created or issued without the prior written approval of the
General Partner and the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred
Units. The initial Capital Account balance in respect of each Series A Preferred
Unit issued on the Series A Issuance Date shall be the Issue Price for such Series
A Preferred Unit.
(b) Rights of Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units shall
have the following rights, preferences and privileges and shall be subject to the
following duties and obligations:
(i) Allocations.
(A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(a), prior to any allocation made pursuant to Section 6.1(a),
but after giving effect to any special allocations set forth in
Section 6.1(d), any Net Income shall be allocated to all
Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the
Capital Account in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred
Unit is equal to the Series A Liquidation Value.
(B) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(b), Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units shall not
receive any allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(b) unless and until
the Adjusted Capital Accounts of all other Partners have been
reduced to zero, in which case prior to allocating any remaining
Net Losses to the General Partner, Net Losses shall be allocated to
all Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until
the Adjusted Capital Accounts of such Unitholders in respect of
such Units have been reduced to zero.
(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(c)(i), (x) Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units shall be
allocated Net Termination Gain in accordance with Section
6.1(c)(i)(A) but shall not receive any allocation pursuant to
Sections 6.1(c)(i)(B) (D) with respect to their Series A Preferred
Units, and (y) following any allocation made pursuant to Section
6.1(c)(i)(A) and prior to any allocation made pursuant to Section
6.1(c)(i)(B), any remaining Net Termination Gain shall be allocated
to all Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro
Annex A-10
Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Outstanding
Series A Preferred Unit is equal to the Series A Liquidation Value.
(D) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(c)(ii), (x) Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units shall
not receive any allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(ii)(A) with
respect to their Series A Preferred Units, and (y) following the
allocations made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(A), and prior to any
allocation made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(B), any remaining Net
Termination Loss shall be allocated to all Unitholders holding Series
A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of
each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit has been reduced to zero.
(ii) Distributions.
(A) Commencing on the Series A Issuance Date, the holders of the
Series A Preferred Units as of an applicable Record Date shall accrue
and be entitled to receive cumulative distributions, prior to any
other distributions pursuant to Section 6.3, in cash in an amount
equal to the Series A Distribution Rate on each Outstanding Series A
Preferred Unit. All such distributions shall be paid Quarterly, in
arrears, within fifty (50) days after the end of each Quarter (a
Series A Distribution Payment Date). If the Partnership fails to
pay in full in cash any distribution (or portion thereof) which any
holder of Series A Preferred Units accrues and is entitled to receive
pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ii)(A), then (x) the amount of such
accrued and unpaid distributions will accumulate until paid in full
in cash and (y) the Partnership shall not be permitted to, and shall
not, declare or make (i) any distributions in respect of any Junior
Securities and (ii) any distributions in respect of any Parity
Securities, other than Series A Pro Rata Distributions, unless and
until all accrued and accumulated distributions on the Series A
Preferred Units has been paid in full in cash.
(B) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.13(b)(ii) to the
contrary, with respect to Series A Preferred Units that are converted
into Common Units, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to a
Series A Preferred Unit distribution and a Common Unit distribution
with respect to the same period, but shall be entitled only to the
distribution to be paid based upon the class of Units held as of the
close of business on the Record Date for the distribution in respect
of such period.
Annex A-11
(C) Accrued and unpaid distributions in respect of the Series A
Preferred Units will not accrue interest.
(iii) Issuance of Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred
Units shall be issued by the Partnership pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Regency GP Purchase Agreement.
(iv) Liquidation Value. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Partnership, either voluntary or involuntary, the
holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, out of
the assets of the Partnership available for distribution to Unitholders,
prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Partnership
to the holders of any other class or series of Partnership Securities, the
positive value in each such holders Capital Account in respect of such
Series A Preferred Units. If in the year of such liquidation, dissolution
or winding up any such holders Capital Account in respect of such Series A
Preferred Units is less than the aggregate Series A Liquidation Value of
such Series A Preferred Units, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, and prior to any other allocation pursuant to
this Agreement for such year and prior to any distribution pursuant to the
preceding sentence, items of gross income and gain shall be allocated to all
Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital
Account in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit is equal to
the Series A Liquidation Value (and no other allocation pursuant to this
Agreement shall reverse the effect of such allocation). If in the year of
such liquidation, dissolution or winding up any such holders Capital
Account in respect of such Series A Preferred Units is less than the
aggregate Series A Liquidation Value of such Series A Preferred Units after
the application of the preceding sentence, then to the extent permitted by
law and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, items of gross income and gain for any preceding taxable
period(s) with respect to which Schedule K-1s have not been filed by the
Partnership shall be reallocated to all Unitholders holding Series A
Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each
Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit is equal to the Series A Liquidation
Value (and no other allocation pursuant to this Agreement shall reverse the
effect of such allocation).
(v) Voting Rights.
(A) The Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to vote on any
matters related to the Partnership other than as expressly provided in this
Section 5.13(b)(v).
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in addition
to all other requirements imposed by Delaware law, and all other
Annex A-12
voting rights granted under this Agreement, the affirmative vote of
holders of a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting
separately as a class with one vote per Series A Preferred Unit, shall be
necessary to amend this Agreement in any manner that (i) alters or changes
the rights, preferences or privileges or duties and obligations of the
Series A Preferred Units, (ii) increases or decreases the authorized number
of Series A Preferred Units (including without limitation any issuance of
additional Series A Preferred Units), or (iii) otherwise adversely affects
the Series A Preferred Units in any material respect, including without
limitation the creation (by reclassification or otherwise) of any class of
Senior Securities (or amending the provisions of any existing class of
Partnership Securities to make such class of Partnership Securities a class
of Senior Securities); provided, however, that the Partnership may, without
the consent or approval of the holders of the Series A Preferred Units (a)
create (by reclassification or otherwise) and issue Junior Securities and
Parity Securities (including by amending the provisions of any existing
class of Partnership Securities to make such class of Partnership Securities
a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities) in an unlimited amount
and (b) consummate any Fundamental Change.
(vi) Certificates.
(A) The Series A Preferred Units shall be evidenced by certificates in
such form as the General Partner may approve and, subject to the
satisfaction of any applicable legal, regulatory and contractual
requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical to the
assignment and transfer of other Units; unless and until the General Partner
determines to assign the responsibility to another Person, the General
Partner will act as the registrar and transfer agent for the Series A
Preferred Units. The certificates evidencing Series A Preferred Units shall
be separately identified and shall not bear the same CUSIP number as the
certificates evidencing Common Units.
(B) The certificate(s) representing the Series A Preferred Units may be
imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form (in addition to
the legend required pursuant to Section 4.7(e)):
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE SECURITIES ACT) AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE THIRD AMENDED AND
RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., AS
AMENDED. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ENERGY
Annex A-13
TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN
APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B)
TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUITY, L.P. TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR
OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE
EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). LE GP, LLC THE GENERAL PARTNER OF
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE
TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH
RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUITY, L.P. BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE
AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH
ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS
SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
(vii) Conversion.
(A) Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and
(xii), immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A Maturity
Date, each Series A Preferred Unit shall convert into the right to receive,
upon the satisfaction of the terms and conditions of this Section
5.13(b)(vii), at the election of the Partnership, either:
a. a number of Common Units equal to:
i. the sum of (A) the Series A Liquidation Value as of the
Series A Maturity Date plus (B) the lesser of (1) the Series A
Accretion Amount as of the Series A Maturity Date and (2) $10.00,
divided by
ii. the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity Date; or
Annex A-14
b. a number of Common Units and an amount of cash equal to:
i. a number of Common Units equal to (x) the sum of (A) fifty
percent (50%) of the Series A Liquidation Value as of the Series A
Maturity Date plus (B) the lesser of (1) the Series A Accretion
Amount as of the Series A Maturity Date and (2) $10.00, divided by
(y) the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity Date, and
ii. an amount of cash equal to fifty percent (50%) of the
Series A Liquidation Value as of the Series A Maturity Date (the cash
consideration to be received pursuant to this clause (ii), the
Series A Conversion Cash Consideration).
The consideration to be received by the holder of a Series A Preferred Unit
upon the conversion of such Series A Preferred Unit as provided in this
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A) is referred to as the Series A Conversion
Consideration.
(B) Any Common Units received by a holder of Series A Preferred Units
as the Series A Conversion Consideration shall be fully paid, validly issued
and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by
matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware
Act). Immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A Maturity
Date, all Series A Preferred Units shall be converted automatically into and
shall thereafter represent solely the right to receive the Series A
Conversion Consideration. All Series A Preferred Units that have converted
into the right to receive the Series A Conversion Consideration shall be
automatically canceled and shall cease to exist, and the holders of
converted Series A Preferred Units shall cease to have any rights with
respect to such Series A Preferred Units other than the right to receive the
Series A Conversion Consideration. Upon such conversion, any certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units shall thereafter represent solely the
right to receive the Series A Conversion Consideration.
(C) Within two Business Days following the Series A Maturity Date, the
Partnership shall send written notice (a Series A Conversion Notice) to
each holder of record of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the
Series A Maturity Date, stating:
a. the election of the Partnership as to whether the Series A
Preferred Units have converted into (i) Common Units pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A)(a) or (ii) both Common Units and the Series A Conversion
Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b);
Annex A-15
b. the Partnerships computation of the number of Common Units to be
issued and the amount of Series A Conversion Cash Consideration, if any, to
be paid in respect of each Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A) (including, in each case, any adjustments pursuant to
Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and (xii)), including the Partnerships computation of
the Series A Liquidation Value, the Series A Accretion Amount and the VWAP
Price, in each case as of the Series A Maturity Date; and
c. that the holder must surrender the certificate or certificates
representing any Series A Preferred Units held by such holder to the
Partnership, and provide such other documentation as reasonably requested by
the General Partner including wire transfer instructions in respect of any
Series A Cash Conversion Cash Consideration or any Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration (the Series A Conversion Documentation), in order to receive
the Series A Conversion Consideration.
In addition to delivery in accordance with the general notice provisions
contained in Section 17.1, the Series A Conversion Notice shall be deemed
properly delivered on the date the Partnership issues a press release
distributed through a widely circulated news or wire service as would
satisfy the requirements of Regulation FD, containing the information
required to be included in the Series A Conversion Notice pursuant to this
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C). The date any Series A Conversion Notice is deemed
delivered shall be referred to as the Series A Conversion Notice Date.
(D) As promptly as practicable following the Series A Conversion Notice
Date and subject to the book-entry provisions set forth below, the holders
of Series A Preferred Units shall surrender the certificate or certificates
representing the Series A Preferred Units being converted, duly endorsed, at
the office of the Partnership or, if identified in the Series A Conversion
Notice to such holder by the Partnership, at the offices of any transfer
agent for such Units, together with the Series A Conversion Documentation.
As promptly as practicable following the receipt of such certificate or
certificates (or a lost unit affidavit reasonably acceptable to the
Partnership in the event of a lost certificate) representing the Series A
Preferred Units and the Series A Conversion Documentation by the Partnership
or the Transfer Agent as provided in the immediately preceding sentence (but
in any event no later than five (5) Business Days thereafter), the
Partnership shall issue to such holder a certificate or certificates for the
number of Common Units to which such holder shall be entitled under Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A) (with the number of and denomination of such certificates
designated by such holder). In lieu of delivering physical certificates
representing the Common Units issuable
Annex A-16
upon conversion of Series A Preferred Units, provided the Transfer
Agent is participating in the Depositorys Fast Automated Securities
Transfer program, upon request of the holder, the Partnership shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Agent to
electronically transmit the Common Units issuable upon conversion to the
holder, by crediting the account of the holders prime broker with the
Depository through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission (DWAC) system.
The holders of Series A Preferred Units and the Partnership agree to
coordinate with the Depository to accomplish this objective. The conversion
pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(vii) shall be deemed to have occurred
immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A Maturity Date
(whether or not the conversion includes the right to receive Series A Cash
Consideration under Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b) or Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration under Section 5.13(b)(vii)(G)). The Person or Persons
entitled to receive the Common Units issuable upon such conversion shall be
treated for all purposes as the Record Holder or Holders of such Common
Units at the close of business on the Series A Maturity Date.
(E) If the Partnership (i) elects to have the Series A Preferred Units
convert into both Common Units and the right to receive the Series A
Conversion Cash Consideration under Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b) or (ii) is
required to pay Fractional Unit Cash Consideration pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(G), then, as promptly as practicable following the receipt of
such certificate or certificates (or a lost unit certificate affidavit
reasonably acceptable to the Partnership in the event of a lost certificate)
representing the Series A Preferred Units and the Series A Conversion
Documentation by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent as provided in the
first sentence of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(D) (but in any event within five (5)
Business Days thereafter), the Partnership shall remit the Series A Cash
Conversion Consideration and the Fractional Unit Cash Consideration, as
applicable, to the holder surrendering such certificate or certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account specified by such holder in writing.
(F) The Partnership shall pay any and all issue, documentary, stamp and
other taxes, excluding any income, franchise or similar taxes, that may be
payable in respect of any issue or delivery of Common Units on conversion
of, or payment of distributions on, Series A Preferred Units pursuant
hereto. However, the holder of any Series A Preferred Units shall pay any
tax that is due because the Common Units issuable upon conversion thereof or
distribution payment thereon are issued in a name other than such holders
name.
(G) No fractional Common Units shall be issued upon the conversion of
any Series A Preferred Units. All Common Units (including
Annex A-17
fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more than one Series A
Preferred Unit by a holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of
determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance of any
fractional unit. If, after the aforementioned aggregation, the conversion
would result in the issuance of a fraction of a Common Unit, the Partnership
shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional unit, either round up the number of
units to the next highest whole number or, at the Partnerships option, pay
the holder otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to such
fraction multiplied by the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity Date. The
consideration payable in lieu of fractional Common Units pursuant to this
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(G) as well as any consideration payable in lieu of
fractional Common Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(F), are referred
to as Fractional Unit Cash Consideration.
(H) The Partnership shall not be obligated to issue any Common Units
upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Units, whether pursuant to this
Section 5.13(b)(vii), or otherwise, if the issuance of such Common Units
would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap or if such issuance could reasonably
be expected to violate any applicable federal or state securities laws or
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state
securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction
over such issuance (a Securities Law Prohibition). To the extent that a
holders Series A Preferred Units would otherwise be converted into a number
of Common Units that would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap, the Partnership
shall pay in cash to such holder an amount equal to the VWAP Price as of the
Series A Maturity Date multiplied by the number of Common Units that are not
so issued but would otherwise be issuable as part of the Series A Conversion
Consideration absent such Series A Exchange Cap or Securities Law
Prohibition.
(I) Any Common Units issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred
Units pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(vii) shall not be subject to the
first proviso contained in the definition of Outstanding contained in this
Agreement for so long as held by the Investor.
(viii) Optional Redemption.
(A) Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and
(xii), beginning on the Series A Optional Redemption Trigger Date and ending
on the last Business Day immediately prior to the Series A Maturity Date,
the Partnership may, at its option, cause all, but not less than all, of the
Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed by the Partnership for (a) cash in
an amount per Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Series A
Liquidation Value on the Series A Redemption Date plus (b) a number of
Common Units per Outstanding Series A Preferred Units equal to (i) the
greater of (x) the Series A Accretion Amount on the Series A
Annex A-18
Redemption Date and (y) $10.00 (such cash amount, the Series A
Redemption Consideration) divided by (ii) the VWAP Price as of the Series A
Redemption Date.
(B) Any Common Units received by a holder of Series A Preferred Units
as the Series A Redemption Consideration shall be fully paid, validly issued
and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by
matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware
Act). At the time of the redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii),
all Series A Preferred Units shall be converted automatically into and shall
thereafter represent solely the right to receive the Series A Redemption
Consideration. All such Series A Preferred Units that have converted into
the right to receive the Series A Redemption Consideration shall be
automatically canceled and shall cease to exist, and the holders of redeemed
Series A Preferred Units shall cease to have any rights with respect to such
Series A Preferred Units other than the right to receive the Series A
Redemption Consideration. Upon such conversion, any certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units shall thereafter represent solely the
right to receive the Series A Redemption Consideration.
(C) To redeem Series A Preferred Units pursuant to this Section
5.13(b)(viii), the Partnership shall:
a. no earlier than 30 days nor later than two days prior to the Series
A Redemption Date, send a written notice (the Series A Redemption Notice)
to each holder of record of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the
date of such notice stating that the Series A Preferred Units will be
redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) effective as of the date set
forth in the Series A Redemption Notice (the Series A Redemption Date);
and
b. as promptly as practicable following the Series A Redemption Date,
send a written notice (a Series A Redemption Confirmation) to each holder
of record of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the Series A
Redemption Date stating: (i) that the Series A Preferred Units have been
redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) effective as of the Series A
Redemption Date; (ii) the Partnerships computation of the amount of Series
A Redemption Consideration to be paid in respect of each Series A Preferred
Unit pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) (including any adjustments
pursuant to Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and (xii)), including the Partnerships
computation of the Series A Liquidation Value, the Series A Accretion Amount
and the VWAP Price, in each case as of the Series A Redemption Date; and
(iii) that such holder must surrender the certificate or certificates
representing any Series A Preferred Units held by such holder to the
Partnership and provide such
Annex A-19
other documentation as reasonably requested by the General Partner
including wire transfer instructions in respect of the Series A Redemption
Consideration (the Series A Redemption Documentation), in order to receive
the Series A Redemption Consideration.
In addition to delivery in accordance with the general notice provisions
contained in Section 17.1, the Series A Redemption Notice and/or a Series A
Redemption Confirmation shall be deemed properly delivered on the date the
Partnership issues a press release distributed through a widely circulated
news or wire service as would satisfy the requirements of Regulation FD,
containing the information required to be included in the Series A
Redemption Notice pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii)(C).
(D) As promptly as practicable following the Series A Redemption Date,
the holders of Series A Preferred Units shall surrender the certificate or
certificates representing the Series A Preferred Units being redeemed, duly
endorsed, at the office of the Partnership or, if identified in the Series A
Redemption Notice to such holder by the Partnership, at the offices of any
transfer agent for such Units, together with the Series A Redemption
Documentation. As promptly as practicable following the receipt of such
certificate or certificates (or a lost unit affidavit reasonably acceptable
to the Partnership in the event of a lost certificate) representing the
Series A Preferred Units and the Series A Conversion Documentation by the
Partnership or the Transfer Agent as provided in the immediately preceding
sentence (but in any event no later than five (5) Business Days thereafter),
the Partnership shall:
a. issue to such holder a certificate or certificates for the number of
Common Units to which such holder shall be entitled under Section
5.13(b)(viii)(A) (with the number of and denomination of such certificates
designated by such holder). In lieu of delivering physical certificates
representing the Common Units issuable upon redemption of Series A Preferred
Units, provided the Transfer Agent is participating in the Depositorys Fast
Automated Securities Transfer program, upon request of the holder, the
Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Transfer Agent to electronically transmit the Common Units issuable upon
redemption to the holder, by crediting the account of the holders prime
broker with the Depository through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission
(DWAC) system. The holders of Series A Preferred Units and the Partnership
agree to coordinate with the Depository to accomplish this objective; and
b. remit the applicable cash portion of the Series A Redemption
Consideration to the holder surrendering such certificate or certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units by wire transfer of
Annex A-20
immediately available funds to an account specified by such holder in
writing.
The redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) shall be deemed to
have occurred immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A
Redemption Date. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Units
issuable upon such redemption shall be treated for all purposes as the
Record Holder or Holders of such Common Units at the close of business on
the Series A Maturity Date.
(E) The Partnership shall pay any and all issue, documentary, stamp and
other taxes, excluding any income, franchise or similar taxes, that may be
payable in respect of any issue or delivery of Common Units on redemption
of, or payment of distributions on, Series A Preferred Units pursuant
hereto. However, the holder of any Series A Preferred Units shall pay any
tax that is due because the Common Units issuable upon redemption thereof or
distribution payment thereon are issued in a name other than such holders
name.
(F) No fractional Common Units shall be issued upon the redemption of
any Series A Preferred Units. All Common Units (including fractions thereof)
issuable upon redemption of more than one Series A Preferred Unit by a
holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the
redemption would result in the issuance of any fractional unit. If, after
the aforementioned aggregation, the redemption would result in the issuance
of a fraction of a Common Unit, the Partnership shall, in lieu of issuing
any fractional unit, either round up the number of units to the next highest
whole number or, at the Partnerships option, pay the holder otherwise
entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by
the VWAP Price as of the Series A Redemption Date.
(G) The Partnership shall not be obligated to issue any Common Units
upon redemption of the Series A Preferred Units, whether pursuant to this
Section 5.13(b)(viii), or otherwise, if the issuance of such Common Units
would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap or if such issuance could reasonably
be expected to conflict with a Securities Laws Prohibition. To the extent
that a holders Series A Preferred Units would otherwise be redeemed for a
number of Common Units that would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap, the
Partnership shall pay in cash to such holder an amount equal to the VWAP
Price as of the Series A Redemption Date multiplied by the number of Common
Units that are not so issued but would otherwise be issuable as part of the
Series A Redemption Consideration absent such Series A Exchange Cap or
Securities Law Prohibition.
Annex A-21
(H) Any Common Units issued upon redemption of the Series A Preferred
Units pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) shall not be subject to the
first proviso contained in the definition of Outstanding contained in this
Agreement for so long as held by the Investor.
(ix) Fundamental Change.
(A) If on the earlier of the date (x) the Partnership enters into a
definitive agreement to consummate a Fundamental Change, (y) of the
consummation of a Fundamental Change or (z) of the declaration of a
distribution by the MLP described in subsection (vii) of the definition of
Fundamental Change (the Fundamental Change Trigger Date), Investor holds,
in the aggregate, at least fifty percent (50%) of the Series A Preferred
Units issued pursuant to the Regency GP Purchase Agreement, then the
Partnership will within 10 Business Days of such date send a written notice
to the Investor stating the nature of the Fundamental Change, including a
description of the material terms of the transaction constituting a
Fundamental Change and, if the Fundamental Change has not yet occurred, the
date or expected date of consummation. No later than 10 Business Days
following delivery of the notice provided for in the previous sentence (the
Election Notice Period), the Investor may, in its sole discretion, deliver
written notice to the Partnership of its election, in its sole discretion,
to:
a. upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in
subsections (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the definition of Fundamental
Change, require the Partnership to redeem all of the Outstanding
Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a) (a
Fundamental Change Forced Redemption Election); or
b. upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in
subsections (v), (vi) or (vii) of the definition of Fundamental
Change, require the Partnership to elect to convert or redeem the
Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C).
If at any time the Investor does not hold, in the aggregate, at least fifty
percent (50%) of the Series A Preferred Units issued pursuant to the Regency
GP Purchase Agreement, then the provisions of this Section 5.13(b)(ix) shall
immediately cease to have any force or effect and the Investor and the
holders of Series A Preferred Units shall have no rights hereunder,
regardless of whether or not the Investor subsequently acquires additional
Series A Preferred Units.
(B) Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in subsections
(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the definition of Fundamental Change:
Annex A-22
a. If the Investor timely makes a Fundamental Change Forced Redemption
Election, then the Partnership will redeem all of the Outstanding Series A
Preferred Units for cash and Common Units in an amount per Outstanding
Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration.
i. Subject to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a)(ii), in connection with
a redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a), the
Partnership will deliver notice of the redemption, the Series A
Preferred Units will be canceled, the certificates representing
Series A Preferred Units will be surrendered in exchange for the
issuance of Common Units and the cash portion of the Fundamental
Change Redemption Consideration and any Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration will be paid, each in a manner consistent with the
provisions of Section 5.13(b)(viii)(B)-(H), except that, for purposes
of applying such provisions to a redemption pursuant to this Section
5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a), (A) all references to the Series A Redemption
Consideration will mean the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration, (B) all references to Series A Redemption Date will
mean the time immediately prior to the consummation of the
Fundamental Change, (C) all references to Series A Redemption
Documentation will mean Fundamental Change Documentation, (D) the
Partnership must deliver the Series A Redemption Notice no later than
two Business Days following the later of the date of consummation of
the Fundamental Change and the expiration of the Election Notice
Period and (E) references to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) shall mean a
redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a).
ii. In the event the Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration
Premium does not consist of Common Units, the Partnership shall (i)
make appropriate provision, in the definitive transaction document
governing the Fundamental Change or otherwise, to ensure that the
holders of Series A Preferred Units receive the Fundamental Change
Redemption Consideration (including the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration Premium) reasonably promptly following such Fundamental
Change upon the surrender of their certificates representing Series A
Preferred Units and (ii) deliver reasonable notice of such provisions
to the holders of Series A Preferred Units (which notice may be
delivered in a manner consistent with that contemplated for delivery
of a Series A Redemption Notice pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(viii)(C)).
Annex A-23
b. If the Investor does not timely make a Fundamental Change Forced
Redemption Election, then each Series A Preferred Unit Outstanding
immediately prior to the consummation of the Fundamental Change will
automatically be converted into the right to receive the Fundamental Change
Conversion Consideration pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(b).
i. In the event the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration
consists of Common Units, the Partnership will deliver notice of the
conversion, the Series A Preferred Units will be canceled, the
certificates representing Series A Preferred Units will be
surrendered in exchange for the issuance of Common Units and
Fractional Unit Cash Consideration will be paid, each in a manner
consistent with the provisions of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(B)-(I), except
that, for purposes of applying such provisions to a conversion
pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(b), (A) all references to the
Series A Conversion Consideration will mean the Fundamental Change
Conversion Consideration, (B) all references to the Series A
Maturity Date will mean the time immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change, (C) all references to Series
A Conversion Documentation will mean Fundamental Change
Documentation, (D) the Partnership must deliver the Series A
Conversion Notice no later than two Business Days following the later
of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change and the
expiration of the Election Notice Period, (E) Section
5.13(b)(vii)(C)(a) shall be inapplicable, (F) references to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A) shall mean a conversion pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(ix)(B)(b) and (G) Section 5.13(b)(vii)(H) shall apply to any
Common Units that would otherwise be issuable as a result of the
Fundamental Change.
ii. In the event the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration
does not consist of Common Units, the Partnership shall (i) make
appropriate provision, in the definitive transaction document
governing the Fundamental Change or otherwise, to ensure that the
holders of Series A Preferred Units receive the Fundamental Change
Conversion Consideration reasonably promptly following such
Fundamental Change upon the surrender of their certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units and (ii) deliver reasonable
notice of such provisions to the holders of Series A Preferred Units
(which notice may be delivered in a manner consistent with that
contemplated for delivery of a Series A Conversion Notice pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)).
Annex A-24
(C) a. Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in
subsections (v), (vi) or (vii) of the definition of Fundamental Change and
the election of the Investor to require the Partnership to elect to convert
or redeem the Series A Preferred Units pursuant to this Section
5.13(b)(ix)(C), the Partnership will, within two Business Days following the
later of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change and the
expiration of the Election Notice Period, deliver written notice to the
holders of all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the date of
consummation of such Fundamental Change, stating (i) the Partnerships
election to either (x) convert each of the Series A Preferred Units
Outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Fundamental Change
into, for each Series A Preferred Unit then Outstanding, the right to
receive a number of Common Units equal to (A) the Series A Liquidation Value
on the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change divided by (B) the
VWAP Price as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change (the
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration) or (y) redeem each
of the Series A Preferred Units Outstanding immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change for an amount in cash per Series A
Preferred Unit then Outstanding equal to the Series A Liquidation Value on
the date of the consummation of the Fundamental Change (the Fundamental
Change Elected Cash Consideration), (ii) the Partnerships calculation of
the Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration or Fundamental
Change Elected Cash Consideration, as applicable, and (iii) that the holder
must surrender the certificate or certificates representing Series A
Preferred Units to the Partnership, together with the Fundamental Change
Documentation, in order to receive the Fundamental Change Elected Common
Unit Consideration or the Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration, as
applicable. In addition to delivery in accordance with the general notice
provisions contained in Section 17.1, any notice required to be delivered by
the Partnership pursuant to this section shall be deemed properly delivered
on the date the Partnership issues a press release distributed through a
widely circulated news or wire service as would satisfy the requirements of
Regulation FD, containing the information required to be included in such
notice.
b. In addition to the requirements of Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a) and
(c), upon the declaration of a distribution by the MLP described in
subsection (vii) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Partnership
will promptly give written notice to the Investor of such declaration and,
if (x) the Investor delivers written notice to the Partnership no later than
two Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Partnership and the
Partnership elects to issue the Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit
Consideration pursuant to Section 5.13(ix)(C)(a), then the Partnership shall
cause such conversion to occur prior to the Record Date for the distribution
on the Common Units next succeeding
Annex A-25
such election by the Partnership so that the Investor will be a holder
of Common Units as of such Record Date; or (y) if the Investor delivers
written notice to the Partnership no later than two Business Days after
receipt of such notice from the Partnership and the Partnership elects to
redeem the Series A Preferred Units for the Fundamental Change Elected Cash
Consideration pursuant to Section 5.13(ix)(C)(a), then the Partnership shall
cause such redemption to occur prior to payment of the distribution in
respect of the Partnerships Common Units for the Record Date for the
distribution on the Common Units next succeeding such election by the
Partnership.
c. In the event the Partnership elects to convert the Series A
Preferred Units into the right to receive the Fundamental Change Elected
Common Unit Consideration, the Series A Preferred Units will be canceled,
the certificates representing Series A Preferred Units will be surrendered
in exchange for the issuance of Common Units and the Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration, if any, will be paid, each in accordance with the provisions
of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(B)-(I), except that, for purposes of applying such
provisions to a conversion pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i)(x), (A)
all references to the Series A Conversion Consideration will mean the
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration, (B) all references
to the Series A Maturity Date will mean the time immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change, (C) all references to Series A
Conversion Documentation will mean Fundamental Change Documentation, (D)
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)(a) shall be inapplicable, (E) references to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A) shall mean a conversion pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i)(x) and (F) Section 5.13(b)(vii)(G) shall apply to any
Common Units that would otherwise be issuable as a result of the Fundamental
Change.
d. In the event the Partnership elects to redeem the Series A
Preferred Unit for the Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration, the
Series A Preferred Units will be canceled, the certificates representing
Series A Preferred Units will be surrendered and the Fundamental Change
Elected Cash Consideration will be paid in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(B)-(H), except that, for purposes of applying such
sections to a redemption pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i)(y) (A) all
references to the Series A Redemption Consideration will mean the
Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration, (B) all references to
Series A Redemption Date will mean the time immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change and (C) all references to Series A
Redemption Documentation will mean Fundamental Change Documentation and
(D) references to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) shall mean a redemption pursuant
to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(b)(i)(y).
Annex A-26
(D) If any Fundamental Change that is contemplated by a definitive
agreement is not consummated and therefore the conditions to the applicable
redemption or exchange pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix) have not been
satisfied, the Partnership will send written notice to such effect to the
Investor (which notice may be delivered in a manner consistent with that
contemplated for delivery of a Series A Conversion Notice pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, if a Fundamental Change is not consummated, no Series A Preferred
Units will be redeemed or converted pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix).
(x) Limitations on Transfer. Series A Preferred Units may only be transferred to one
or more transferees that, after giving effect to such transfer, each hold at least
1,000,000 Series A Preferred Units, provided that the foregoing limitation shall not apply
to any transfer of Series A Preferred Units to (i) the holders of the class B units in
Regency GP Seller of up to eight percent (8%) of the Series A Preferred Units or (ii)
Regency GP Seller and its Affiliates. In addition, a Unitholder holding a Series A
Preferred Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.13 shall be
subject to the restrictions on transfer imposed by Section 6.6(B). For the avoidance of
doubt, nothing contained in this Section 5.13(b)(x) shall in any way affect the
restrictions on transfers of Partnership Interests contained in Section 4.7, which shall
apply to transfers of Series A Preferred Units.
(xi) Extraordinary Partnership Transactions.
(A) Except to the extent that any such event is a Fundamental Change
as a result of which the Series A Preferred Units are redeemed or converted
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix), prior to the consummation of any
recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, merger, spin-off or other
business combination in which the holders of Common Units are to receive
securities, cash or other assets or any exchange or conversion of limited
partnership interests pursuant to which all of the Common Units are
converted into Parity Securities (other than, in each case, a Series A
Adjustment Event or a Special Distribution) (any such event being a
Partnership Event), the Partnership shall make appropriate provision to
ensure that the holders of Series A Preferred Units receive in such
Partnership Event a preferred security, issued by the Person surviving or
resulting from such Partnership Event and containing provisions
substantially equivalent to the provisions set forth in this Section 5.13
without abridgement, including, without limitation, the same powers,
preferences, rights to distributions, rights to accumulation upon failure
to pay distributions, and relative participating, optional or other special
rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that
the Series A Preferred Units had immediately prior to such Partnership
Event, subject to the adjustments described in Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B) and
Section
Annex A-27
5.13(b)(xi)(C). The date on which a Partnership Event is consummated
is referred to as the Partnership Event Consummation Date.
(B) If in connection with a Partnership Event the Common Units are
converted in whole or in part into other Marketable Securities (such
securities the Successor Securities and such event, a Public Equity
Partnership Event), then, following the Partnership Event Consummation
Date, (i) upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Units pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(vii), the redemption of the Series A Preferred Units
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii), or the redemption or conversion of the
Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix), any portion of
the Series A Conversion Consideration, the Series A Redemption
Consideration, the Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration, the
Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration or the Fundamental Change
Elected Common Unit Consideration, as applicable, that would otherwise
consist of Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.13(b)(vii),
5.13(b)(viii) or 5.13(b)(ix), as applicable, shall instead consist of
Successor Securities, (ii) references in Sections 5.13(b)(ii)(B),
5.13(b)(vii), 5.13(b)(viii), 5.13(b)(ix), 6.6(a) and 6.6(b) to Common
Units shall refer to the Successor Securities and (iii) the term Trading
Price Accretion Percentage shall be modified to mean an amount equal to (a)
the Combined Accretion Multiple less (b) 1.00. The Combined Accretion
Multiple shall mean an amount equal to the product of:
a. a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the VWAP Price of
the Common Units as of the Partnership Event Consummation Date and
(ii) the denominator of which is the VWAP Price of the Common Units
as of the Series A Issuance Date (the Pre-Partnership Event
Accretion Multiple); multiplied by
b. a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the VWAP Price of
the Successor Securities as of the Series A Conversion Date, the
Series A Redemption Date or the date of consummation of the
Fundamental Change, as applicable and (ii) the denominator of which
is the VWAP Price of the Successor Securities as of the eleventh
Trading Day following the Partnership Event Consummation Date (the
Post-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple),
provided that, if the foregoing product is less than 1.00, then the
Combined Accretion Multiple shall equal 1.00.
(C) If in connection with a Partnership Event the Common Units do not
remain Outstanding and are converted solely into cash or other assets or
securities that do not constitute Marketable Securities (or any combination
thereof), then following such Partnership Event
Annex A-28
Consummation Date, upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Units
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(vii), the redemption of the Series A Preferred
Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii), or the redemption or conversion of
the Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix):
a. any portion of the Series A Conversion Consideration, the
Series A Redemption Consideration, the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration, the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration or the
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration, as applicable,
that would otherwise consist of Common Units pursuant to the terms of
Section 5.13(b)(vii), 5.13(b)(viii) or 5.23(b)(ix), as applicable,
shall instead be payable solely in cash;
b. the Series A Conversion Consideration or the Series A
Redemption Consideration, as applicable, shall be an amount equal to
the Series A Liquidation Amount as of the Series A Maturity Date or
the Series A Redemption Date, as applicable, plus:
i. in the event of a redemption, the greater of (i) the
Series A Accretion Amount as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date and (ii) $10.00; or
ii. in the event of a conversion, the lesser of (i) the
Series A Accretion Amount as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date and (ii) $10.00;
c. the term Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration
Premium shall be modified to mean an amount in cash equal to the
greater of (i) the Series A Accretion Amount as of the date of the
Partnership Event Consummation Date and (ii) $10.00;
d. the term Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration shall
be modified to mean an amount in cash equal to the Series A
Liquidation Value as of the date of the consummation of the
Fundamental Change plus the lesser of (i) the Series A Accretion
Amount as of the Partnership Event Consummation Date and (ii) $10;
and
e. the Partnership will no longer have the option to convert the
Series A Preferred Units into Common Units pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(ix)(C), but instead must convert them into the right to
receive the Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration.
Annex A-29
(xii) Distributions, Combinations and Subdivisions; Other Adjustments.
(A) If, after the Series A Issuance Date and prior to the earlier of
the Series A Maturity Date and the Series A Redemption Date, the
Partnership (a) makes a distribution on its Common Units in Common Units,
(b) subdivides or splits its Common Units into a greater number of Common
Units, (c) combines or reclassifies its Common Units into a smaller number
of Common Units, (each of the events described in clauses (a) through (c),
a Series A Adjustment Event) or (d) makes a distribution on its Common
Units in any property other than cash or Common Units (a Special
Distribution), then calculation of the Series A Conversion Consideration
and the Series A Redemption Consideration shall be adjusted as provided in
this Section 5.13(b)(xii)(A) and Sections 5.13(b)(xii)(C) and (D).
a. Solely for the purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion
Percentage for purposes of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A) (in the event of a
conversion) or Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) (in the event of a redemption):
i. for each Series A Adjustment Event, the VWAP Price as of the
Series A Maturity Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as
applicable, shall be adjusted by multiplying such VWAP Price by a
fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common
Units Outstanding immediately following such Series A Adjustment
Event and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common
Units Outstanding immediately prior to such Series A Adjustment
Event; and
ii. for each Special Distribution, the VWAP Price as of the
Series A Maturity Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as
applicable, shall be adjusted by adding to such VWAP Price the Fair
Market Value of the property distributed on a Common Unit in such
Special Distribution.
b. Solely for the purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion
Percentage for purposes of Section 5.13(b)(xi)(C) (in the event of
conversion or redemption following a Partnership Event Consummation Date)
and determining the Pre-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(a):
i. for each Series A Adjustment Event prior to the Partnership
Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date shall be adjusted by multiplying such VWAP Price
by a fraction, (i) the numerator of
Annex A-30
which shall be the number of Common Units Outstanding
immediately following such Series A Adjustment Event and (ii) the
denominator of which shall be the number of Common Units Outstanding
immediately prior to such Series A Adjustment Event; and
ii. for each Special Distribution prior to the Partnership
Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date shall be adjusted by adding to such VWAP Price the
Fair Market Value of the property distributed on a Common Unit in
such Special Distribution.
c. Solely for the purposes of determining the Post-Partnership Event
Accretion Multiple pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(b):
i. for each Series A Adjustment Event following the
Partnership Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Series
A Maturity Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as applicable,
shall be adjusted by multiplying such VWAP Price by a fraction, (i)
the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Successor
Securities outstanding immediately following such Series A
Adjustment Event and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the
number of shares of Successor Securities outstanding immediately
prior to such Series A Adjustment Event; and
ii. for each Special Distribution following the Partnership
Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity
Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as applicable, shall be
adjusted by adding to such VWAP Price the Fair Market Value of the
property distributed on a share of Successor Securities in such
Special Distribution.
For purposes of this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A)(c), references to Common
Units in the definitions of Series A Adjustment Event and Special
Distribution set forth in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A) shall refer to Successor
Securities.
(B) If, after the Series A Issuance Date and prior to the date of the
consummation of a Fundamental Change, a Series A Adjustment Event or a
Special Distribution occurs, then the calculation of the Fundamental Change
Redemption Consideration or the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration
shall be adjusted as provided in this Section 5.13(b)(xii)(B) and Sections
5.13(b)(xii)(C) and (D). Solely for the purposes of determining the
Trading Price Accretion Percentage for purposes of calculating the
Fundamental Change Conversion
Annex A-31
Consideration (in the event of a conversion) or the Fundamental
Change Redemption Consideration (in the event of a redemption):
a. for each Series A Adjustment Event, the VWAP Price as of the date of
the consummation of a Fundamental Change shall be adjusted by multiplying
such VWAP Price by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the
number of Common Units Outstanding immediately following such Series A
Adjustment Event and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of
Common Units Outstanding immediately prior to such Series A Adjustment
Event; and
b. for each Special Distribution, the VWAP Price as of the date of the
consummation of a Fundamental Change shall be adjusted by adding to such
VWAP Price the Fair Market Value of the property distributed on a Common
Unit in such Special Distribution.
(C) Subsequent adjustments to the applicable VWAP Price shall be made
successively in the order of occurrence of any Series A Adjustment Event or
Special Distribution whenever more than one Series A Adjustment Event or
Special Distribution occurs during an applicable period.
(D) If a Partnership Event, a Series A Adjustment Event or a Special
Distribution occurs during a ten Trading Day period used for purposes of
calculating a VWAP Price as of any particular date under any provision of
this Agreement, the Partnership shall make appropriate adjustments to the
VWAP Price to insure that the VWAP Price properly reflects the value of the
Common Units or Successor Securities, as applicable, as of any particular
date.
The first sentence of Section 6.1 of the Partnership Agreement is amended and restated in its
entirety to read as follows:
For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of
the Partners among themselves, the Partnerships items of income, gain, loss and
deduction (computed in accordance with 5.6(b)) shall be allocated (subject to
Section 5.13(b)) among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as
provided herein below.
Section 6.1(d)(ix) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
(ix) Redemption of Series A Preferred Units. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this 6.1 (other than the Regulatory Allocations), with respect to any
taxable period during which Series A Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to the
terms of Section 5.13(b), each Partner holding redeemed Series A Preferred Units
shall be allocated items of income, gain, loss and deduction in a manner that
results in the Capital Account balance of each such Partner attributable to its
Annex A-32
redeemed Series A Preferred Units immediately prior to such redemption (and
after taking into account any applicable Regulatory Allocations) to equal (i) the
amount of cash paid to such Partner in redemption of such Series A Preferred Units,
and (ii) the product of the number of Common Units received in the redemption and
the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Common Unit (but only to the
extent not otherwise achieved by operation of section 5.6(d)(ii)).
Section 6.2 of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add the following as Section
6.2(i) immediately following Section 6.2(h):
Section 6.2(i). If Capital Account balances are reallocated between the
Partners in accordance with Section 5.6(d)(i) hereof and Proposed Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(4), beginning with the year of reallocation
and continuing until the allocations required are fully taken into account, the
Partnership shall make corrective allocations (allocations of items of gross income
or gain or loss or deduction for federal income tax purposes that do not have a
corresponding book allocation) to take into account the Capital Account
reallocation, as provided in Proposed Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(4)(x).
Article VI of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add a new Section 6.6 as
follows:
Section 6.6 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Series A Preferred Units.
(A) A Unitholder holding a Series A Preferred Unit that has converted
into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.13 shall be required to provide
notice to the General Partner of the transfer of the converted Series A
Preferred Unit within the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days following such
transfer and (ii) the last Business Day of the calendar year during which
such transfer occurred, unless (x) the transfer is to an Affiliate of the
holder or (y) by virtue of the application of Section 5.6(d)(i), the General
Partner has previously determined, based on advice of counsel, that the
converted Series A Preferred Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like
intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial
Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.6,
the General Partner shall take whatever steps are required to provide
economic uniformity to the converted Series A Preferred Unit in preparation
for a transfer of such Units; provided, however, that no such steps may be
taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding
Common Units represented by Common Unit Certificates (for this purpose the
allocations of income, gain, loss and deductions with respect to Series A
Preferred Units or Common Units will be deemed not to have a material
adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units).
Annex A-33
(B) A Unitholder holding a Series A Preferred Unit that has converted
into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.13 shall not be permitted to
transfer, by assignment or otherwise, any such Common Unit until after 32
calendar days have elapsed from the date that the Series A Preferred Unit
was converted into such Common Unit.
(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this
Agreement, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units (a) shall (i) possess
the rights, preferences and privileges and the duties and obligations
provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to
Article III and Article VII and (ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner
pursuant to Section 5.6 and all other provisions related thereto and (b)
shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or
vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, except as provided in Section
5.13, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in
Section 5.13, Article VI or Article XII or (iii) be allocated items of
income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in Section 5.13 or
Article VI.
Article XII of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add a new Section 12.10 as
follows:
Section 12.10. Series A Liquidation Value. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units
shall have the rights, preferences and privileges set forth in Section 5.13(b)(iv)
upon liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XII.
The Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to eliminate any references therein to Class B
Units or Class C Units.
Ratification of Partnership Agreement. Except as expressly modified and amended
herein, all of the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full force
and effect.
Governing Law. This Amendment will be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware.
Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, all of which together
shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such
parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.
Annex A-34
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed as of the date first written above.
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GENERAL PARTNER:
LE GP, LLC
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By: |
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[Name], [Title] |
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LIMITED PARTNERS:
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as limited
partners of the Partnership, pursuant to Powers of Attorney
now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and
delivered to, the General Partner.
By: LE GP, LLC, General Partner of
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., as
attorney-in-fact for all Limited Partners pursuant to the
powers of Attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6 of the
Partnership Agreement. |
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By: |
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[Name], [Title] |
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Annex A-35
exv2w2
Exhibit 2.2
Execution Copy
REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.,
AND
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P.
MAY 10, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I |
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DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS |
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1.1 Definitions |
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2 |
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1.2 Interpretations |
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2 |
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ARTICLE II |
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REDEMPTION OF THE REDEEMED UNITS; EXCHANGE OF THE ACQUIRED INTERESTS; CLOSING |
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2.1 Redemption of the Redeemed Units |
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3 |
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2.2 Transfer of the Acquired Interests |
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3 |
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2.3 Time and Place of Closing |
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3 |
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2.4 Deliveries and Actions at Closing |
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3 |
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2.5 Consideration Adjustment |
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4 |
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2.6 Pro Ration Distributions |
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7 |
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2.7 Adjustment to Contribution Consideration |
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9 |
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ARTICLE III |
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETP |
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3.1 Organization; Qualification |
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9 |
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3.2 Authority; Enforceability |
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9 |
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3.3 Non-Contravention |
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10 |
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3.4 Governmental Approvals |
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11 |
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3.5 Capitalization |
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11 |
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3.6 Ownership of Acquired Interests |
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12 |
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3.7 Compliance with Law |
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13 |
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3.8 Title to Properties and Assets |
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13 |
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3.9 Rights-of-Way |
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13 |
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3.10 Financial Statements |
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14 |
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3.11 Absence of Certain Changes |
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14 |
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3.12 Environmental Matters |
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15 |
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3.13 Material Contracts |
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16 |
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3.14 Legal Proceedings |
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17 |
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3.15 Permits |
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17 |
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3.16 Taxes |
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17 |
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3.17 Employee Benefits |
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18 |
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3.18 Brokers Fee |
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18 |
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3.19 Regulatory Status |
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18 |
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3.20 Intellectual Property |
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18 |
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-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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3.21 Insurance |
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18 |
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3.22 Budget |
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19 |
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ARTICLE IV |
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETE |
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4.1 Organization; Qualification |
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19 |
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4.2 Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance |
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19 |
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4.3 Non-Contravention |
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20 |
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4.4 Governmental Approvals |
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20 |
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4.5 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired Interests |
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20 |
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4.6 Brokers Fee |
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20 |
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ARTICLE V |
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COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES |
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5.1 Conduct of the Companys Business |
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21 |
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5.2 Notice of Certain Events |
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21 |
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5.3 Access to Information |
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22 |
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5.4 Governmental Approvals |
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23 |
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5.5 Legends |
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23 |
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5.6 Expenses |
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24 |
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5.7 Further Assurances |
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24 |
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5.8 Public Statements |
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24 |
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5.9 Tax Matters |
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24 |
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ARTICLE VI |
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CONDITIONS TO CLOSING |
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6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party |
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25 |
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6.2 Conditions to Obligations of ETE |
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26 |
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6.3 Conditions to Obligations of ETP |
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26 |
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ARTICLE VII |
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TERMINATION RIGHTS |
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7.1 Termination Rights |
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26 |
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7.2 Effect of Termination |
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27 |
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ARTICLE VIII |
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INDEMNIFICATION |
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8.1 Indemnification by ETP |
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28 |
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8.2 Indemnification by ETE |
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28 |
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8.3 Limitations and Other Indemnity Claim Matters |
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29 |
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-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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Page |
8.4 Indemnification Procedures |
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31 |
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8.5 No Reliance |
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32 |
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ARTICLE IX |
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GOVERNING LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
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9.1 Governing Law |
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33 |
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9.2 Consent to Jurisdiction |
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33 |
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ARTICLE X |
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GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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10.1 Amendment and Modification |
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33 |
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10.2 Waiver of Compliance; Consents |
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33 |
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10.3 Notices |
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34 |
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10.4 Assignment |
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34 |
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10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries |
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34 |
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10.6 Entire Agreement |
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34 |
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10.7 Severability |
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34 |
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10.8 Representation by Counsel |
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35 |
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10.9 Disclosure Schedules |
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35 |
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10.10 Facsimiles; Counterparts |
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35 |
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-iii-
Exhibits
Exhibit A Definitions
Exhibit B Form of Assignment of Interest
Exhibit C Form of ETE Option Agreement
Exhibit D Excluded Items
Schedules
ETP Disclosure Schedules
Schedule 3.3(a) Non-Contravention (ETP)
Schedule 3.3(b) Non-Contravention (Company)
Schedule 3.4 Governmental Approvals
Schedule 3.5(a) Capitalization
Schedule 3.9 Rights-of-Way
Schedule 3.10(a) Financial Statements
Schedule 3.10(b) Financial Statement Preparation
Schedule 3.11 Absence of Certain Changes
Schedule 3.11(e) Development Plan
Schedule 3.12 Environmental Matters
Schedule 3.13 Material Contracts
Schedule 3.14 Legal Proceedings
Schedule 3.19 Regulatory Status
Schedule 3.21 Insurance
Schedule 3.22 Budget
ETE Disclosure Schedules
Schedule 4.3 Non-Contravention (ETE)
Schedule 4.4 Governmental Approvals
ETP Disclosure Schedules
Schedule 5.1 Conduct of the Companys Business
Schedule 6.1(a) Approvals
Schedule 6.1(c) Required Consents
-iv-
REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
This REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of May 10, 2010 (the
Execution Date), is made and entered into by and among Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership (ETE), and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(ETP).
Each of the parties to this Agreement is sometimes referred to individually in this Agreement
as a Party and all of the parties to this Agreement are sometimes collectively referred to in
this Agreement as the Parties.
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement dated as of March 1, 2007 (the Company LLC Agreement), of Midcontinent Express
Pipeline, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), by and between Kinder Morgan
Operating Limited Partnership A and ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline, L.L.C.;
WHEREAS, ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ETP (ETC III) owns a 49.9% membership interest in the
Company (the ETC III MEP Interest);
WHEREAS, ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ETP (ETC II) owns a 0.1% membership interest in the
Company (the ETC II MEP Interest);
WHEREAS, ETP desires to convey to ETE (a) all of the outstanding membership interests in ETC
III (the Acquired ETC III Interest) and (b) an option (the ETC II Option) to purchase all of
the outstanding membership interests in ETC II (the Acquired ETC II Interest and, together with
the Acquired ETC III Interest, the Acquired Interests) on the date that is one year and one day
following the Closing Date (the Option Closing Date) in exchange for the redemption of certain
limited partner interests of ETP held by ETE (the Redemption);
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof (the Regency GP Purchase Agreement), by and among Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership, ETE and ETE GP Acquirer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (ETE GP
Acquirer), subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, ETE (through ETE GP Acquirer)
has agreed to acquire (the Regency GP Purchase) (a) 100% of the membership interests in Regency
GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of RGPLP (defined below)
(RGPLLC), and (b) all of the outstanding limited partner interests in Regency GP LP, a Delaware
limited partnership (RGPLP) and the sole owner of the general partner interests of Regency Energy
Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Regency);
WHEREAS, immediately after the consummation of this Agreement and the Regency GP Purchase, and
subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Contribution Agreement to be
1
entered into by and among ETE, Regency and Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(Regency SPV) (the Regency Contribution Agreement), ETE desires to (i) contribute to Regency
(through Regency SPV), and Regency (through Regency SPV) desires to accept from ETE, the Acquired
ETC III Interest and (ii) assign, transfer and sell to Regency (through Regency SPV), and Regency
(through Regency SPV) desires to accept from ETE, the ETC II Option, in exchange for certain common
units representing limited partner interests of Regency as described therein.
A G R E E M E N T S
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants
contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties undertake and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined in the body of this
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Exhibit A. Capitalized terms defined
in the body of this Agreement are listed in Exhibit A with reference to the location of the
definitions of such terms in the body of this Agreement.
1.2 Interpretations. In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (a) the
singular includes the plural and vice versa; (b) reference to a Person includes such Persons
successors and assigns but, in the case of a Party, only if such successors and assigns are
permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such
Person in any other capacity; (c) reference to any gender includes each other gender;
(d) references to any Exhibit, Schedule, Section, Article, Annex, subsection and other subdivision
refer to the corresponding Exhibits, Schedules, Sections, Articles, Annexes, subsections and other
subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise; (e) references in any Section
or Article or definition to any clause means such clause of such Section, Article or definition;
(f) hereunder, hereof, hereto and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as
a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (g) the word or is not exclusive,
and the word including (in its various forms) means including without limitation; (h) each
accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning commonly applied to it in
accordance with GAAP; (i) references to days are to calendar days; and (j) all references to
money refer to the lawful currency of the United States. The Table of Contents and the Article and
Section titles and headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and
are not intended to be a part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
2
ARTICLE II
REDEMPTION OF THE REDEEMED UNITS; EXCHANGE OF THE ACQUIRED INTERESTS; CLOSING
2.1 Redemption of the Redeemed Units. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or due
waiver of the conditions contained in this Agreement, at the Closing ETE shall surrender to ETP for
redemption, and ETP shall accept for redemption from ETE, 12,273,830 ETP Common Units. The ETP
Common Units to be surrendered by ETE to ETP for redemption as contemplated herein are referred to
in this Agreement as the Redeemed Units.
2.2 Transfer of the Acquired Interests. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or due
waiver of the conditions contained in this Agreement, in exchange for the Redeemed Units at the
Closing, ETP shall (a) convey, assign, transfer and deliver to ETE, and ETE shall accept from ETP,
the Acquired ETC III Interest and (b) grant ETE the ETC II Option.
2.3 Time and Place of Closing. The closing of the redemption of the Redeemed Units in exchange
for the transfer of the Acquired Interests, the granting of the ETC II Option and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the Closing) will take place at the offices of
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77002 on the second Business
Day after all of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions which
by their terms are only capable of being satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction
or due waiver of those conditions) have been satisfied or waived by the Party or Parties entitled
to waive such conditions, unless another time, date and place are agreed to in writing by the
Parties. The date of the Closing is referred to in this Agreement as the Closing Date. The
Closing will be deemed effective as of 12:02 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the Closing Date.
2.4 Deliveries and Actions at Closing.
(a) ETE Deliveries and Actions. At the Closing, ETE will execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered, to ETP, each of the following documents, where the execution or
delivery of documents is contemplated, and will take or cause to be taken the following actions,
where the taking of actions is contemplated:
(i) Redeemed Units. Original unit certificates representing the ETP Common
Units comprising the Redeemed Units;
(ii) Estimated Consideration Adjustment. The amount, if any, required to be
paid by ETE at Closing pursuant to Section 2.5(b), by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated by ETP before Closing.
(iii) Assignment of Interest. A counterpart of an assignment (the Assignment
of Interest), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, evidencing
the conveyance, assignment, transfer and delivery to ETE of the Acquired ETC III Interest,
duly executed by ETE;
(iv) ETE Option Agreement. A counterpart of an option agreement, substantially
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the ETE Option Agreement),
3
evidencing ETEs option to acquire all of the outstanding membership interests in ETC II on the Option
Closing Date, duly executed by ETE; and
(b) ETP Deliveries and Actions. At the Closing, ETP will execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered, to ETE, each of the following documents, where the execution or
delivery of documents is contemplated, and will take or cause to be taken the following actions,
where the taking of actions is contemplated:
(i) Estimated Consideration Adjustment. The amount, if any, required to be
paid by ETP at Closing pursuant to Section 2.5(b), by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated by ETE before Closing;
(ii) Distribution Amounts. The amount, if any, required to be paid by ETP
pursuant to Section 2.6(a) and Section 2.6(b), by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by ETE;
(iii) FIRPTA Certificate. A certificate of ETP in the form specified in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b)(2)(iv) that ETP is not a foreign person within the
meaning of Section 1445 of the Code;
(iv) Assignment of Interest. A counterpart of the Assignment of Interest, duly
executed by ETP;
(v) ETE Option Agreement. A counterpart of the ETE Option Agreement, duly
executed by ETP; and
2.5 Consideration Adjustment.
(a) The Consideration Adjustment Amount shall be an amount determined as follows:
(i) The Consideration Adjustment Amount shall be increased by 49.9% of the amount (if
any) by which the Net Working Capital of the Company as of the Closing Date (Closing Date
Net Working Capital) exceeds negative $83,161,000 (the Net Working Capital Threshold);
(ii) The Consideration Adjustment Amount shall be decreased by 49.9% of the amount (if
any) by which the Net Working Capital Threshold exceeds Closing Date Net Working Capital;
(iii) The Consideration Adjustment Amount shall be decreased by 49.9% of the amount (if
any) by which the Long-Term Debt of the Company as of the Closing Date (Closing Date
Long-Term Debt) exceeds $798,836,000 (the Long-Term Debt Threshold);
(iv) The Consideration Adjustment Amount shall be increased by 49.9% of the amount (if
any) by which the Long-Term Debt Threshold exceeds Closing Date Long-Term Debt;
4
(v) The Consideration Adjustment Amount shall be increased by 49.9% of the Pre-Closing
Capex Amount.
(b) Not later than eleven Business Days prior to the Closing Date, ETP shall prepare and
deliver to ETE a preliminary settlement statement (the Estimated Adjustment Statement) setting
forth (i) an estimated balance sheet of the Company as of the Closing Date, which balance sheet
will be prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied consistently with the Companys past practices
(including its preparation of the Financial Statements) (the Estimated Closing Date Balance
Sheet) based on the most recent financial information of the Company reasonably available to ETP,
(ii) a calculation of the difference, if any, between the Net Working Capital shown on the
Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet (Estimated Net Working Capital) and the Net Working Capital
Threshold, (iii) a calculation of the difference, if any, between the Closing Date Long-Term Debt
shown on the Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet (Estimated Closing Date Long-Term Debt) and the
Long-Term Debt Threshold, (iv) an estimated calculation of the Pre-Closing Capex Amount (Estimated
Pre-Closing Capex Amount) and (v) an estimated calculation of the Consideration Adjustment Amount.
ETE shall have the right, following ETEs receipt of the Estimated Adjustment Statement, to object
thereto by delivering written notice to ETP no later than two Business Days before the Closing Date
(which objection may, at the discretion of ETE, include any objections of Regency delivered to ETE
in relation to the estimated adjustment statement delivered by ETE to Regency pursuant to the first
sentence of Section 2.5(b) of the Regency Contribution Agreement). To the extent ETE timely
objects to the Estimated Adjustment Statement (or any component thereof), ETE and ETP shall attempt
to resolve their differences (including by working with Regency to resolve any differences in
respect of the determinations to be made under Section 2.5(b) of the Regency Contribution
Agreement); provided that, if ETE and ETP (and, to the extent applicable, Regency) are unable to
resolve any such dispute prior to the Closing Date, then ETPs calculations as reflected in the
Estimated Adjustment Statement shall control for purposes of all payments to be made at Closing.
To the extent ETE and ETP resolve any of their differences prior to the Closing, then the Parties
shall jointly agree on a revised Estimated Adjustment Statement that will control for purposes of
the payments to be made at the Closing. The estimated Consideration Adjustment Amount that
controls for purposes of the payments to be made at the Closing is referred to herein as the
Estimated Consideration Adjustment Amount. If the Estimated Consideration Adjustment is (i) a
positive number, then at the Closing ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available funds the
amount of the Estimated Consideration Adjustment Amount to an account to be designated by ETP
before Closing, or (ii) a negative number, then at the Closing ETP shall wire transfer in
immediately available funds an amount equal to the absolute value of such Estimated Consideration
Adjustment Amount to an account to be designated by ETE before Closing.
(c) Not later than the 91st day following the Closing Date, ETE shall prepare and deliver to
ETP a statement (the Final Adjustment Statement) (which Final Adjustment Statement may, at the
discretion of ETE, be the same as the final adjustment statement delivered by Regency to ETE
pursuant to Section 2.5(c) of the Regency Contribution Agreement) setting forth (i) a balance sheet
of the Company as of the Closing Date, which balance sheet will be prepared in the same manner as
the Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet (the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet) based on the most
recent financial information of the Company reasonably available to ETE or Regency, (ii) a
calculation of the difference, if any, between the
5
Net Working Capital shown on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet and Estimated Net Working Capital, (iii) a calculation of the difference, if
any, between the Closing Date Long-Term Debt shown on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet and
Estimated Closing Date Long-Term Debt, (iv) a calculation of the actual Pre-Closing Capex Amount
(the Final Pre-Closing Capex Amount), together with a calculation showing the difference, if any,
between the Final Pre-Closing Capex Amount and the Estimated Pre-Closing Capex Amount and (v) the
final calculation of the Consideration Adjustment Amount. At any time during the 29-day period
following the receipt of the Final Adjustment Statement (the Review Period), ETP may deliver to
ETE a written report containing any changes that ETP proposes be made to the Final Adjustment
Statement (such written report, an Objection Notice). ETE shall provide to ETP such
documentation and other data that is in its possession or that it has the right to obtain from
Regency pursuant to Section 2.5(c) of the Regency Contribution Agreement, and, during normal
business hours, access to its and the Companys officers, employees, agents and other personnel as
is reasonably necessary to enable ETP to appropriately review the Final Adjustment Statement,
including preparing a Final Closing Date Balance Sheet and making the calculations set forth in the
first sentence of this Section 2.5(c). ETP shall be deemed to have waived any rights to
object to the Final Adjustment Statement unless ETP delivers an Objection Notice to ETE within the
Review Period and, if the Review Period expires without ETP so delivering an Objection Notice, then
the Final Adjustment Statement shall become final and binding for all purposes of this Agreement.
If ETP delivers an Objection Notice to ETE during the Review Period, then ETP and ETE shall attempt
to agree on the amount of the actual Consideration Adjustment Amount, including by working with
Regency to determine the actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amount (as such term is defined in the
Regency Contribution Agreement); provided that ETE shall have no obligation to agree on the amount
of the actual Consideration Adjustment Amount so long as Regency has not agreed to the actual
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. If such Parties cannot reach agreement within 30 days after the
date on which ETP delivered such Objection Notice to ETE, the Parties and Regency, if applicable,
shall refer the remaining disputed matters necessary to the final determination of the
Consideration Adjustment Amount to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or if PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is
unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under this Section 2.5(c), such other
nationally-recognized independent accounting firm as is mutually agreed on by ETE and ETP (the
Accounting Firm). The Accounting Firm shall, if requested by ETE and ETP, resolve any disputes
under this Section 2.5(c) as well as any disputes under Section 2.5(c) of the Regency Contribution
Agreement. Each Party shall deliver simultaneously to the Accounting Firm (i) the Objection Notice
and such work papers, invoices and other reports and information relating to the disputed matters
as the Accounting Firm may request and (ii) such Partys proposed resolution of the disputed
matters and any materials it wishes to present to justify the resolution it so presents. Each
Party shall be afforded the opportunity to discuss the disputed matters with the Accounting Firm.
The Accounting Firm shall act as an expert (and not as an arbitrator) for the limited purpose of
determining the specific disputed matters necessary to the final determination of the Consideration
Adjustment Amount submitted by either ETP or ETE to the Accounting Firm, and whether and to what
extent, if any, the Consideration Adjustment Amount requires adjustment as a result of the
resolution of those disputed matters (applying GAAP consistently with the Companys past
practices). The Accounting Firm may not award damages or penalties and shall not have authority to
address matters not in dispute between the Parties or necessary to the determination of the final
Consideration Adjustment Amount. The Accounting Firms
6
determination shall be made within 30 days
after submission of the disputed matters and shall be final and binding on all Parties, without
right of appeal. In determining the proper amount of the Consideration Adjustment Amount, the
Accounting Firm shall not increase the Consideration Adjustment Amount more than the increase
proposed by ETP nor decrease the Consideration Adjustment Amount more than the decrease proposed by
ETE, as applicable. Each Party shall each bear its own legal fees and other costs of presenting
its case to the Accounting Firm. ETP shall bear all of the costs and expenses of the Accounting
Firm incurred in resolving such disputed matters that are allocated to ETE or ETP, taking into
account costs and expenses to be borne by Regency in accordance with Section 2.5(c) of the
Regency Contribution Agreement. The Consideration Adjustment Amount as finally determined pursuant
to this Section 2.5(c) shall be referred to as the Final Consideration Adjustment Amount.
(d) Within ten days after the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Review Period without
delivery of any Objection Notice and (ii) the date on which ETP, ETE or the Accounting Firm, as
applicable, finally determine the actual Consideration Adjustment Amount (A) if the Final
Consideration Adjustment Amount exceeds the Estimated Consideration Adjustment Amount (such excess,
the ETP Adjustment Payment), ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available funds an amount
equal to the ETP Adjustment Payment to an account designated by ETP, and (B) if the Estimated
Consideration Adjustment Amount exceeds the Final Consideration Adjustment Amount (such excess, the
ETE Adjustment Payment), ETP shall wire transfer in immediately available funds an amount equal
to the ETE Adjustment Payment to an account designated by ETE.
2.6 Pro Ration of Distributions.
(a) If the Closing occurs after the last day of the calendar quarter (the Preceding Quarter)
immediately prior to the calendar quarter (the Closing Quarter) in which the Closing Date occurs
but prior to the Record Date for the distribution in respect of the Preceding Quarter, then at the
Closing ETP shall wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by ETE
before Closing the following:
(i) an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Redeemed Units multiplied by
(B) $0.89375 (unless prior to the Closing, ETP shall have declared its distribution in
respect of the Preceding Quarter, in which event such number in this clause (II) shall be
the amount declared per ETP Common Unit) (such amount being referred to herein as the
Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount);
(ii) an amount equal to $6,013,274 (the GP/IDR Distribution Amount);
(iii) an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Redeemed Units multiplied by
(B) the product of (I) $0.89375 times (II) a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is the
number of days in the Closing Quarter commencing on the first day of the Closing Quarter and
ending on and including the Closing Date and (2) the denominator of which is the total
number of days in the Closing Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (iii)
being referred to herein as the Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount);
and
7
(iv) the product of (A) the GP/IDR Distribution Amount times (B) a fraction (I) the
numerator of which is the number of days in the Closing Quarter commencing on the first day
of the Closing Quarter and ending on and including the Closing Date and (II) the denominator
of which is the total number of days in the Closing Quarter (the amount determined pursuant
to this clause (iv), the Pro Rata Closing Quarter GP/IDR Distribution Amount).
(b) If the Closing occurs after the Record Date for the distribution in respect of
the Preceding Quarter, then at the Closing ETP shall wire transfer in immediately available funds
an amount equal to the sum of the Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount and the
Pro Rata Closing Quarter GP/IDR Distribution Amount to an account designated by ETP before Closing.
(c) If the Closing occurs within the period specified in Section 2.6(a),
unless the actual declared per unit distribution in respect of the Preceding Quarter is used to
determine the Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount, then not later than the second
Business Day following ETPs declaration of its distribution in respect of the Preceding Quarter,
ETP shall prepare and deliver to ETE a calculation of the Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution
Amount (as defined below). Within two Business Days of the delivery to ETE of such calculation,
(i) if the Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount exceeds the Estimated Preceding Quarter
Distribution Amount, then ETP shall wire transfer in immediately available funds the amount of such
excess to an account designated by ETE and (ii) if the Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution
Amount exceeds the Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount, then ETE shall wire transfer in
immediately available funds the amount of such excess to an account designated by ETP.
(d) Not later than the second Business Day following ETPs declaration of its distribution in
respect of the Closing Quarter, ETP shall prepare and deliver to ETE a calculation of the Actual
Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount (as defined below). Within two Business Days of the
delivery of such calculation, (i) if the Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount
exceeds the Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount, ETP shall wire transfer in
immediately available funds an amount equal to such excess to an account designated by ETE and (ii)
if the Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount exceeds the Actual Pro Rata Closing
Quarter Distribution Amount, ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available funds an amount equal
to such excess to an account designated by ETP.
(e) Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount means the product of (i) the number of
Redeemed Units multiplied by (ii) the actual per-unit distribution declared on the ETP Common Units
in respect of the Preceding Quarter.
(f) Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount means the product of (i) the number
of Redeemed Units multiplied by (ii) the actual per-unit distribution declared on the ETP Common
Units in respect of the Closing Quarter multiplied by (iii) a fraction, (A) the numerator of which
is the number of days in the Closing Quarter commencing on the first day of such quarter and ending
on and including the Closing Date and (B) the denominator of which is the total number of days in
the Closing Quarter.
8
2.7 Adjustment to Contribution Consideration. All amounts to be paid by ETP to ETE pursuant
to Section 2.6 shall be deemed to be adjustments to the Consideration Adjustment Amount.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETP
ETP hereby represents and warrants to ETE as follows:
3.1 Organization; Qualification. Each of ETP, ETC III, ETC II and the Company is an entity duly
formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all
requisite organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry
on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified, registered or licensed to do
business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the property
owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so duly qualified, registered or licensed
and in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or
to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents to which ETP is, or will be, a party or to materially impair ETPs ability to perform its
obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party. ETP has made
available to ETE true and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of ETC III, ETC II and
the Company, as in effect on the Execution Date.
3.2 Authority; Enforceability.
(a) ETP has the requisite partnership power and authority to execute and deliver the
Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party, and to consummate the transactions
contemplated thereby. The execution and delivery by ETP of the Transaction Documents to which ETP
is, or will be, a party, and the consummation by ETP of the transactions contemplated thereby, have
been duly and validly authorized by ETP, and no other limited partnership proceedings on the part
of ETP are necessary to authorize the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party or
to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will
be, a party.
(b) The Transaction Documents to which ETP is, or will be, a party have been (or will be, when
executed and delivered at the Closing) duly executed and delivered by ETP, and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Transaction Document to which ETP is, or will be, a party constitutes (or will constitute,
when executed and delivered at the Closing) the valid and binding agreement of ETP, enforceable
against ETP in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws
relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to legal
principles of general applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including
principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) (collectively, Creditors
Rights).
9
3.3 Non-Contravention.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) of the ETP Disclosure Schedule, the
execution, delivery and performance by ETP of the Transaction Documents to which ETP is, or will
be, a party and the consummation by ETP of the transactions contemplated thereby do not and will
not: (i) result in any breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of ETP; (ii)
constitute a default (or an event that with notice or passage of time or both would give rise to a
default) under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration
(with or without the giving of notice, or the passage of time or both) under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any Contract to which ETP is a party or by which any property or asset
of ETP is bound or affected; (iii) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section
3.4, violate any Law to which ETP is subject or by which any of ETPs properties or assets is
bound, except, in the cases of clauses (ii) and (iii) for such defaults or rights of termination,
cancellation, amendment or acceleration or violations as would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which ETP is, or will be, a party or to
materially impair ETPs ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which
it is, or will be, a party.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(b) of the ETP Disclosure Schedule, the
execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which ETP is, or will be, a
party by ETP and the consummation by ETP of the transactions contemplated thereby do not and will
not: (i) result in any breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of ETC III, ETC II
or the Company; (ii) constitute a default (or an event that with the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both would give rise to a default) under, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration (with or without the giving of notice, or the
passage of time or both) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which
ETC III, ETC II or the Company is a party or by which any property or assets of ETC III, ETC II or
the Company is bound or affected; (iii) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in
Section 3.4, violate any Law to which ETC III, ETC II or the Company is subject or by
which any of ETC IIIs, ETC IIs or the Companys properties or assets is bound; (iv) constitute
(with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) an event which would result
in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any asset of ETC III, ETC II or the
Company; or (v) cause ETC III, ETC II or the Company to become subject to, or to become liable for
the payment of, any Tax, except, in the cases of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such
defaults or rights of termination, cancellation, amendment, or acceleration, violations or
Liens, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.4 Governmental Approvals. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4 of the ETP Disclosure
Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, or authorization, consent or
approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by ETP of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party, other
than (a) filings under the HSR Act, if any, and (b) such other declarations, filings,
registrations, notices, authorizations, consents or approvals that have been obtained or made or
that would in the ordinary course be made or obtained after the Closing, or which, if not obtained
or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or to prevent
or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
10
Transaction Documents to which ETP is, or will be, a party or to materially impair ETPs ability to perform its
obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party.
3.5 Capitalization.
(a) Schedule 3.5(a) of the ETP Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the Execution
Date, a correct and complete description of the following: (i) all of the issued and outstanding
membership interests of ETC III, ETC II and the Company and (ii) the record owners of the
membership interests of ETC III, ETC II and the Company. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.5(a) of the ETP Disclosure Schedule, there are no other outstanding equity
interests of the Company.
(b) (i) At the Closing, the Acquired ETC III Interest (A) will constitute 100% of the issued
and outstanding membership interests of ETC III, (B) will have been duly authorized, validly issued
and fully paid (to the extent required under the ETC III LLC Agreement) and will be nonassessable
(except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 of the Delaware LLC Act) and (C)
will not have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other
similar rights of any Person.
(ii) At the Closing, the Acquired ETC II Interest (A) will constitute 100% of the issued
and outstanding membership interests of ETC II, (B) will have been duly authorized, validly
issued and fully paid (to the extent required under the ETC II LLC Agreement) and will be
nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 of the
Delaware LLC Act) and (C) will not have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights,
rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.
(c) The ETC III MEP Interest (i) constitutes 49.9% of the issued and outstanding membership
interests of the Company, (ii) has been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid (to the
extent required under the Company Agreement) and is nonassessable (except as such nonassessability
may be affected by Section 18-607 of the Delaware LLC Act) and (iii) was not issued in violation of
any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person. The ETC III MEP Interest is owned beneficially and of record by ETC III, free and
clear of all Liens other than (i) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities
laws and (ii) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of the Company.
(d) The ETC II MEP Interest (i) constitutes 0.1% of the issued and outstanding membership
interests of the Company, (ii) has been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid (to the
extent required under the Company LLC Agreement) and is nonassessable (except as such
nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 of the Delaware LLC Act) and (iii) was not
issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of
any Person. The ETC II MEP Interest is owned beneficially and of record by ETC II, free and clear
of all Liens other than (i) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws
and (ii) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of the Company.
(e) Except as set forth in the ETE Option Agreement or the Company LLC Agreement, there are no
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other outstanding rights,
11
options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements,
arrangements, calls, subscription agreements, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate ETC
III, ETC II or the Company to issue or sell any equity interests or any securities or obligations
convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person a right to subscribe for
or acquire, any equity interests in ETC III, ETC II or the Company, and no securities or
obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding. There are no preemptive
rights, rights of first refusal or other outstanding options, warrants, conversion rights,
redemption rights, repurchase rights, calls or subscription agreements pursuant to the Company LLC
Agreement or any other agreement to which ETC III, ETC II or the Company is a party that is or will
be exercisable in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(f) None of ETC III, ETC II or the Company has outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or
other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable
for securities having the right to vote) with the holders of equity interests in ETC III, ETC II or
the Company on any matter.
(g) As of the Execution Date, none of ETC III, ETC II or the Company owns any equity interest
in any other Person except for (i) ETC IIIs ownership of the ETC III MEP Interest and (ii) ETC
IIs ownership of the ETC II MEP Interest.
3.6 Ownership of Acquired Interests.
(a) (i) ETP has good and valid title to the Acquired ETC III Interest, free and clear of all
Liens other than (A) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws and (B)
any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of ETC III.
(ii) ETP has good and valid title to the Acquired ETC II Interest, free and clear of
all Liens other than (A) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities
laws, (B) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of ETC II and
(C) the ETC II Option.
(b) (i) Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, ETP will
assign, convey, transfer and deliver to ETE good and valid title to the Acquired ETC III Interest,
free and clear of all Liens other than (A) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state
securities laws, (B) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of ETC III
and (C) any Liens on the Acquired ETC III Interest as a result of actions by ETE.
(ii) Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the ETE Option Agreement,
ETP will assign, convey, transfer and deliver to ETE good and valid title to the Acquired
ETC II Interest, free and clear of all Liens other than (A) any transfer restrictions
imposed by federal and state securities laws, (B) any transfer restrictions contained in the
Organizational Documents of ETC II and (C) any Liens on the Acquired ETC II Interest as a
result of actions by ETE.
(c) ETP is not a party to any agreements, arrangements or commitments obligating ETP to grant,
deliver or sell, or cause to be granted, delivered or sold, the Acquired Interests, by
12
sale,
lease, license or otherwise, other than (i) this Agreement, (ii) the ETE Option Agreement to be executed
at Closing and (iii) the purchase rights in favor of certain members of the Company set forth in
Section 3.6(b) of the Company LLC Agreement.
(d) There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings to which ETP is
bound with respect to the voting of the Acquired Interests.
3.7 Compliance with Law. Except for Environmental Laws, Laws requiring the obtaining or
maintenance of a Permit and Tax matters, which are the subject of Sections 3.12,
3.15 and 3.16, respectively, and except as to matters that would not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) the Company is in compliance with all
applicable Laws, (b) the Company has not received written notice of any violation of any applicable
Law and (c) to the Knowledge of ETP, the Company is not under investigation by any Governmental
Authority for potential non-compliance with any Law.
3.8 Title to Properties and Assets. Except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company has title to or rights or interests in its real
property and personal property, free and clear of all Liens (subject to Permitted Liens),
sufficient to allow it to conduct its business as currently being conducted or as will be conducted
immediately following completion of the MEP Expansion Project.
3.9 Rights-of-Way. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9 of the ETP Disclosure Schedule,
(a) the Company has such Rights-of-Way from each Person as are necessary to use, own and operate
the Companys assets in the manner such assets are currently used, owned and operated by the
Company or as will be used, owned or operated by the Company immediately following completion of
the MEP Expansion Project, (b) the Company has fulfilled and performed all of its
obligations with respect to such Rights-of-Way and (c) no event has occurred that allows, or
after the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would allow, revocation or termination
thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Rights-of-Way.
3.10 Financial Statements.
(a) Attached hereto as Schedule 3.10(a) of the ETP Disclosure Schedule are true and
complete copies of the following financial statements (collectively, the Company Financial
Statements): (i) an audited balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and the related
audited statements of income, changes in owners equity and cash flows for the 12-month period then
ended and (ii) an unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2010 and the related
unaudited statements of income, changes in owners equity and cash flows for the quarterly period
then ended (the Interim Financial Statements).
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10(b) of the ETP Disclosure Schedule, the
Company Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods presented thereby and fairly present in all material respects the
financial position and operating results, equity and cash flows of the Company as of, and for the
periods ended on, the respective dates thereof, subject, however, in the case of the
13
Interim Financial Statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and accruals and the absence of notes
and other textual disclosures required by GAAP.
(c) The Company does not have any liability, whether accrued, contingent, absolute or
otherwise, except for (i) liabilities set forth on the balance sheet of the Company dated as of
March 31, 2010 or the notes thereto, (ii) liabilities that have arisen since March 31, 2010 in the
ordinary course of business and (iii) liabilities that would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Neither ETC III nor ETC II has any assets or liabilities other than the ETC III MEP
Interest and ETC II MEP Interest, respectively.
3.11 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11 of the ETP
Disclosure Schedule or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 2009, the
business of the Company has been conducted in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with
past practice and there has not been:
(a) any event, occurrence or development which has had, or would be reasonably expected to
have, a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) purchase any securities or ownership interests of, or make any investment in, any Person,
other than ordinary course overnight investments consistent with the cash management policies of
the Company;
(c) any transaction by the Company that required Special Consent (as such term is defined in
the Company LLC Agreement), other than the incurrence of indebtedness pursuant to the Company
Credit Facility in accordance with its terms existing on the Execution Date;
(d) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividends on or distributions in respect
of any equity interests or other securities of the Company;
(e) any capital expenditure in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate, except (i) [in accordance
with the Development Plan (as such term is defined in the Company LLC Agreement) included as
Schedule 3.11(e) of the ETP Disclosure Schedule], (ii) in accordance with a Budget (as such
term is defined in the Company LLC Agreement) approved in accordance with the Company LLC Agreement
prior to the Execution Date and disclosed to ETE, (iii) in accordance with the draft budget
included as Schedule 3.22 of the ETP Disclosure Schedule, (iv) maintenance capital
expenditures required on an emergency basis or for the safety of individuals or the environment, or
(v) any capital expenditure as disclosed in the Interim Financial Statements;
(f) any material change to the Companys tax methods, principles or elections; or
(g) any agreement by the Company to do any of the foregoing.
3.12 Environmental Matters. Except as to matters set forth on Schedule 3.12 of the ETP
Disclosure Schedule and except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect:
14
(a) the Company is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(b) the Company possesses all Permits required under Environmental Laws for its operations as
currently conducted and is in compliance with the terms of such Permits, and such Permits are in
full force and effect;
(c) the Company and its properties and operations are not subject to any pending or, to the
Knowledge of ETP, threatened Proceeding arising under any Environmental Law, nor has the Company
received any written and pending notice, order or complaint from any Governmental Authority
alleging a violation of or liability arising under any Environmental Law;
(d) ETP has made available to ETE complete and correct copies of all material environmental
site assessment reports and studies relating to the Company that are in the possession of ETP and,
to ETPs Knowledge, there are no other such reports or studies in existence; and
(e) to the Knowledge of ETP, there has been no Release of Hazardous Substances on, at, under,
to, or from any of the properties of the Company, or from or in connection with the Companys
operations in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability pursuant to
any Environmental Law.
3.13 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13 of the ETP Disclosure Schedule, as of the
Execution Date, the Company is not party to or bound by any Contract that:
(i) relates to (A) the purchase of materials, supplies, goods, services or other
assets, (B) the purchase, sale, transporting, gathering, processing, or storing of natural
gas, condensate or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons or the products therefrom, or the
provision of services related thereto or (C) the construction of capital assets, in the
cases of clauses (A), (B) and (C) that (1) provides for either (x) annual payments by the
Company in excess of $500,000 or (y) aggregate payments by the Company in excess of
$1,000,000 and (2) cannot be terminated by the Company on 90 days or less notice without
payment by the Company of any material penalty;
(ii) is a firm natural gas transportation Contract;
(iii) contains any provision or covenant, which after the Closing will apply to the
business of the Company, materially restricting the Company from engaging in any lawful
business activity or competing with any Person;
(iv) (A) relates to the creation, incurrence, assumption, or guarantee of any
indebtedness for borrowed money by the Company or (B) creates a capitalized lease
obligation;
(v) relates to any commodity or interest rate swap, cap or collar agreements or other
similar hedging or derivative transactions;
15
(vi) is in respect of the formation of any partnership or joint venture or otherwise
relates to the joint ownership or operation of the assets owned by the Company;
(vii) includes the acquisition or sale of assets with a book value in excess of
$1,000,000 (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise);
(viii) any Contract or commitment that involves a sharing of profits, losses, costs or
liabilities by the Company with any other Person; and
(ix) otherwise involves the payment by or to the Company of more than $250,000 in the
aggregate and cannot be terminated by the Company on 90 days or less notice without payment
by the Company of any material penalty.
(b) Each Contract required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 3.13(a) (collectively,
the Company Material Contracts) is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, and is in full
force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Company and, to the
Knowledge of ETP, the other parties thereto, except, in each case, as enforcement may be limited by
Creditors Rights. ETP has made available to ETE a true and complete copy of each
Company Material Contract to which ETP has the right to provide to ETE pursuant to the
Organizational Documents of the Company.
(c) None of the Company nor, to the Knowledge of ETP, any other party to any Company Material
Contract is in default or breach in any material respect under the terms of any Company Material
Contract and no event has occurred that with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both
would constitute a breach or default in any material respect by the Company or, to the Knowledge of
ETP, any other party to any Company Material Contract, or would permit termination, modification or
acceleration under any Company Material Contract.
(d) As of the Execution Date, to the Knowledge of ETP, the Company has not received notice
that any current supplier, shipper or customer intends to amend or discontinue a business
relationship (including termination of a Company Material Contract) with the Company that could
reasonably be expected to generate revenues for the Company or pursuant to which the Company could
reasonably be expected to incur costs, in either case of $1,000,000 or more in the aggregate.
3.14 Legal Proceedings. Other than with respect to Proceedings arising under Environmental Laws
which are the subject of Section 3.12 or as is set forth on Schedule 3.14 of ETP
Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of ETP, threatened
against the Company, except such Proceedings as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which ETP is, or will be, a party or to materially
impair ETPs ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which its is, or
will be, a party.
3.15 Permits. Other than with respect to Permits issued pursuant to or required under
Environmental Laws that are the subject of Section 3.12, the Company has all Permits as are
necessary to use, own and operate its assets in the manner such assets are currently used, owned
16
and operated by the Company or that will be used, owned or operated by the Company immediately
following completion of the MEP Expansion Project, except where the failure to have such Permits
would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.16 Taxes. (a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to ETC III, ETC II and
the Company have been filed and all such Tax Returns are complete and correct in all material
respects and all material Taxes due relating to ETC III, ETC II and the Company have been paid in
full. There are no claims (other than claims being contested in good faith through appropriate
proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP) against ETC
III, ETC II or the Company for any Taxes, and no assessment, deficiency, or adjustment has been
asserted or proposed in writing with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns of or with respect to ETC
III, ETC II or the Company.
(b) No tax audits or administrative or judicial proceedings are being conducted or are pending
with respect to ETC III, ETC II or the Company.
(c) All material Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited by or with respect to
ETC III, ETC II or the Company have been timely withheld, collected or deposited as the case may
be, and to the extent required, have been paid to the relevant taxing authority.
(d) There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the applicable statutory periods
of limitation for any material Taxes associated with the ownership or operation of the assets of
ETC III, ETC II or the Company for any period.
(e) None of ETC III, ETC II or the Company is a party to any Tax sharing agreement.
(f) ETP is not a foreign person as defined in Section 1445(f)(3) of the Code, and the rules
and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or an entity disregarded as separate from its
owner for United States federal income tax purposes.
(g) The Company has in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code.
(h) None of ETC III, ETC II or the Company, has engaged in a transaction that would be
reportable by or with respect to ETC III, ETC II or the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulation §
1.6011-4 or any predecessor thereto.
(i) For each taxable year since its formation, each of the Company, ETC III and ETC II is, or
has been, properly classified as a partnership or an entity disregarded as separate from its owner
for United States federal income tax purposes. None of the Company, ETC III or ETC II has made an
election pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(c) to be treated as an association
taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
(j) For each taxable year of the Company beginning after December 31, 2005, at least 90% of
the gross income of the Company has been income that is qualifying income within the meaning of
Section 7704(d) of the Code. ETP expects that at least 90% of the gross income of the Company will
be income that is qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Code for the
taxable year ending on December 31, 2010.
17
3.17 Employee Benefits. None of the Company, ETC III or ETC II employs or has ever employed any
employees. None of the Company, ETC III or ETC II or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
sponsors, maintains, contributes to or has an obligation to contribute to, or has, or will have, at
any time within the six years immediately preceding the Closing Date sponsored, maintained,
contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to, any employee benefit plans (within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA or any stock purchase, stock option, severance, employment,
change-in-control, fringe benefit, collective bargaining, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation,
employee loan or any other employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies or other
arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA. None the Company, ETC III or ETC II has or could
reasonably be expected to have any present liability, nor do any circumstances exist that could
reasonably be expected to result in the Company, ETC III or ETC II having any future material liabilities with respect to any current or former employees of
ETP or any of its Affiliates.
3.18 Brokers Fee. Except for the fee payable to RBS Securities, Inc. which shall be paid by ETP,
no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any brokers,
finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of ETP.
3.19 Regulatory Status. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 of the ETP Disclosure
Schedule, there are no currently effective tariffs authorized and approved by the FERC as of the
date of this Agreement applicable to the Company, or currently pending material rate filings,
certificate applications, or other filings that relate to the Company made with FERC prior to the
date of this Agreement. The Company (i) has all necessary approvals from FERC to provide service
to customers pursuant to the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended,
and (ii) has made all required FERC filings necessary to offer such service, except where failure
to have any such approval or to have made any such filing would not reasonably be expected to have
a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.20 Intellectual Property. The Company owns or has the right to use pursuant to license,
sublicense, agreement or otherwise all material items of Intellectual Property required in the
operation of the business as presently conducted; (b) no third party has asserted in writing
delivered to the Company an unresolved claim that the Company is infringing on the Intellectual
Property of such third party and (c) to the Knowledge of ETP, no third party is infringing on the
Intellectual Property owned by the Company.
3.21 Insurance. Schedule 3.21 to the ETP Disclosure Schedule contains, as of the Execution
Date, a complete and correct list of all liability, property, fire, casualty, product liability,
workers compensation and other insurance policies, if any, that are in full force and effect as of
the Execution Date that insure or relate to the assets of the Company (the Company Policies). To
the Knowledge of ETP, as of the Execution Date there is no claim, suit or other matter currently
pending in respect of which the Company has received any notice from the insurer under any Company
Policies disclaiming coverage, reserving rights with respect to a particular claim or such Company
Policy in general or canceling or materially amending any such Company Policy. To the Knowledge of
ETE, all premiums due and payable for such Company Policies have been duly paid, and such Company
Policies or extensions or renewals
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thereof in the amounts described will be outstanding and duly in full force without interruption until the Closing Date.
3.22 Budget. Attached as Schedule 3.22 of the ETP Disclosure Schedule is the draft budget of the
Company for fiscal year 2010 as of the Execution Date.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETE
ETE hereby represents and warrants to ETP as follows:
4.1 Organization; Qualification. ETE is an entity duly formed, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite organizational power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted, and is duly qualified, registered or licensed to do business as a foreign entity and is
in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the
nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure
to be so duly qualified, registered or licensed and in good standing would not reasonably be
expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party
or to materially impair the ability of ETE to perform its obligations under the Transaction
Documents to which it is, or will be, a party. ETE has made available to ETP true and complete
copies of the Organizational Documents of ETE, as in effect on the Execution Date.
4.2 Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance.
(a) ETE has the requisite partnership power and authority to execute and deliver the
Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party, and to consummate the transactions
contemplated thereby. The execution and delivery by ETE of the Transaction Documents to which it
is, or will be, a party, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby, have
been duly and validly authorized by ETE, and no other limited partnership proceedings on the part
of ETE are necessary to authorize the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party or
to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will
be, a party.
(b) The Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will be, a party have been (or will be, when
executed and delivered at the Closing) duly executed and delivered by ETE, and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Transaction Document to
which ETE is, or will be, a party constitutes (or will constitute, when executed and delivered at
the Closing) the valid and binding agreement of ETE, enforceable against ETE in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Creditors Rights.
(c) The redemption of the Redeemed Units pursuant to this Agreement has been duly authorized
by ETE and there are no liens, claims, encumbrances, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal,
options, calls or other similar rights of any Person with respect to the Redeemed Units, other than
those set forth in the ETP Partnership Agreement.
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4.3 Non-Contravention. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 of the ETE Disclosure
Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or
will be, a party and the consummation by ETE of the transactions contemplated thereby does not and
will not: (a) result in any breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of ETE; (b)
constitute a default (or an event that with notice or passage of time or both would give rise to a
default) under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration
(with or without the giving of notice, or the passage of time or both) under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any Contract to which ETE is a party or by which any property or asset
of ETE is bound or affected; (c) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section
4.4, violate any Law to which ETE is subject or by which any of ETEs properties or assets is
bound; or (d) constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) an
event which would result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any asset of
ETE, except, in the cases of clauses (b), (c) and (d), for such defaults or rights of termination,
cancellation, amendment, acceleration, violations or Liens as would not reasonably be expected to
have an ETE Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will be, a party or to
materially impair ETEs ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which
it is, or will be, a party.
4.4 Governmental Approvals. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 of the ETE Disclosure
Schedule no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, or authorization, consent or
approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by ETE of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it, or will be, a party, other than
(a) filings under the HSR Act and (b) such other declarations, filings, registrations, notices,
authorizations, consents or approvals that have been obtained or made or that would in the ordinary
course of business be made or obtained after the Closing, or which, if not obtained or made, would
not reasonably be expected to have an ETE Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or
will be, a party or to materially impair ETEs ability to perform its obligations under the
Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party.
4.5
Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired Interests. ETE has undertaken such
investigation as it has deemed necessary to enable it to make an informed and intelligent decision
with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the acquisition of
the Acquired Interests. ETE has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from ETP
regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Acquired Interests and the business,
properties, prospects, and financial condition of the Company (to the extent ETP possessed such
information). The foregoing, however, does not modify the representations and warranties of ETP in
Article III and such representations and warranties constitute the sole and exclusive
representations and warranties of ETP to ETE in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(b) ETE is an Eligible Person (as such term is defined in the Company LLC Agreement).
4.6 Brokers Fee. Except for the fee payable to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC which shall be
paid by ETE , no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is
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entitled to any brokers finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of ETE.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
5.1 Conduct of the Companys Business. From the Execution Date through the Closing, except as
described in Schedule 5.1 to the ETP Disclosure Schedule or consented to or approved in
writing by ETE, which consent or approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or
delayed (provided that no such consent or approval shall be considered to be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed as a result of ETEs compliance with any covenant in the Regency
Contribution Agreement), ETP shall not take, and shall cause ETC III and ETC II not to take, any
action to amend the Company LLC Agreement (except as may be required by Section 3.8 of the
Company LLC Agreement) or to approve, or cause ETC III and ETC II to approve, the taking by the
Company of the following actions:
(a) any matters that require Special Consent (as such term is defined in the Company LLC
Agreement) pursuant to Section 6.3(b) of the Company LLC Agreement, other than the
incurrence of indebtedness pursuant to the Company Credit Facility in accordance with its terms
existing on the Execution Date;
(b) purchase any securities or ownership interests of, or make any investment in, any Person,
other than ordinary course overnight investments consistent with the cash management policies of
the Company;
(c) make any capital expenditure in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate, except (i) [in
accordance with the Development Plan (as such term is defined in the Company LLC
Agreement)], (ii) in accordance with a Budget (as defined in the Company LLC Agreement)
approved in accordance with the Company LLC Agreement prior to the Execution Date and disclosed to
ETE or (iii) as required on an emergency basis or for the safety of individuals or the environment;
(d) make any material change to the Companys tax methods, principles or elections; or
(e) agree or commit to take any of the actions described above.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 5.1
shall prohibit ETP from taking any action, or approving the taking by ETC III and ETC II or the
Company of any action, if, prior to taking such action, or approving the taking of such action, ETP
determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to take such
action, or to approve the taking of such action, would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent the
implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing imposed on ETC III and ETC II, as
applicable, in its capacity as a member of the Company and a party to the Company LLC Agreement
under the Delaware LLC Act.
5.2 Notice of Certain Events. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Parties of:
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(a) any event, condition or development that has resulted in the inaccuracy or breach of any
representation or warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement made by or to be
complied with by such notifying Party at any time during the term hereof and that would reasonably
be expected to result in any of the conditions set forth in Article VI not to be satisfied;
provided, however, that no such notification shall be deemed to cure any such breach of or
inaccuracy in such notifying Partys representations and warranties or covenants and agreements or
in the ETP Disclosure Schedule or the ETE Disclosure Schedule for any purpose under this Agreement
and no such notification shall limit or otherwise affect the remedies available to the other
Parties;
(b) any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person
is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents;
(c) any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; and
(d) any Proceedings commenced that would be reasonably expected to prevent or materially delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or materially impair
the notifying Partys ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.
5.3 Access to Information. From the Execution Date until the Closing Date, upon the request from
ETE, ETP will, and will cause ETC III, ETC II and the Company to: (a) give ETE and its counsel,
financial advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives (collectively, Representatives)
reasonable access to the offices, properties, books and records of the Company and to the books and
records of ETP, ETC III and ETC II relating to the Company and permit ETE to make copies thereof,
in each case (i) during normal business hours and (ii) solely to the extent that ETP either (1) has
access to such offices, properties, books and records and has the right, pursuant to the Company
LLC Agreement, to provide access to such offices, properties, books and records to such Persons or
(2) has the right, pursuant to the Company LLC Agreement, to require the Company to provide such
access to such Persons; and (b) furnish to ETE and its Representatives
such financial operating data and other information relating to ETC III, ETC II and the
Company as such Persons may reasonably request, solely to the extent that ETP either (i) possesses
such financial and operating data and other information and has the right, pursuant to the Company
LLC Agreement, to furnish such financial and operating data and other information to such Persons
or (ii) has the right, pursuant to the Company LLC Agreement, to require the Company to furnish
such financial and operating data and other information to such Persons. Any
investigation pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall be conducted in such manner as not to
interfere with the conduct of the business of ETP, ETC III, ETC II, or the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, ETE shall not be entitled to perform any intrusive or subsurface
investigation or other sampling of, on or under any of the properties of the Company without the
prior written consent of ETP. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
5.3, ETP shall not be required to, or to cause ETC III, ETC II, or the Company to, grant access
or furnish information to ETE or any of its Representatives to the extent that such information is
subject to an attorney/client or attorney work product privilege or that such access or the
furnishing of such information is prohibited by Law or an existing Contract. To the extent
practicable, ETP shall
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make reasonable and appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the restrictions of the preceding sentence apply. To the fullest extent
permitted by Law, ETP and its Representatives and Affiliates shall (1) not be responsible or liable
to ETE for personal injuries sustained by ETEs Representatives in connection with the access
provided pursuant to this Section 5.3 and (2) shall be indemnified and held harmless by ETE
for any losses suffered by any such Persons in connection with any such personal injuries; provided
such personal injuries are not caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of ETP. The
Regency Parties and their respective counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized
representatives shall be deemed to be Representatives of ETP for all purposes of this Section
5.3.
5.4
Governmental Approvals. The Parties will cooperate with each other and use reasonable best
efforts to obtain from any Governmental Authorities any consents, licenses, permits, waivers,
approvals, authorizations or orders required to be obtained and to make any filings with or
notifications or submissions to any Governmental Authority that are necessary in order to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the Regency GP Purchase
Agreement and shall diligently and expeditiously prosecute, and shall cooperate fully with each
other in the prosecution of, such matters.
(b) Without limiting Section 5.4(a), as soon as practicable following the Execution
Date, but in no event later than ten Business Days following the Execution Date, the Parties shall
make such filings as may be required by the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated
by the Transaction Documents, which filings shall include a request for early termination of any
applicable waiting period. Thereafter, the Parties shall file as promptly as practicable all
reports or other documents required or requested by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission or the U.S.
Department of Justice pursuant to the HSR Act or otherwise including requests for additional
information concerning such transactions, so that the waiting period specified in the HSR Act will
expire or be terminated as soon as reasonably possible after the Execution Date. Each Party shall
cause their respective counsel to furnish each other Party such necessary information and
reasonable assistance as such other Party may reasonably request in connection with the Parties
preparation of necessary filings or submissions under the provisions of the HSR Act. Each Party shall cause their counsel to supply to each other Party copies of
the date stamped receipt copy of the cover letters delivering the filings or submissions required
under the HSR Act to any Governmental Authority. Regency shall pay the statutory filing fee
associated with filings under the HSR Act.
(c) The Parties agree to cooperate with each other and use reasonable best efforts to contest
and resist, any Proceeding, and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree,
judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) of any
Governmental Authority that is in effect and that restricts, prevents or prohibits the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
5.5 Legends. If the Acquired Interest is certificated, ETE agrees to the imprinting, so long as
the restrictions described in the legend are applicable, of the following legend on any
certificates evidencing all or any portion of the Acquired Interest:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE
SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE
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IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT) AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF ETC MIDCONTINENT EXPRESS PIPELINE III,
L.L.C. (THE LLC AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THEY MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT (A) IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE LLC AGREEMENT AND (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE
SECURITIES LAWS.
5.6 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by ETP in connection with the Transaction Documents
and the transactions contemplated thereby shall be paid by ETP and all costs and expenses incurred
by ETE in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby shall
be paid by ETE; provided, however, that if any action at law or equity is necessary to enforce or
interpret the terms of the Transaction Documents, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to
reasonable attorneys fees and expenses in addition to any other relief to which such Party may be
entitled.
5.7 Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the
Parties shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action,
and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the Regency GP Purchase
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party will use its reasonable
best efforts to obtain timely all authorizations, consents and approvals of all third parties
necessary in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement prior to the Closing. The Parties will coordinate and cooperate with each other in
exchanging such information and assistance as any of the Parties hereto may reasonably request in
connection with the foregoing.
5.8 Public Statements. The Parties shall consult with each other prior to issuing any public
announcement, statement or other disclosure with respect to the Transaction Documents or the
transactions contemplated thereby and none of ETP and its Affiliates, on the one hand, nor the ETE
and its Affiliates, on the other hand, shall issue any such public announcement, statement or other
disclosure without having first notified ETE, on the one hand, or ETP, on the other hand; provided,
however, that any of ETP and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and ETE and its Affiliates, on the
other hand, may make any public disclosure without first so consulting with or notifying the other
Party or Parties if such disclosing party believes that it is required to do so by Law or by any
stock exchange listing requirement or trading agreement concerning the publicly traded securities
of ETP or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, or ETE or any of its Affiliates, on the other
hand.
5.9
Tax Matters. Filing Tax Returns.
(i) ETP will file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of the Company, ETC III and ETC
II that are required to be filed (after taking into account extensions) on or prior
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to the Closing Date and will prepare or cause to be prepared such Tax Returns in a manner
consistent with past practice unless otherwise required by Law.
(ii) ETE shall file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of the Company and ETC III
that are required to be filed for all (A) taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing
Date which are filed after the Closing Date, (B) taxable years beginning prior to the
Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date, and (C) taxable years beginning after the
Closing Date.
(b) Cooperation. Each of the Parties shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent
reasonably requested by the other Party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns and any
audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include the
retention and (upon the other Partys request) the provision of records and information relevant to
any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and making employees available on a mutually
convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided
hereunder.
(c) Transfer Taxes. All transfer and other such Taxes and fees (including any
penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the transfer of the Acquired Interests pursuant
to this Agreement shall be paid equally by ETP (on the one hand) and ETE (on the other hand) when
due.
(d) Closing of Taxable Year. ETP shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
cause there to be an interim closing of the books under Section 706 of the Code for the Company
effective as of the Closing Date, for purposes of dividing and allocating the Companys income and
loss for the taxable year in which the Closing occurs. Such income and loss shall be divided and
allocated pursuant to a reasonable accounting for such income and loss that is acceptable to the
Parties.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The respective obligation of each Party to
consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of
the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part,
as to a Party by such Party (in such Partys sole discretion):
(a) Approvals. All authorizations, consents, orders or approvals of, or declarations
or filings with, or expiration of waiting periods imposed under the HSR Act, if any, or set forth
on Schedule 6.1(a) shall have been obtained or made.
(b) Governmental Restraints. No order, decree or injunction of any Governmental
Authority shall be in effect, and no Law shall have been enacted or adopted that enjoins, prohibits
or makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and
no Proceeding by any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents shall be pending that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prohibit or delay the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
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(c) Required Consents. The consents, approvals and waivers set forth on Schedule
6.1(c) shall have been obtained.
(d) Regency GP Purchase. The Regency GP Purchase shall have been consummated pursuant
to the terms of the Regency GP Purchase Agreement.
(e) Master Services Agreement. The Master services shall have been executed and
delivered by the parties thereto and ETP shall have received a fully executed counterpart thereof.
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of ETE. The obligation of ETE to consummate the Closing is
subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions,
any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part, by ETE (in ETEs sole
discretion):
(a) ETE Loan Documents Waiver. ETE shall have received waivers and/or amendments of
the ETE Loan Documents related to the transactions contemplated hereby reasonably acceptable to
ETE.
(b) Closing Deliverables. ETP shall have delivered or caused to be delivered all of
the closing deliveries set forth in Section 2.4(b) and in the other Transaction Documents.
6.3 Conditions to Obligations of ETP. The obligation of ETP to consummate the Closing is
subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions,
any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part, by ETP (in ETPs sole
discretion):
(a) ETE Loan Documents Waiver. ETE shall have received waivers and/or amendments of
the ETE Loan Documents related to the transactions contemplated hereby reasonably acceptable to
ETE.
(b) Closing Deliverables. ETE shall have delivered or caused to be delivered all of
the closing deliveries set forth in Section 2.4(a) and in the other Transaction Documents.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION RIGHTS
7.1 Termination Rights. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing as
follows:
(a) By mutual written consent of the Parties;
(b) By either ETP or ETE if any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have
issued a final and non-appealable order, decree or judgment prohibiting the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) By either ETP or ETE in the event that the Closing has not occurred on or prior to June 9,
2010 (the Termination Date); provided, however, that (i) ETP may not terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 7.1(c) if such failure of the Closing to occur is due to the
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failure of ETP to perform and comply in all material respects with the covenants and agreements to
be performed or complied with by ETP and (ii) ETE may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 7.1(c) if such failure of the Closing to occur is due to the failure of ETE to
perform and comply in all material respects with the covenants and agreements to be performed or
complied with by ETE;
(d) By ETE if there shall have been a breach or inaccuracy of ETPs representations and
warranties in this Agreement or a failure by ETP to perform its covenants and agreements in this
Agreement, in any such case in a manner that would result in, if occurring and continuing on the
Closing Date, the failure of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 6.2(a) or
Section 6.2(b), unless such failure is reasonably capable of being cured, and ETP is using
all reasonable best efforts to cure such failure by the Termination Date; provided, however, that
ETE may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(d) if (i) any of ETEs
representations and warranties shall have become and continue to be untrue in a manner that would
cause the condition set forth in Section 6.3(a) not to be satisfied or (ii) there has been,
and continues to be, a failure by ETE to perform its covenants and agreements in such a manner as would cause the
condition set forth in Section 6.3(b) not to be satisfied;
(e) By ETP if there shall have been a breach or inaccuracy of ETEs representations and
warranties in this Agreement or a failure by ETE to perform its covenants and agreements in this
Agreement, in any such case in a manner that would result in, if occurring and continuing on the
Closing Date, the failure of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 6.3(a) or
Section 6.3(b), unless such failure is reasonably capable of being cured, and ETE is using
all reasonable best efforts to cure such failure by the Termination Date; provided, however, that
ETP may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(e) if (i) any of ETPs
representations and warranties shall have become and continue to be untrue in a manner that would
cause the condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) not to be satisfied or (ii) there has been,
and continues to be, a failure by ETP to perform its covenants and agreements in such a manner as
would cause the condition set forth in Section 6.2(b) not to be satisfied;
(f) By either ETP or ETE if the Regency Contribution Agreement has been terminated pursuant to
its terms; or
(g) By ETE, if the Regency GP Purchase Agreement has been terminated pursuant to its terms.
7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1, all rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall
terminate, except for the provisions of this Section 7.2, Article IX and
Sections 5.6, 5.8, 10.1, 10.3, 10.7 and 10.8;
provided, however, that no termination of this Agreement shall relieve any Party from any liability
for any willful and intentional breach of this Agreement by such Party or for Fraud by such Party
and all rights and remedies of a non-breaching Party under this Agreement in the case of any such
willful and intentional breach or Fraud, at law and in equity, shall be preserved, including the
right to recover reasonable attorneys fees and expenses. Except to the extent otherwise provided
in the immediately preceding sentence, the Parties agree that, if this Agreement is terminated, the
Parties shall have no liability to each other under or relating to this Agreement.
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ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Indemnification by ETP. Subject to the terms of this Article VIII, from and after
the Closing, ETP shall indemnify and hold harmless ETE and its respective partners, members,
managers, directors, officers, employees, consultants and permitted assigns (collectively, the ETE
Indemnitees), to the fullest extent permitted by Law, from and against any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses)
(collectively, Losses) incurred, arising out of or relating to:
(a) the failure of any representation or warranty of ETP contained in Article III to
be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing (as if made on and as of
the Closing); provided that the truth and correctness of representations and warranties that by
their terms expressly speak of a specified date will be determined as of such date; and
(b) any breach of any of the covenants or agreements of ETP contained in this Agreement.
(c) any Taxes of the Company attributable to a Tax period or portion thereof that ends on or
before the Closing Date (excluding Taxes that ETP is obligated to pay as set forth in Section
5.9(c)); and
(d) the Excluded Items.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.1, for purposes of Section
8.1(a), the determination of whether there has been a breach of any representation or warranty
of ETP related to ETC II contained in Section 3.16 shall be made as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Option Closing Date (and not as of the Closing).
8.2 Indemnification by ETE. Subject to the terms of this Article VIII, from and after
the Closing, ETE shall indemnify and hold harmless ETP and its directors, officers, employees,
consultants and permitted assigns (collectively, the ETP Indemnitees and, together with the ETE
Indemnitees, the Indemnitees), to the fullest extent permitted by Law, from and against Losses
incurred, arising out of or relating to:
(a) the failure of any representation or warranty of ETE contained in Article IV to be true
and correct as of the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing (as if made on and as of the
Closing); provided that the truth and correctness of representations and warranties that by their
terms expressly speak of a specified date will be determined as of such date;
(b) any breach of any of the covenants or agreements of ETE contained in this Agreement; and
(c) any Taxes of ETE attributable to a Tax period or portion thereof that ends on or before
the Closing Date (excluding Taxes that ETE is obligated to pay as set forth in Section
5.9(c)).
28
8.3 Limitations and Other Indemnity Claim Matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Article VIII or elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall apply to any
claim for monetary damages arising out of this Agreement or related to the transactions
contemplated hereby:
(a) De Minimis. No indemnifying party (an Indemnifying Party) will have any
liability under this Article VIII in respect of any individual claim involving Losses
arising under Section 8.1(a) or Section 8.2(a) to any single ETE Indemnitee or ETP
Indemnitee, as applicable, of less than $125,000 (each, a De Minimis Claim). Notwithstanding the
forgoing, this Section 8.3(a) shall not apply to Losses arising from any breach or inaccuracy of the
representations or warranties set forth in Section 3.18, Section 4.5 or Section
4.6.
(b) Deductible.
(i) ETP will not have any liability under Section 8.1(a) unless and until the
ETE Indemnitees have suffered Losses in excess of $6,000,000 in the aggregate (the
Deductible) arising from Claims under Section 8.1(a) that are not De Minimis
Claims, and then recoverable Losses claimed under Section 8.1(a) shall be limited to
those that exceed the Deductible.
(ii) ETE will not have any liability under Section 8.2(a) until the ETP
Indemnitees have suffered Losses in excess of the Deductible that are not De Minimis Claims,
and then recoverable Losses claimed under Section 8.2(a) shall be limited to those
that exceed the Deductible.
(c) Cap.
(i) ETPs aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby shall not exceed $90,000,000 (the Cap); provided that the limitation
set forth in this Section 8.3(c)(i) shall not apply to Losses arising out of or
relating to: (i) any breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in
Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.16 or
3.18, (ii) any breach of any covenants or agreements of ETP set forth in this
Agreement or (iii) the matters described in Section 8.1(c) and Section
8.1(d); provided further that, notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1(c)
to the contrary, ETPs aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby shall not exceed $598,800,000 (the Aggregate Cap).
(ii) ETEs aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby shall not exceed the Cap; provided that the limitation set forth in this
Section 8.3(c)(ii) shall not apply to Losses arising out of or relating to: (i) any
breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5 or 4.6, (ii) any breach of any
covenants or agreements of ETE set forth in this Agreement that by their terms are to be
performed after the Closing Date or (iii) the matters described in Section 8.2(c);
provided further that, notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1(c) to the
contrary, the ETEs aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby shall not exceed the Aggregate Cap.
29
(d) Survival; Claims Period.
(i) The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties under this
Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall continue in
full force and effect until the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date (the Expiration
Date); provided that (i) the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
3.1 (Organization; Qualification), 3.2 (Authority; Enforceability), 3.3
(Non-Contravention), 3.4 (Governmental Approvals), 3.5 (Capitalization),
3.6 (Ownership of Acquired Interests), 3.18 (Brokers Fee), 4.1
(Organization; Qualification), 4.2 (Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance), 4.3
(Non-Contravention), 4.4 (Governmental
Approvals), 4.5 (Matters Relating to the Acquisition of the Acquired Units) and
4.6 (Brokers Fee) shall survive indefinitely, (ii) the representations and
warranties set forth in Sections 3.10(d) (Financial Statements) and 3.17
(Employee Benefits), to the extent such representations and warranties relate to ETC II or
the ETC II MEP Interest shall continue in full force and effect until the one-year
anniversary of the Option Closing Date (which shall be deemed to be the Expiration Date with
respect to such representations and warranties), (iii) the representations and warranties
set forth in Section 3.16 (Taxes) shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until ninety (90) days after the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (which shall be deemed to be the
Expiration Date with respect to such representations and warranties) and (iv) any covenants
or agreements contained in this Agreement that by their terms are to be performed after the
Closing Date shall survive until fully discharged.
(ii) No action for a breach of any representation or warranty contained herein (other
than representations or warranties that survive indefinitely pursuant to Section
8.3(d)(i)) shall be brought after the Expiration Date, except for claims of which a
Party has received a Claim Notice setting forth in reasonable detail the claimed
misrepresentation or breach of warranty with reasonable detail, prior to the Expiration
Date.
(e) Calculation of Losses. In calculating amounts payable to any ETP Indemnitee or
ETE Indemnitee (each such person, an Indemnified Party) for a claim for indemnification
hereunder, the amount of any indemnified Losses shall be determined without duplication of any
other Loss for which an indemnification claim has been made or could be made under any other
representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement and shall be computed net of (i) payments actually
recovered by the Indemnified Party under any insurance policy with respect to such Losses and (ii)
any prior or subsequent actual recovery by the Indemnified Party from any Person with respect to
such Losses.
(f) Waiver of Certain Damages. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
in no event shall any Party be liable for punitive, special, indirect, consequential, remote,
speculative or lost profits damages of any kind or nature, regardless of the form of action through
which such damages are sought, except (i) for any such damages recovered by any third party against
an Indemnified Party in respect of which such Indemnified Party would otherwise be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to the terms hereof and (ii) in the case of consequential damages, (A) to
the extent an Indemnified Party is required to pay consequential damages to an
30
unrelated third party and (B) to the extent of consequential damages to an Indemnified Party arising from fraud or
willful conduct.
(g) Sole and Exclusive Remedy. Except for the assertion of any claim based on fraud
or willful misconduct, the remedies provided in this Article VIII shall be the sole and
exclusive legal remedies of the Parties, from and after the Closing, with respect to this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.4
Indemnification Procedures. Each Indemnitee agrees that promptly after it becomes
aware of facts giving rise to a claim by it for indemnification pursuant to this Article
VIII, such Indemnitee must assert its claim for indemnification under this Article VIII
(each, a Claim) by providing a written notice (a Claim Notice) to the Indemnifying Party
allegedly required to provide indemnification protection under this Article VIII
specifying, in reasonable detail, the nature and basis for such Claim (e.g., the underlying
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement alleged to have been breached). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, an Indemnitees failure to send or delay in sending a third party Claim Notice will
not relieve the Indemnifying Party from liability hereunder with respect to such Claim except to
the extent the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by such failure or delay and except as is otherwise
provided herein, including in Section 8.3(e).
(b) In the event of the assertion of any third party Claim for which, by the terms hereof, an
Indemnifying Party is obligated to indemnify an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party will have the
right, at such Indemnifying Partys expense, to assume the defense of same including the
appointment and selection of counsel on behalf of the Indemnitee so long as such counsel is
reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of
any such third party Claim, it shall within 30 days of its receipt of the Claim Notice notify the
Indemnitee in writing of its intent to do so. The Indemnifying Party will have the right to settle
or compromise or take any corrective or remediation action with respect to any such Claim by all
appropriate proceedings, which proceedings will be diligently prosecuted by the Indemnifying Party
to a final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnitee will
be entitled, at its own cost, to participate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense of any such
Claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such third-party Claim but fails to
diligently prosecute such Claim, or if the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any
such Claim, the Indemnitee may assume control of such defense and in the event it is determined
pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article IX that the Claim was a matter for which
the Indemnifying Party is required to provide indemnification under the terms of this Article
VIII, the Indemnifying Party will bear the reasonable costs and expenses of such defense
(including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Indemnifying Party may not assume the defense of the third-party Claim (but will be entitled at its
own cost to participate with the Indemnified Party in the defense of any such Claim) if the
potential Losses under the third-party Claim could reasonably and in good faith be expected to
exceed, in the aggregate when combined with all claims previously made by the Indemnified Party to
the Indemnifying Party under this Article VIII, the maximum amount for which the Indemnifying Party
may be liable pursuant to Section 8.3(c); provided, however, that to the extent the Parties are not
in agreement with respect to the calculation of potential Losses the Indemnifying Party shall have
the right to assume the defense of the third-party Claim in
31
accordance herewith until the Parties have agreed or a final non-appealable judgment has been entered into, with respect to the
determination of the potential Losses.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party will
not be permitted to settle, compromise, take any corrective or remedial action or enter into an
agreed judgment or consent decree, in each case, that subjects the Indemnitee to any criminal
liability, requires an admission of guilt, wrongdoing or fault on the part of the
Indemnitee or imposes any continuing obligation on or requires any payment from the Indemnitee
without the Indemnitees prior written consent.
8.5 No Reliance.
(a) THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETP CONTAINED IN ARTICLE III CONSTITUTE THE
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETP TO ETE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. THE REPRESENTATIONS OF ETE CONTAINED IN ARTICLE IV
CONSTITUTE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETE TO ETP IN CONNECTION WITH
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT FOR SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES,
NO PARTY OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES ANY OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WITH
RESPECT TO SUCH PARTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH PARTY DISCLAIMS
ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER MADE BY SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES,
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO THE
DISTRIBUTION OF, OR ANY PERSONS RELIANCE ON, ANY INFORMATION, DISCLOSURE OR OTHER DOCUMENT OR
OTHER MATERIAL MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY PARTY IN ANY DATA ROOM, ELECTRONIC DATA ROOM, MANAGEMENT
PRESENTATION OR IN ANY OTHER FORM IN EXPECTATION OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT). EXCEPT FOR SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EACH PARTY
DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, PROJECTION, FORECAST,
STATEMENT, OR INFORMATION MADE, COMMUNICATED OR FURNISHED (ORALLY OR IN WRITING) TO ANY OTHER PARTY
OR ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING OPINION,
INFORMATION, PROJECTION, OR ADVICE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE PROVIDED TO ANY PARTY OR ANY
OFFICER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE, AGENT OR REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES).
Except as provided in Sections 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2, no Party nor any
Affiliate of a Party shall assert or threaten, and each Party hereby waives and shall cause such
Affiliates to waive, any claim or other method of recovery, in contract, in tort or under
applicable Law, against any Person that is not a Party (or a successor to a Party) relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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ARTICLE IX
GOVERNING LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
9.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the
Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of law provision or rule
(whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of
the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
9.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. The Parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
(a) the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (b) any state appellate court therefrom within the State of
Delaware (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a
particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware), for the purposes of
any Proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (and each
agrees that no such Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be brought by it except in such courts). The Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive
(and agree not to plead or claim) any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising
out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) the Delaware Court of
Chancery, or (ii) any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, only if the
Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or
federal court within the State of Delaware) or that any such Proceeding brought in any such court
has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the Parties hereto also agrees that any final
and non-appealable judgment against a Party hereto in connection with any Proceeding shall be
conclusive and binding on such Party and that such award or judgment may be enforced in any court
of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States. A certified or
exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of
such award or judgment.
9.3 Waiver Of Jury Trial. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY ACTION
OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR TO DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT
AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1 Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only
by written agreement of the Parties hereto.
10.2 Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any
failure of any of the Parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition in
this Agreement may be waived by the Party or Parties entitled to the benefits thereof only by a
written instrument signed by the Party or Parties granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure
to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not
operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.
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10.3 Notices. Any notice, demand or communication required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be in writing and delivered personally, by reputable overnight delivery service or other
courier or by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to
have been duly given (a) as of the date of delivery if delivered personally or by overnight
delivery service or other courier or (b) on the date receipt is acknowledged if delivered by
certified mail, addressed as follows; provided that a notice of a change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof:
If to ETP to:
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
3738 Oak Lawn
Dallas, TX 75219
Attention: General Counsel
If to ETE to:
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
3738 Oak Lawn
Dallas, TX 75219
Attention: General Counsel
10.4 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties
and their successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign or transfer this Agreement or any
of its rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of
the other Parties. Any attempted assignment or transfer in violation of this Agreement shall be
null, void and ineffective.
10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the
benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as provided in
Sections 8.1 and 8.2, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the
benefit of or enforceable by any third party, including any creditor of any Party or any of their
Affiliates. No such third party shall obtain any right under any provision of this Agreement or
shall by reasons of any such provision make any claim in respect of any liability (or otherwise)
against any other Party.
10.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the
entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the Parties or
between any of them with respect to such subject matter.
10.7 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this
Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law but
if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or portion of any
34
provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction
as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been
contained herein.
10.8 Representation by Counsel. Each of the Parties agrees that it has been represented by
independent counsel of its choice during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the
documents referred to herein, and that it has executed the same upon the advice of such independent
counsel. Each Party and its counsel cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement
and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto shall be deemed the
work product of the Parties and may not be construed against any Party by reason of its
preparation. Therefore, the Parties waive the application of any Law providing that ambiguities in
an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or
document.
10.9 Disclosure Schedules. The inclusion of any information (including dollar amounts) in any
section of the ETP Disclosure Schedule or the ETE Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed to be an
admission or acknowledgment by a Party that such information is required to be listed on such
section of the ETP Disclosure Schedule or the ETE Disclosure Schedule or is material to or outside
the ordinary course of the business of such Party or the Person to which such disclosure relates.
The information contained in this Agreement, the Exhibits and the Schedules is disclosed solely for
purposes of this Agreement, and no information contained in this Agreement, the Exhibits or the
Schedules shall be deemed to be an admission by any Party to any third Person of any matter
whatsoever (including any violation of a legal requirement or breach of contract). The disclosure
contained in one disclosure schedule contained in the ETE Disclosure Schedule or ETP Disclosure
Schedule may be incorporated by reference into any other disclosure schedule contained therein, and
shall be deemed to have been so incorporated into any other disclosure schedule so long as it is
readily apparent that the disclosure is applicable to such other disclosure schedule.
10.10 Facsimiles; Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures by any
Party and such signature shall be deemed binding for all purposes hereof, without delivery of an
original signature being thereafter required. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which, when executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same document.
[Signature page follows]
35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed by its
respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
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ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P.
By: Energy Transfer Partners GP, L.P.,
its general partner
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By: Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C.,
its general partner
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By: |
/s/ Martin Salinas, Jr.
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Name: |
Martin Salinas, Jr. |
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
By: LE GP, LLC,
its general partner
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By: |
/s/ John W. McReynolds
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Name: |
John W. McReynolds |
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Title: |
President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Signature Page to
Redemption and Exchange Agreement
EXHIBIT A
Accounting Firm is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Acquired ETC II Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Acquired ETC III Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Acquired Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(e).
Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(f).
Administrative Agent is defined in the MEP Credit Agreement.
Affiliate means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified Person. A Person shall
be deemed to control another Person if such first Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the
power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of such other Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agreement is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Assignment of Interests is defined in Section 2.4(a)(iv).
Available Cash is defined in the ETP Partnership Agreement.
Board has the meaning assigned to such term in the Company LLC Agreement.
Budget has the meaning assigned to such term in the Company LLC Agreement.
Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial
banks in the State of Texas are authorized or obligated to be closed by applicable Laws.
Cap is defined in Section 8.3(c).
Claim is defined in Section 8.4(a).
Claim Notice is defined in Section 8.4(a).
Closing is defined in Section 2.3.
Closing Date is defined in Section 2.3.
Closing Date Long-Term Debt is defined in Section 2.5(a)(iii).
Closing Date Net Working Capital is defined in Section 2.5(a)(i).
A-1
Closing Quarter is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Company Credit Facility means the $1,400,000,000 credit facility of the Company established
pursuant to the MEP Credit Agreement.
Company Financial Statements are defined in Section 3.10(a).
Company LLC Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Company Material Adverse Effect means any Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Company.
Company Material Contracts is defined in Section 3.13(b).
Company Policies is defined in Section 3.21.
Consideration Adjustment Amount is defined in Section 2.5(a).
Contract means any written agreement, lease, license, note, evidence of indebtedness,
mortgage, security agreement, understanding, instrument or other legally binding arrangement.
Control means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether through ownership of Voting Interests, by contract or otherwise, and the terms
Controlling and Controlled have correlative meanings.
Creditworthy Affiliate has the meaning assigned to such term in the Company LLC Agreement.
Creditors Rights is defined in Section 3.2(b).
Deductible is defined in Section 8.3(b)(i).
Delaware LLC Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to
time.
De Minimis Claim is defined in Section 8.3(a).
Disclosure Schedule means, i) with respect to ETP, the ETP Disclosure Schedule and (ii) with
respect to ETE, the ETE Disclosure Schedule.
Environmental Laws means any and all Laws pertaining to the prevention of pollution, the
protection of human health (including worker health and safety) and the environment (including
ambient air, surface water, ground water, land, surface or subsurface strata and natural
resources), and the investigation, removal and remediation of contamination.
A-2
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity,
trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b),(c), (m) or (o) of the
Code or Section 4001(b)(l) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a
member of the same controlled group as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA.
Estimated Adjustment Statement is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Closing Date Long-Term Debt is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Consideration Adjustment Amount is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Net Working Capital is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Estimated Pre-Closing Capex Amount is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter is defined in Section 2.6(a).
ETC II is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC II LLC Agreement means the limited liability company agreement of ETC II, dated April
12, 2010.
ETC II MEP Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC II Option is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC III is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC III MEP Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC III LLC Agreement means the limited liability company agreement of ETC III, dated April
12, 2010.
ETE is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
ETE Acquirer is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETE Adjustment Payment is defined in Section 2.5(d).
ETE Credit Agreement means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 13,
2006, by and among ETE, Wachovia, Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent and the
lenders party thereto.
A-3
ETE Disclosure Schedule means the disclosure schedule to this Agreement prepared by ETE and
delivered to ETP on the Execution Date, as may be supplemented in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
ETE Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.1.
ETE Loan Documents means the Loan Documents as defined in the ETE Credit Agreement.
ETE Material Adverse Effect means any Material Adverse Effect in respect of ETE.
ETE Option Agreement is defined in Section 2.4(a)(v).
ETP is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETP Adjustment Payment is defined in Section 2.5(d).
ETP Disclosure Schedule means the disclosure schedule to this Agreement prepared by ETP and
delivered to ETE on the Execution Date, as may be supplemented in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
ETP Guarantee Agreement has the meaning assigned to the term Guarantee Agreement in the
Company LLC Agreement.
ETP Guaranty Agreement means that certain Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 29, 2008,
between ETP and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as the administrative agent, as amended by that
certain First Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2009, between ETP and The
Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as the administrative agent.
ETP Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.2.
ETP Partnership Agreement means the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., as amended and in effect as of the date of this
Agreement.
Excluded Items means matters described on Exhibit E attached hereto.
Execution Date is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Expiration Date is defined in Section 8.3(e)(i).
FERC means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of the United States of America.
Final Closing Date Balance Sheet is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Final Consideration Adjustment Amount is defined in Section 2.5(c).
A-4
Final Pre-Closing Capex Amount is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Final Adjustment Statement is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Fraud means actual fraud involving a knowing and intentional misrepresentation of a material
fact.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
GE is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Governmental Authority means any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative agency, body, commission, department, board, court, tribunal, arbitrating body or
authority of the United States or any foreign country, or any state, local or other governmental
subdivision thereof.
GP/IDR Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Hazardous Substances means each substance, waste or material regulated, defined, designated
or classified as a hazardous waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant
or toxic substance under any Environmental Law; provided that the term Hazardous Substances shall
be deemed not to include petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas or natural gas liquids that are
in containers or vessels that are in good condition and compliant with applicable Environmental
Laws.
HSR Act means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
Indemnified Party is defined in Section 8.3(f).
Indemnifying Party is defined in Section 8.3(a).
Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.2.
Intellectual Property means patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Interim Financial Statement is defined in Section 3.10(a).
Knowledge means (a) with respect to ETP, the actual knowledge of Kelcy Warren, Martin
Salinas, Mike Smith and Tom Mason and (b) with respect to ETE, the actual knowledge of John
McReynolds and Sonia Aube.
Law means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, rule of common law, regulation,
judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license or authorization of any
Governmental Authority.
Lien means, with respect to any property or asset, (i) any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, lien or other similar property interest or encumbrance in respect of such property or
A-5
asset, and (ii) any easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, rights,
leases and other encumbrances on title to real or personal property (whether or not of record).
Long-Term Debt mean all long-term debt, determined in accordance with GAAP as applied
consistent with the Companys past practices (including its preparation of the Financial
Statements).
Long-Term Debt Threshold is defined in Section 2.5(a)(iii).
Losses is defined in Section 8.1.
Master Services Agreement means the Master Services Agreement in substantially the form
attached as Exhibit D hereto.
Material Adverse Effect means, with respect to any Person, any change, event or development
that is materially adverse to the business, financial condition, or operations of such Person and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that, a Material Adverse Effect shall not be
deemed to have occurred as a result of any of the following changes, events or developments (either
alone or in combination): (a) any change in general economic, political or business conditions
(including any effects on the economy arising as a result of acts of terrorism); (b) any change in
oil or natural gas commodity prices; (c) any change affecting the natural gas transportation
industry generally but which does not have a disproportionate impact on the business of such Person
and its Subsidiaries; (d) any change in accounting requirements or principles imposed by GAAP or
any change in Law after the Execution Date but which does not, in each case, have a
disproportionate impact on the business of such Person and its Subsidiaries; or (e) any change
resulting from the execution of this Agreement or the announcement of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
MEP Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 29, 2008, by and among
the Company, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party
thereto.
MEP Expansion Project is defined as capital projects to increase Zone 1 capacity from
1,432,500 Dth/d to 1,832,500 Dth/d and Zone 2 from 1,000,000 Dth/d to 1,200,000 Dth/d.
Net Working Capital means (a) total current assets minus (b) total current liabilities, all
as determined in accordance with GAAP as applied consistently with the Companys past practices
(including its preparation of the Company Financial Statements).
Net Working Capital Threshold is defined in Section 2.5(a)(i).
Objection Notice is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Option Closing Date is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Organizational Documents means, with respect to any Person, the articles of incorporation,
certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership, bylaws,
limited liability company agreement, operating agreement, partnership
A-6
agreement, stockholders agreement and all other similar documents, instruments or
certificates executed, adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization
of such Person, including any amendments thereto (including, in the case of the Company, the
Company LLC Agreement).
Party and Parties are defined in the preamble of this Agreement.
Permits means all permits, approvals, consents, licenses, franchises, exemptions and other
authorizations, consents and approvals of or from Governmental Authorities.
Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person, (a) statutory Liens for current Taxes
applicable to the assets of such Person or assessments not yet delinquent or the amount or validity
of which is being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP; (b) mechanics, carriers, workers, repairmens, landlords and other
similar liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person relating to
obligations as to which there is no default on the part of such Person, (c) Liens as may have
arisen in the ordinary course of business of such Person, none of which are material to the
ownership, use or operation of the assets of such Person; (d) any state of facts that an accurate
on the ground survey of any real property of such Person would show, and any easements,
rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, rights, leases, and other encumbrances on title
to real or personal property filed of record, in each case, that do not materially detract from the
value of or materially interfere with the use and operation of any of the assets of such Person;
(e) statutory Liens for obligations that are not delinquent, (f) Liens encumbering the fee interest
of those tracts of real property encumbered by Rights-of-Way, (g) legal highways, zoning and
building laws, ordinances and regulations, that do not materially detract from the value of or
materially interfere with the use of the assets of such Person in the ordinary course of business
and (h) any Liens with respect to assets of such Person, which, together with all other Liens, do
not materially detract from the value of such Person or materially interfere with the present use
of the assets owned by such Person or the conduct of the business of such Person.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership,
limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust,
bank trust company, land trust, business trust, or other organization, whether or not a legal
entity, custodian, trustee-executor, administrator, nominee or entity in a representative capacity
and any Governmental Authority.
Pre-Closing Capex Amount means the aggregate amount of capital expenditures, as defined in
accordance with GAAP (whether funded through capital contributions, debt incurrence, cash on hand
or otherwise), made by the Company from and after January 1, 2010 through the Closing.
Preceding Quarter is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Proceeding means any civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, investigations or
other proceedings.
A-7
Record Date means the close of business on the date specified by ETP as the record date for
any quarterly distribution of cash in respect of the ETP Common Units.
Redeemed Units is defined in Section 2.1.
Redemption is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency Contribution Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency GP Purchase is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency GP Purchase Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Release means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting,
discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping,
or disposing.
Representatives is defined in Section 5.3.
Responsible Officer means, with respect to any Person, any vice-president or more senior
officer of such Person.
Review Period is defined in Section 2.5(c).
RGPLLC is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
RGPLP is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Rights-of-Way means easements, rights-of-way and similar real estate interests.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity of which a majority of the Voting Interests are
at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
Tax means any tax, charge, fee, levy, penalty or other assessment imposed by any United
States federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority or any other taxing authority, including
any excise, real and personal property (tangible or intangible), income, sales, transfer, margin,
franchise, payroll, withholding, social security or other tax, including any interest, penalties or
additions attributable thereto.
Tax Return means any return, report, information return, declaration, claim for refund or
other document (including any related or supporting information or schedules) supplied or
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required to be supplied to any taxing authority or any Person with respect to Taxes and
including any supplement or amendment thereof.
Termination Date is defined in Section 7.1(c).
Transaction Documents means this Agreement, the Company Guarantee Agreement, the Assignment
of Interest and the ETE Option Agreement.
Voting Interests of any Person as of any date means the equity interests of such Person
pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to
elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers, general partners or trustees of such
Person (regardless of whether, at the time, equity interests of any other class or classes shall
have, or might have, voting power by reason of the occurrence of any contingency) or, with respect
to a partnership (whether general or limited), any general partner interest in such partnership.
A-9
exv2w3
Exhibit 2.3
Execution Copy
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.,
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
AND
REGENCY MIDCONTINENT EXPRESS LLC
MAY 10, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS |
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1.1 Definitions |
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1.2 Interpretations |
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2 |
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ARTICLE II CONTRIBUTION OF THE ETC CONSIDERATION INTERESTS; CLOSING |
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2.1 Contribution of the ETC Consideration Interests |
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3 |
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2.2 Consideration for ETC Consideration Interests |
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3 |
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2.3 Time and Place of Closing |
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3 |
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2.4 Deliveries and Actions at Closing |
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3 |
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2.5 Purchase Price Adjustment |
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4 |
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2.6 Pro Ration of Distributions |
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2.7 Adjustment to Contribution Consideration |
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ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETE |
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3.1 Organization; Qualification |
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3.2 Authority; Enforceability |
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3.3 Non-Contravention |
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9 |
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3.4 Governmental Approvals |
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10 |
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3.5 Capitalization |
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10 |
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3.6 Ownership of Acquired Interests |
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3.7 Compliance with Law |
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12 |
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3.8 Title to Properties and Assets |
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3.9 Rights-of-Way |
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3.10 Financial Statements |
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3.11 Absence of Certain Changes |
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13 |
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3.12 Environmental Matters |
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3.13 Material Contracts |
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15 |
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3.14 Legal Proceedings |
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3.15 Permits |
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3.16 Taxes |
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3.17 Employee Benefits |
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3.18 Brokers Fee |
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3.19 Regulatory Status |
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3.20 Intellectual Property |
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3.21 Insurance |
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3.22 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired Units |
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3.23 Budget |
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19 |
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ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REGENCY PARTIES |
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4.1 Organization; Qualification |
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4.2 Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance |
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4.3 Non-Contravention |
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20 |
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4.4 Governmental Approvals |
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20 |
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4.5 Capitalization |
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21 |
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4.6 Compliance with Law |
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4.7 Title to Properties and Assets |
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4.8 Rights-of-Way |
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4.9 Regency SEC Reports; Financial Statements |
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22 |
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4.10 Absence of Certain Changes |
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4.11 Environmental Matters |
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4.12 Material Contracts |
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4.13 Legal Proceedings |
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4.14 Permits |
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4.15 Taxes |
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26 |
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4.16 Employee Benefits; Employment and Labor Matters |
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4.17 Brokers Fee |
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4.18 Regulatory Status |
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4.19 Intellectual Property |
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4.20 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired Interests |
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29 |
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ARTICLE V COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES |
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5.1 Conduct of the Companys Business |
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5.2 Conduct of Regencys Business |
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5.3 Notice of Certain Events |
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33 |
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5.4 Access to Information |
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33 |
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5.5 Governmental Approvals |
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5.6 Legends |
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5.7 Expenses |
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5.8 Further Assurances; Efforts to Release Guarantees |
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5.9 Public Statements |
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5.10 Common Units |
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5.11 Tax Matters |
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5.12 Books and Records; Financial Statements |
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ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO CLOSING |
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6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party |
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6.2 Conditions to Obligations of Regency Parties |
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6.3 Conditions to Obligations of ETE |
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40 |
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ARTICLE VII TERMINATION RIGHTS |
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7.1 Termination Rights |
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7.2 Effect of Termination |
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ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION |
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8.1 Indemnification by ETE |
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8.2 Indemnification by the Regency Parties |
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8.3 Limitations and Other Indemnity Claim Matters |
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44 |
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8.4 Indemnification Procedures |
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8.5 No Reliance |
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47 |
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ARTICLE IX GOVERNING LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION |
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9.1 Governing Law |
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9.2 Consent to Jurisdiction |
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9.3 Waiver of Jury Trial |
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48 |
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ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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10.1 Amendment and Modification |
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10.2 Waiver of Compliance; Consents |
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10.3 Notices |
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10.4 Assignment |
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10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries |
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10.6 Entire Agreement |
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10.7 Severability |
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10.8 Representation by Counsel |
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10.9 Disclosure Schedules |
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10.10 Facsimiles; Counterparts |
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Exhibits
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Exhibit A |
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Definitions |
Exhibit B |
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Form of Option Agreement |
Exhibit C |
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Form of Assignment of Interest |
Exhibit D |
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Form of Option Assignment Agreement |
Exhibit E |
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement |
Exhibit F |
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Excluded Items |
Exhibit G |
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Conflicts Policy |
Exhibit H |
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Master Services Agreement |
Schedules
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Schedule 3.3(a) |
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Non-Contravention (ETE) |
Schedule 3.3(b) |
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Non-Contravention (Company) |
Schedule 3.4 |
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Governmental Approvals |
Schedule 3.5(a) |
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Capitalization |
Schedule 3.9 |
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Rights-of-Way |
iii
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Schedule 3.10(a) |
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Financial Statements |
Schedule 3.10(b) |
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Financial Statement Preparation |
Schedule 3.11 |
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Absence of Certain Changes |
Schedule 3.11(d) |
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Development Plan |
Schedule 3.12 |
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Environmental Matters |
Schedule 3.13 |
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Material Contracts |
Schedule 3.14(a) |
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Legal Proceedings |
Schedule 3.14(b) |
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Certain Claims |
Schedule 3.19 |
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Regulatory Status |
Schedule 3.21 |
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Insurance |
Schedule 3.23 |
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Budget |
Schedule 4.3 |
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Non-Contravention (Regency Parties) |
Schedule 4.4 |
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Governmental Approvals |
Schedule 4.10 |
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Absence of Certain Changes |
Schedule 4.11 |
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Environmental Matters |
Schedule 4.12 |
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Material Contracts |
Schedule 4.13 |
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Legal Proceedings |
Schedule 4.15(b) |
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Tax Audits |
Schedule 4.16 |
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Employee Matters |
Schedule 4.17 |
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Brokers Fee |
Schedule 4.18 |
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Regulatory Status |
Schedule 5.1 |
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Conduct of the Companys Business |
Schedule 5.2 |
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Conduct of Regencys Business |
Schedule 6.1(a) |
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Approvals |
Schedule 6.1(c) |
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Required Consents |
Schedule 6.1(e) |
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Regency Credit Facility Amendments |
iv
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of May 10, 2010 (the Execution
Date), is made and entered into by and among Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (ETE), Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Regency), and
Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Regency SPV).
Each of Regency and Regency SPV are sometimes referred to individually in this Agreement as a
Regency Party and are sometimes collectively referred to in this Agreement as the Regency
Parties.
Each of the parties to this Agreement is sometimes referred to individually in this Agreement
as a Party and all of the parties to this Agreement are sometimes collectively referred to in
this Agreement as the Parties.
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement dated as of March 1, 2007 (the Company LLC Agreement), of Midcontinent Express
Pipeline, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), by and between Kinder Morgan
Operating Limited Partnership A and ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline, L.L.C. (ETC);
WHEREAS, ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ETP (ETC III) owns a 49.9% membership interest in the
Company (the ETC III MEP Interest);
WHEREAS, ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ETP (ETC II) owns a 0.1% membership interest in the
Company (the ETC II MEP Interest);
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Redemption and Exchange Agreement dated as of the date
hereof (the ETP Redemption Agreement), by and between ETE and ETP, subject to the terms and
conditions contained therein, ETP has agreed to redeem certain limited partner interests of ETP
held by ETE in exchange for (a) all of the outstanding membership interests in ETC III (the
Acquired ETC III Interest) and (b) an option substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B (the ETC II Option) to purchase all of the outstanding membership interests in
ETC II (the Acquired ETC II Interest and, together with the Acquired ETC III Interest, the
Acquired Interests) on the date that is one year and one day following the Closing Date (the
Option Closing Date) (the Redemption and Exchange);
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof (the Regency GP Purchase Agreement), by and among Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership, ETE and ETE GP Acquirer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, subject to
the terms and conditions contained therein, ETE (through ETE GP Acquirer) has agreed to acquire
(the Regency GP Purchase) (a) 100% of the membership interests in Regency GP, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and the general partner of
1
RGPLP (as defined below) (RGPLLC) and (b) all of the outstanding limited partner interests
in Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership (RGPLP) and the sole owner of the general
partner interests of Regency.
WHEREAS; Regency SPV is a wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency; and
WHEREAS, immediately after the consummation of the Redemption and Exchange and Regency GP
Purchase, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, ETE desires to (i) contribute
to Regency (through Regency SPV), and Regency (through Regency SPV) desires to accept from ETE, the
Acquired ETC III Interest and (ii) assign, transfer and sell to Regency (through Regency SPV), and
Regency (through Regency SPV) desires to accept from ETE, the ETC II Option, (collectively, the
ETC Consideration Interests) in exchange for certain Regency Common Units described herein.
A G R E E M E N T S
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, agreements and covenants
contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties undertake and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined in the body of this
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Exhibit A. Capitalized terms defined
in the body of this Agreement are listed in Exhibit A with reference to the location of the
definitions of such terms in the body of this Agreement.
1.2 Interpretations. In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (a) the
singular includes the plural and vice versa; (b) reference to a Person includes such Persons
successors and assigns but, in the case of a Party, only if such successors and assigns are
permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such
Person in any other capacity; (c) reference to any gender includes each other gender; (d)
references to any Exhibit, Schedule, Section, Article, Annex, subsection and other subdivision
refer to the corresponding Exhibits, Schedules, Sections, Articles, Annexes, subsections and other
subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise; (e) references in any Section
or Article or definition to any clause means such clause of such Section, Article or definition;
(f) hereunder, hereof, hereto and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as
a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (g) the word or is not exclusive,
and the word including (in its various forms) means including without limitation; (h) each
accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning commonly applied to it in
accordance with GAAP; (i) references to days are to calendar days; and (j) all references to
money refer to the lawful currency of the United States. The Table of Contents and the Article and
Section titles and headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and
are not intended to be a part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
2
ARTICLE II
CONTRIBUTION OF THE ETC CONSIDERATION INTERESTS; CLOSING
2.1 Contribution of the ETC Consideration Interests. Upon the terms and subject to the
satisfaction or due waiver of the conditions contained in this Agreement, at the Closing ETE shall
contribute, assign, transfer and deliver to Regency, and Regency (through Regency SPV) shall accept
from ETE, the ETC Consideration Interests.
2.2 Consideration for ETC Consideration Interests. The consideration (the Unit Contribution
Consideration) to be delivered by Regency (through Regency SPV) to ETE in exchange for the
contribution, assignment, transfer and delivery of the ETC Consideration Interests by ETE to
Regency (through Regency SPV) shall consist of 26,266,791 Regency Common Units. The Unit
Contribution Consideration shall be issuable by Regency to ETE in accordance with Section
2.4(a)(i). The Regency Common Units comprising the Unit Contribution Consideration are
referred to in this Agreement as the Acquired Units.
2.3 Time and Place of Closing. The closing of the contribution, assignment, transfer and
delivery of the ETC Consideration Interests to Regency (through Regency SPV) and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the Closing) will take place at the offices of
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77002 on the second Business
Day after all of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions which
by their terms are only capable of being satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction
or due waiver of those conditions) have been satisfied or waived by the Party or Parties entitled
to waive such conditions, unless another time, date and place are agreed to in writing by the
Parties. The date of the Closing is referred to in this Agreement as the Closing Date. The
Closing will be deemed effective as of 12:03 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the Closing Date.
2.4 Deliveries and Actions at Closing.
(a) Regency Party Deliveries and Actions. At the Closing, the Regency Parties will
execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to ETE, each of the following
documents, where the execution or delivery of documents is contemplated, and will take or cause to
be taken the following actions, where the taking of actions is contemplated:
(i) Unit Contribution Consideration. Original unit certificates representing
the Regency Common Units comprising the Unit Contribution Consideration;
(ii) Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. The amount, if any, required
to be paid by Regency pursuant to Section 2.5(b), by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated by ETE.
(iii) Assignment of Interest. A counterpart of an assignment (the Assignment
of Interest), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, evidencing
the conveyance, assignment, transfer and delivery to Regency (through Regency SPV) of the
Acquired ETC III Interest, duly executed by the Regency Parties;
(iv) Option Assignment Agreement. A counterpart of an option agreement,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the Option Assignment
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Agreement), evidencing the assignment of the ETC II Option from ETE to Regency, duly
executed by the Regency Parties;
(v) Registration Rights Agreement. A counterpart of a registration rights
agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (the Registration
Rights Agreement) duly executed by Regency; and
(vi) Closing Certificate. The certificate contemplated by Section
6.3(g).
(b) ETE Deliveries and Actions. At the Closing, ETE will execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered, to the Regency Parties, each of the following documents, where
the execution or delivery of documents is contemplated, and will take or cause to be taken the
following actions, where the taking of actions is contemplated:
(i) Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment. The amount, if any, required to be
paid by ETE pursuant to Section 2.5(b), by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to an account designated by the Regency Parties;
(ii) Distribution Amounts. The amount, if any, required to be paid by ETE
pursuant to Section 2.6(a) and Section 2.6(b), by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by the Regency Parties;
(iii) FIRPTA Certificate. A certificate of ETE in the form specified in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b)(2)(iv) that ETE is not a foreign person within the
meaning of Section 1445 of the Code;
(iv) Assignment of Interest. A counterpart of the Assignment of Interest, duly
executed by ETE;
(v) Option Assignment Agreement. A counterpart of the Option Assignment
Agreement, duly executed by ETE;
(vi) Registration Rights Agreement. A counterpart of the Registration Rights
Agreement, duly executed by ETE; and
(vii) Closing Certificate. The certificate contemplated by Section
6.2(e).
2.5 Purchase Price Adjustment.
(a) The Purchase Price Adjustment Amount shall be an amount determined as follows:
(i) The Purchase Price Adjustment Amount shall be increased by 49.9% of the amount (if
any) by which the Net Working Capital of the Company as of the Closing Date (Closing Date
Net Working Capital) exceeds negative $83,161,000 (the Net Working Capital Threshold);
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(ii) The Purchase Price Adjustment Amount shall be decreased by 49.9% of the amount (if
any) by which the Net Working Capital Threshold exceeds Closing Date Net Working Capital;
(iii) The Purchase Price Adjustment Amount shall be decreased by 49.9% of the amount
(if any) by which the Long-Term Debt of the Company as of the Closing Date (Closing Date
Long-Term Debt) exceeds $798,836,000 (the Long-Term Debt Threshold);
(iv) The Purchase Price Adjustment Amount shall be increased by 49.9% of the amount (if
any) by which the Long-Term Debt Threshold exceeds Closing Date Long-Term Debt; and
(v) The Purchase Price Adjustment Amount shall be increased by 49.9% of the Pre-Closing
Capex Amount.
(b) Not later than ten Business Days prior to the Closing Date, ETE shall prepare and deliver
to Regency a preliminary settlement statement (the Estimated Adjustment Statement) setting forth
(i) an estimated balance sheet of the Company as of the Closing Date, which balance sheet will be
prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied consistently with the Companys past practices (including
its preparation of the Financial Statements) (the Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet) based on
the most recent financial information of the Company reasonably available to ETE, (ii) a
calculation of the difference, if any, between the Net Working Capital shown on the Estimated
Closing Date Balance Sheet (Estimated Net Working Capital) and the Net Working Capital Threshold,
(iii) a calculation of the difference, if any, between the Long-Term Debt shown on the Estimated
Closing Date Balance Sheet (Estimated Closing Date Long-Term Debt) and the Long-Term Debt
Threshold, (iv) an estimated calculation of the Pre-Closing Capex Amount (Estimated Pre-Closing
Capex Amount) and (v) an estimated calculation of the Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. Regency
shall have the right, following Regencys receipt of the Estimated Adjustment Statement, to object
thereto by delivering written notice to ETE no later than three Business Days before the Closing
Date. To the extent Regency timely objects to the Estimated Adjustment Statement (or any component
thereof), Regency and ETE shall attempt to resolve their differences; provided that, if Regency and
ETE are unable to resolve any such dispute prior to the Closing Date, then ETEs calculations as
reflected in the Estimated Adjustment Statement shall control for purposes of all payments to be
made at Closing. To the extent Regency and ETE resolve any of their differences prior to the
Closing, then the Parties shall jointly agree on a revised Estimated Adjustment Statement that will
control for purposes of the payments to be made at the Closing. The estimated Purchase Price
Adjustment Amount that controls for purposes of the payments to be made at the Closing is referred
to herein as the Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. If the Estimated Purchase Price
Adjustment Amount is a positive number, then at Closing Regency shall wire transfer in immediately
available funds an amount equal to the Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount to an account to
be designated by ETE before Closing. If the Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount is a
negative number, then at Closing ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available funds an amount
equal to the absolute value of the Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount to an account to be
designated by Regency before Closing.
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(c) Not later than the 90th day following the Closing Date, Regency shall prepare and deliver
to ETE a statement (the Final Adjustment Statement) setting forth (i) an estimated balance sheet
of the Company as of the Closing Date, which balance sheet will be prepared in the same manner as
the Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet (the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet) based on the most
recent financial information of the Company reasonably available to Regency, (ii) a calculation of
the difference, if any, between the Net Working Capital shown on the Final Closing Date Balance
Sheet and Estimated Net Working Capital, (iii) a calculation of the difference, if any, between the
Closing Date Long-Term Debt shown on the Final Closing Date Balance Sheet and Estimated Closing
Date Long-Term Debt, (iv) a calculation of the actual Pre-Closing Capex Amount (the Final
Pre-Closing Capex Amount), together with a calculation showing the difference, if any, between the
Final Pre-Closing Capex Amount and the Estimated Pre-Closing Capex Amount and (v) the final
calculation of the Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. At any time during the 30-day period
following receipt of the Final Adjustment Statement (the Review Period), ETE may deliver to
Regency a written report containing any changes that ETE proposes be made to the Final Adjustment
Statement (such written report, an Objection Notice). Regency shall provide to ETE such
documentation and other data, and, during normal business hours, access to its and the Companys
officers, employees, agents and other personnel as is reasonably necessary to enable ETE to
appropriately review the Final Adjustment Statement, including preparing a Final Closing Date
Balance Sheet and making the calculations set forth in the first sentence of this Section
2.5(c). ETE shall be deemed to have waived any rights to object to the Final Adjustment
Statement unless ETE delivers an Objection Notice to Regency within the Review Period and, if the
Review Period expires without ETE so delivering an Objection Notice, then the Final Adjustment
Statement shall become final and binding for all purposes of this Agreement. If ETE delivers an
Objection Notice to Regency during the Review Period, then ETE and Regency shall attempt to agree
on the amount of the actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amount. If such Parties cannot reach
agreement within 30 days after the date on which ETE delivered such Objection Notice to Regency,
the Parties shall refer the remaining disputed matters necessary to the final determination of the
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, or if PriceWaterhouseCoopers is unable
or unwilling to perform its obligations under this Section 2.5(c), such other
nationally-recognized independent accounting firm as is mutually agreed on by ETE and Regency (the
Accounting Firm). The Accounting Firm shall, if requested by ETE, resolve any disputes under
this Section 2.5(c), as well as any disputes under Section 2.5(c) of the Redemption and
Exchange Agreement. Each Party shall deliver simultaneously to the Accounting Firm (i) the
Objection Notice and such work papers, invoices and other reports and information relating to the
disputed matters as the Accounting Firm may request and (ii) such Partys proposed resolution of
the disputed matters and any materials it wishes to present to justify the resolution it so
presents. Each Party shall be afforded the opportunity to discuss the disputed matters with the
Accounting Firm. The Accounting Firm shall act as an expert (and not as an arbitrator) for the
limited purpose of determining the specific disputed matters necessary to the determination of the
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount submitted by either ETE or Regency to the Accounting Firm, and
whether and to what extent, if any, the Purchase Price Adjustment Amount requires adjustment as a
result of the resolution of those disputed matters (applying GAAP consistently with the Companys
past practices). The Accounting Firm may not award damages or penalties and shall not have
authority to address matters not in dispute between the Parties or necessary to the determination
of the final Purchase Price Adjustment
6
Amount. The Accounting Firms determination shall be made within 30 days after submission of
the disputed matters and shall be final and binding on all Parties, without right of appeal. In
determining the proper amount of the Purchase Price Adjustment Amount, the Accounting Firm shall
not increase the Purchase Price Adjustment Amount more than the increase proposed by ETE nor
decrease the Purchase Price Adjustment Amount more than the decrease proposed by Regency, as
applicable. Each Party shall each bear its own legal fees and other costs of presenting its case
to the Accounting Firm. ETE and Regency shall each bear one-half of the costs and expenses of the
Accounting Firm incurred in resolving such disputed matters. The Purchase Price Adjustment Amount
as finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.5(c) shall be referred to as the Final
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount.
(d) Within ten days after the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Review Period without
delivery of any Objection Notice and (ii) the date on which ETE and Regency, or the Accounting
Firm, as applicable, finally determine the actual Purchase Price Adjustment Amount (A) if the Final
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount exceeds the Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount (such
excess, the ETE Adjustment Payment), Regency shall wire transfer in immediately available funds
an amount equal to the ETE Adjustment Payment to an account designated by ETE and (B) if the
Estimated Purchase Price Adjustment Amount exceeds the Final Purchase Price Adjustment Amount (such
excess, the Regency Adjustment Payment), ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available funds
an amount equal to the Regency Adjustment Payment to an account designated by Regency.
2.6 Pro Ration of Distributions.
(a) If the Closing occurs after the last day of the calendar quarter (the Preceding Quarter)
immediately prior to the calendar quarter (the Closing Quarter) in which the Closing Date occurs
but prior to the Record Date for the distribution in respect of the Preceding Quarter, then at the
Closing, (i) ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available funds an amount equal to the product
of (a) the number of Acquired Units multiplied by (b) $0.46 (unless prior to the Closing, Regency
shall have declared its distribution in respect of the Preceding Quarter, in which event such
number in this clause (b) shall be the amount declared per Regency Common Unit) (such aggregate
amount being referred to herein as the Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount) to an
account designated by Regency before Closing and (ii) ETE shall wire transfer in immediately
available funds an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Acquired Units multiplied by
(B) $0.46 multiplied by (C) a fraction, (1) the numerator of which is the number of days in the
Closing Quarter commencing on the first day of the Closing Quarter and ending on and including the
Closing Date and (2) the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Closing Quarter
(such aggregate amount being referred to herein as the Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter
Distribution Amount) to an account designated by Regency before Closing.
(b) If the Closing occurs after the Record Date for distribution in respect of the Preceding
Quarter, at the Closing ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available funds an amount equal to
the Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount to an account designated by Regency
before Closing.
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(c) If the Closing occurs within the period specified in Section 2.6(a), unless the
actual declared per unit distribution in respect of the Preceding Quarter is used to determine the
Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount, then not later than the second Business Day
following Regencys declaration of its distribution in respect of the Preceding Quarter, Regency
shall prepare and deliver to ETE a calculation of the Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount
(as defined below). Within two Business Days of such delivery, (i) if the Actual Preceding Quarter
Distribution Amount exceeds the Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount, then ETE shall
wire transfer in immediately available funds the amount of such excess to an account designated by
Regency and (ii) if the Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount exceeds the Actual
Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount, then Regency shall wire transfer in immediately available
funds the amount of such excess to an account designated by ETE.
(d) Not later than the second Business Day following Regencys declaration of its distribution
in respect of the Closing Quarter, Regency shall prepare and deliver to ETE a calculation of the
Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount (as defined below). Within two Business Days of
such delivery, (i) if the Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount exceeds the Estimated
Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount, ETE shall wire transfer in immediately available
funds an amount equal to such excess to an account designated by Regency and (ii) if the Estimated
Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount exceeds the Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter
Distribution Amount, Regency shall wire transfer in immediately available funds an amount equal to
such excess to an account designated by ETE.
(e) Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount means the product of (i) the number of
Acquired Units multiplied by (ii) the actual per-unit distribution declared on the Regency Common
Units in respect of the Preceding Quarter.
(f) Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount means the product of (i) the number
of Acquired Units multiplied by (ii) the actual per-unit distribution declared on the Regency
Common Units in respect of the Closing Quarter multiplied by (iii) a fraction, (A) the numerator of
which is the number of days in the Closing Quarter commencing on the first day of such quarter and
ending on and including the Closing Date and (B) the denominator of which is the total number of
days in the Closing Quarter.
2.7 Adjustment to Contribution Consideration. All amounts to be paid by ETE to Regency
pursuant to Section 2.6 shall be deemed to be adjustments to the Purchase Price Adjustment
Amount.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETE
ETE hereby represents and warrants to the Regency Parties as follows:
3.1 Organization; Qualification. Each of ETE, ETC III, ETC II and the Company is an entity
duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
all requisite organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified,
8
registered or licensed to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business
conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so duly
qualified, registered or licensed and in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will be, a party or to
materially impair ETEs ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which
it is, or will be, a party. ETE has made available to the Regency Parties true and complete copies
of the Organizational Documents of ETC III, ETC II and the Company, as in effect on the Execution
Date.
3.2 Authority; Enforceability.
(a) ETE has the requisite partnership power and authority to execute and deliver the
Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party, and to consummate the transactions
contemplated thereby. The execution and delivery by ETE of the Transaction Documents to which ETE
is, or will be, a party, and the consummation by ETE of the transactions contemplated thereby, have
been duly and validly authorized by ETE, and no other limited partnership proceedings on the part
of ETE are necessary to authorize the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party or
to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will
be, a party.
(b) The Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will be, a party have been (or will be, when
executed and delivered at the Closing) duly executed and delivered by ETE, and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Transaction Document to
which ETE is, or will be, a party constitutes (or will constitute, when executed and delivered at
the Closing) the valid and binding agreement of ETE, enforceable against ETE in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws relating to or affecting
creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to legal principles of general
applicability governing the availability of equitable remedies, including principles of commercial
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) (collectively, Creditors Rights).
3.3 Non-Contravention.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, the
execution, delivery and performance by ETE of the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will
be, a party and by ETE and ETP of the ETP Redemption Agreement, and the consummation by ETE of the
transactions contemplated thereby, do not and will not: (i) result in any breach of any provision
of the Organizational Documents of ETE; (ii) constitute a default (or an event that with notice or
passage of time or both would give rise to a default) under, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration (with or without the giving of notice, or the
passage of time or both) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which
ETE is a party or by which any property or asset of ETE is bound or affected; (iii) assuming
compliance with the matters referred to in Section 3.4, violate any Law to which
9
ETE is subject or by which any of ETEs properties or assets is bound, except, in the cases of
clauses (ii) and (iii) for such defaults or rights of termination, cancellation, amendment or
acceleration or violations as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will be, a party or to materially impair ETEs ability to
perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(b) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, the
execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will be, a
party by ETE and the consummation by ETE of the transactions contemplated thereby does not and will
not: (i) result in any breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of ETC III, ETC II
or the Company; (ii) constitute a default (or an event that with the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both would give rise to a default) under, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration (with or without the giving of notice, or the
passage of time or both) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which
ETC III, ETC II or the Company is a party or by which any property or assets of ETC III, ETC II or
the Company is bound or affected; (iii) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in
Section 3.4, violate any Law to which ETC III, ETC II or the Company is subject or by which
any of ETC IIIs, ETC IIs or the Companys properties or assets is bound; (iv) constitute (with or
without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) an event which would result in the
creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any asset of ETC III, ETC II or the Company;
or (v) cause the Company, ETC III or ETC II to become subject to, or to become liable for the
payment of, any Tax, except, in the cases of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such defaults or
rights of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration, violations or Liens, as would not
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.4 Governmental Approvals. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4 of the ETE Disclosure
Schedule, no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, or authorization, consent or
approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by ETE of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party, other
than (a) filings under the HSR Act and (b) such other declarations, filings, registrations,
notices, authorizations, consents or approvals that have been obtained or made or that would in the
ordinary course be made or obtained after the Closing, or which, if not obtained or made, would not
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or
will be, a party or to materially impair ETEs ability to perform its obligations under the
Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party.
3.5 Capitalization.
(a) Schedule 3.5(a) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the Execution
Date, a correct and complete description of the following: (i) all of the issued and outstanding
membership interests of ETC III, ETC II and the Company and (ii) the record owners of the
membership interests of ETC III, ETC II and the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.5(a) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, there are no other outstanding equity interests of the
Company.
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(b) (i) At the Closing, the Acquired ETC III Interest (A) will constitute 100% of the issued
and outstanding membership interests of ETC III, (B) will have been duly authorized, validly issued
and fully paid (to the extent required under the ETC III LLC Agreement) and will be nonassessable
(except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 of the Delaware LLC Act) and (C)
will not have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other
similar rights of any Person.
(ii) At the Closing, the Acquired ETC II Interest (A) will constitute 100% of the issued
and outstanding membership interests of ETC II, (B) will have been duly authorized, validly
issued and fully paid (to the extent required under the ETC II LLC Agreement) and will be
nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 of the
Delaware LLC Act) and (C) will not have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights,
rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.
(c) The ETC III MEP Interest (i) constitutes 49.9% of the issued and outstanding membership
interests of the Company, (ii) has been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid (to the
extent required under the Company Agreement) and is nonassessable (except as such nonassessability
may be affected by Section 18-607 of the Delaware LLC Act) and (iii) was not issued in violation of
any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person. The ETC III
MEP Interest is owned beneficially and of record by ETC III, free and clear of all Liens other than
(i) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws and (ii) any transfer
restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of the Company.
(d) The ETC II MEP Interest (i) constitutes 0.1% of the issued and outstanding membership
interests of the Company, (ii) has been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid (to the
extent required under the Company LLC Agreement) and is nonassessable (except as such
nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 of the Delaware LLC Act) and (iii) was not
issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of
any Person. The ETC II MEP Interest is owned beneficially and of record by ETC II, free and clear
of all Liens other than (i) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws
and (ii) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents of the Company.
(e) Except for the ETC II Option, or as set forth in the Company LLC Agreement, there are no
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other outstanding rights, options, warrants,
conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements,
arrangements, calls, subscription agreements, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate ETC
III, ETC II or the Company to issue or sell any equity interests or any securities or obligations
convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person a right to subscribe for
or acquire, any equity interests in ETC III, ETC II or the Company, and no securities or
obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding. There are no preemptive
rights, rights of first refusal or other outstanding options, warrants, conversion rights,
redemption rights, repurchase rights, calls or subscription agreements pursuant to the Company LLC
Agreement or any other agreement to which the Company, ETC II or ETC III is party that are or will
be exercisable in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated herein.
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(f) None of ETC III, ETC II or the Company has outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or
other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable
for securities having the right to vote) with the holders of equity interests in ETC III, ETC II or
the Company on any matter.
(g) As of the Execution Date, none of ETC III, ETC II or the Company owns any equity interest
in any other Person except for (i) ETC IIIs ownership of the ETC III MEP Interest and (ii) ETC
IIs ownership of the ETC II MEP Interest.
3.6 Ownership of Acquired Interests.
(a) Upon consummation of the Redemption and Exchange, ETE will have good and valid title to
the ETC III Acquired Interest, free and clear of all Liens other than (i) any transfer restrictions
imposed by federal and state securities laws and (ii) any transfer restrictions contained in the
Organizational Documents of ETC III.
(b) (i) Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, ETE will
assign, convey, transfer and deliver to Regency good and valid title to the ETC III Acquired
Interest, free and clear of all Liens other than (A) any transfer restrictions imposed by federal
and state securities laws, (B) any transfer restrictions contained in the Organizational Documents
of ETC III and (C) any Liens on the ETC III Acquired Interest as a result of actions by the Regency
Parties.
(ii) Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Option Assignment
Agreement, ETE will assign, convey, transfer and deliver to Regency good and valid title to
the ETC II Option, free and clear of all Liens other than (A) any transfer restrictions
imposed by federal and state securities laws, (B) any transfer restrictions contained in the
Organizational Documents of ETC II or the ETC II Option and (C) any Liens on the ETC II
Option as a result of actions by the Regency Parties.
(c) ETE is not a party to any agreements, arrangements or commitments obligating ETE to grant,
deliver or sell, or cause to be granted, delivered or sold, the Acquired Interests, by sale, lease,
license or otherwise, other than (i) this Agreement and (ii) the purchase rights in favor of
certain members of the Company set forth in Section 3.6(b) of the Company LLC Agreement.
(d) There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings to which ETE is
bound with respect to the voting of the Acquired Interests.
3.7 Compliance with Law. Except for Environmental Laws, Laws requiring the obtaining or
maintenance of a Permit and Tax matters, which are the subject of Sections 3.12,
3.15 and 3.16, respectively, and except as to matters that would not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) the Company is in compliance with all
applicable Laws, (b) the Company has not received written notice of any violation of any applicable
Law and (c) to the Knowledge of ETE, the Company is not under investigation by any Governmental
Authority for potential non-compliance with any Law.
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3.8 Title to Properties and Assets. Except as to matters that would not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company has title to or rights or interests
in its real property and personal property, free and clear of all Liens (subject to Permitted
Liens), sufficient to allow it to conduct its business as currently being conducted or as will be
conducted following completion of the MEP Expansion Project.
3.9 Rights-of-Way. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9 of the ETE Disclosure
Schedule, (a) the Company has such Rights-of-Way from each Person as are necessary to use, own and
operate the Companys assets in the manner such assets are currently used, owned and operated by
the Company or as will be used, owned and operated by the Company following completion of the MEP
Expansion Project, (b) the Company has fulfilled and performed all of its obligations with respect
to such Rights-of-Way and (c) no event has occurred that allows, or after the giving of notice or
the passage of time, or both, would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any
impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Rights-of-Way.
3.10 Financial Statements.
(a) Attached hereto as Schedule 3.10(a) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule are true and
complete copies of the following financial statements (collectively, the Company Financial
Statements): (i) an audited balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and the related
audited statements of income, changes in owners equity and cash flows for the 12-month period then
ended and (ii) an unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2010 and the related
unaudited statements of income, changes in owners equity and cash flows for the quarterly period
then ended (the Interim Financial Statements).
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10(b) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, the
Company Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods presented thereby and fairly present in all material respects the
financial position and operating results, equity and cash flows of the Company as of, and for the
periods ended on, the respective dates thereof, subject, however, in the case of the Interim
Financial Statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and accruals and the absence of notes
and other textual disclosures required by GAAP.
(c) The Company does not have any liability, whether accrued, contingent, absolute or
otherwise, except for (i) liabilities set forth on the balance sheet of the Company dated as of
March 31, 2010 or the notes thereto, (ii) liabilities that have arisen since March 31, 2010 in the
ordinary course of business and (iii) liabilities that would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Neither ETC III nor ETC II has any assets or liabilities other than the ETC III MEP
Interest and the ETC II MEP Interest, respectively.
3.11 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11 of the ETE
Disclosure Schedule or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or permitted pursuant to Section
5.1 of the ETP Redemption Agreement, since December 31, 2009, the business of the Company has been
conducted in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practice and there has not
been:
13
(a) any event, occurrence or development which has had, or would be reasonably expected to
have, a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any transaction by the Company that required Special Consent (as such term is defined in
the Company LLC Agreement), other than the incurrence of indebtedness pursuant to the Company
Credit Facility in accordance with its terms existing on the Execution Date;
(c) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividends on or distributions in respect
of any equity interests or other securities of the Company;
(d) any capital expenditure in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate, except (i) in accordance
with the Development Plan (as such term is defined in the Company LLC Agreement) included as
Schedule 3.11(d) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, (ii) in accordance with a Budget (as such
term is defined in the Company LLC Agreement) approved in accordance with the Company LLC Agreement
prior to the Execution Date and disclosed to the Regency Parties, (iii) in accordance with the
draft budget of the Company included as Schedule 3.23 of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, (iv)
as disclosed in the Interim Financial Statements or (v) maintenance capital expenditures required
on an emergency basis or for the safety of individuals or the environment;
(e) any material change to the Companys tax methods, principles or elections; or
(f) any purchase of securities or ownership interests of, or any investment in, any Person,
other than ordinary course overnight investments consistent with the cash management policies of
the Company; or
(g) any agreement by the Company to do any of the foregoing.
3.12 Environmental Matters. Except as to matters set forth on Schedule 3.12 of the
ETE Disclosure Schedule and except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the Company is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(b) the Company possesses all Permits required under Environmental Laws for its operations as
currently conducted and is in compliance with the terms of such Permits, and such Permits are in
full force and effect;
(c) the Company and its properties and operations are not subject to any pending or, to the
Knowledge of ETE, threatened Proceeding arising under any Environmental Law, nor has the Company
received any written and pending notice, order or complaint from any Governmental Authority
alleging a violation of or liability arising under any Environmental Law;
(d) ETE has made available to the Regency Parties complete and correct copies of all material
environmental site assessment reports and studies relating to the Company that are in the
possession of ETE and, to ETEs Knowledge, there are no other such reports or studies in existence;
and
14
(e) to the Knowledge of ETE, there has been no Release of Hazardous Substances on, at, under,
to, or from any of the properties of the Company, or from or in connection with the Companys
operations in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability pursuant to
any Environmental Law.
3.13 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13 of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, as of the
Execution Date, the Company is not party to or bound by any Contract that:
(i) relates to (A) the purchase of materials, supplies, goods, services or other
assets, (B) the purchase, sale, transporting, gathering, processing, or storing of natural
gas, condensate or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons or the products therefrom, or the
provision of services related thereto or (C) the construction of capital assets, in the
cases of clauses (A), (B) and (C) that (1) provides for either (x) annual payments by the
Company in excess of $500,000 or (y) aggregate payments by the Company in excess of
$1,000,000 and (2) cannot be terminated by the Company on 90 days or less notice without
payment by the Company of any material penalty;
(ii) is a firm natural gas transportation Contract;
(iii) contains any provision or covenant, which after the Closing will apply to the
business of the Company, materially restricting the Company from engaging in any lawful
business activity or competing with any Person;
(iv) (A) relates to the creation, incurrence, assumption, or guarantee of any
indebtedness for borrowed money by the Company or (B) creates a capitalized lease
obligation;
(v) relates to any commodity or interest rate swap, cap or collar agreements or other
similar hedging or derivative transactions;
(vi) is in respect of the formation of any partnership or joint venture or otherwise
relates to the joint ownership or operation of the assets owned by the Company;
(vii) includes the acquisition or sale of assets with a book value in excess of
$1,000,000 (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise);
(viii) any Contract or commitment that involves a sharing of profits, losses, costs or
liabilities by the Company with any other Person; and
(ix) otherwise involves the payment by or to the Company of more than $250,000 in the
aggregate and cannot be terminated by the Company on 90 days or less notice without payment
by the Company of any material penalty.
(b) Each Contract required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 3.13(a) (collectively,
the Company Material Contracts) is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, and is in
15
full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Company and, to
the Knowledge of ETE, the other parties thereto, except, in each case, as enforcement may be
limited by Creditors Rights. ETE has made available to the Regency Parties a true and complete
copy of each Company Material Contract to which ETE has the right to provide to the Regency Parties
pursuant to the Organizational Documents of the Company.
(c) None of the Company nor, to the Knowledge of ETE, any other party to any Company Material
Contract is in default or breach in any material respect under the terms of any Company Material
Contract and no event has occurred that with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both
would constitute a breach or default in any material respect by the Company or, to the Knowledge of
ETE, any other party to any Company Material Contract, or would permit termination, modification or
acceleration under any Company Material Contract.
(d) As of the Execution Date, to the Knowledge of ETE, the Company has not received notice
that any current supplier, shipper or customer intends to amend or discontinue a business
relationship (including termination of a Company Material Contract) with the Company that could
reasonably be expected to generate revenues for the Company or pursuant to which the Company could
reasonably be expected to incur costs, in either case of $1,000,000 or more in the aggregate.
3.14 Legal Proceedings. Other than with respect to Proceedings arising under Environmental
Laws which are the subject of Section 3.12 or as is set forth on Schedule 3.14(a)
of the ETE Disclosure Schedule, there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of ETE,
threatened against the Company, except such Proceedings as would not reasonably be expected to have
a Company Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which ETE is, or will be, a party or to
materially impair ETEs ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which
its is, or will be, a party.
3.15 Permits. Other than with respect to Permits issued pursuant to or required under
Environmental Laws that are the subject of Section 3.12, the Company has all Permits as are
necessary to use, own and operate its assets in the manner such assets are currently used, owned
and operated by the Company or that will be used, owned or operated by the Company immediately
following completion of the MEP Expansion Project, except where the failure to have such Permits
would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.16 Taxes.
(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to ETC III, ETC II and the
Company have been filed and all such Tax Returns are complete and correct in all material respects
and all material Taxes due relating to ETC III, ETC II and the Company have been paid in full.
There are no material claims (other than claims being contested in good faith through appropriate
proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP) against ETC
III, ETC II or the Company for any Taxes, and no material assessment, deficiency, or adjustment has
been asserted or proposed in writing with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns of or with respect to
ETC III, ETC II or the Company. ETE expects that at least
16
90% of the gross income of the Company will consist of qualifying income within the meaning
of Section 7704(d) of the Code for the taxable year ending on December 31, 2010 (determined as if
the Company were a publicly traded partnership).
(b) No material Tax audits or administrative or judicial proceedings are being conducted or
are pending with respect to ETC III, ETC II or the Company.
(c) All material Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited by or with respect to
ETC III, ETC II or the Company have been timely withheld, collected or deposited as the case may
be, and to the extent required, have been paid to the relevant taxing authority.
(d) There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the applicable statutory periods
of limitation for any material Taxes associated with the ownership or operation of the assets of
ETC III, ETC II or the Company for any period.
(e) None of ETC III, ETC II or the Company is a party to any Tax sharing agreement.
(f) ETE is not a foreign person as defined in Section 1445(f)(3) of the Code, and the rules
and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or an entity disregarded as separate from its
owner for United States federal income tax purposes.
(g) None of ETC III, ETC II or the Company, has engaged in a transaction that would be
reportable by or with respect to ETC III, ETC II or the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulation §
1.6011-4 or any predecessor thereto.
(h) For each taxable year since its formation, each of the Company, ETC III and ETC II is, or
has been, properly classified as a partnership or an entity disregarded as separate from its owner
for United States federal income tax purposes. None of the Company, ETC III or ETC II have made an
election pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(c) to be treated as an association
taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
3.17 Employee Benefits. None of the Company, ETC III or ETC II employs or has ever employed
any employees. None of the Company, ETC III or ETC II or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
sponsors, maintains, contributes to or has an obligation to contribute to, or has, or will have, at
any time within the six years immediately preceding the Closing Date sponsored, maintained,
contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to, any employee benefit plans (within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA or any stock purchase, stock option, severance, employment,
change-in-control, fringe benefit, collective bargaining, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation,
employee loan or any other employee benefit plans, agreements, programs, policies or other
arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA. None of the Company, ETC III or ETC II has or could
reasonably be expected to have any present liability, nor do any circumstances exist that could
reasonably be expected to result in the Company, ETC III or ETC II having any future material
liabilities with respect to any current or former employees of ETP or any of its Affiliates.
3.18 Brokers Fee. Except for the fee payable to RBS Securities, Inc. which shall be paid by
ETP, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any brokers,
finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
17
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of
ETE.
3.19 Regulatory Status. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 of the ETE Disclosure
Schedule, there are no currently effective tariffs authorized and approved by the FERC as of the
date of this Agreement applicable to the Company, or currently pending material rate filings,
certificate applications, or other filings that relate to the Company made with FERC prior to the
date of this Agreement. The Company (a) has all necessary approvals from FERC to provide service
to customers pursuant to the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended,
and (b) has made all required FERC filings necessary to offer such service, except where failure to
have any such approval or to have made any such filing would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.20 Intellectual Property. The Company owns or has the right to use pursuant to license,
sublicense, agreement or otherwise all material items of Intellectual Property required in the
operation of the business as presently conducted; (b) no third party has asserted in writing
delivered to the Company an unresolved claim that the Company is infringing on the Intellectual
Property of such third party and (c) to the Knowledge of ETE, no third party is infringing on the
Intellectual Property owned by the Company.
3.21 Insurance. Schedule 3.21 of the ETE Disclosure Schedule contains, as of the
Execution Date, a complete and correct list of all liability, property, fire, casualty, product
liability, workers compensation and other insurance policies, if any, that are in full force and
effect as of the Execution Date that insure or relate to the assets of the Company (the Company
Policies). To the Knowledge of ETE, as of the Execution Date there is no claim, suit or other
matter currently pending in respect of which the Company has received any notice from the insurer
under any Company Policies disclaiming coverage, reserving rights with respect to a particular
claim or such Company Policy in general or canceling or materially amending any such Company
Policy. To the Knowledge of ETE, all premiums due and payable for such Company Policies have been
duly paid, and such Company Policies or extensions or renewals thereof in the amounts described
will be outstanding and duly in full force without interruption until the Closing Date.
3.22 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired Units.
(a) ETE has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Acquired Units and is capable
of bearing the economic risk of such investment. ETE is an accredited investor as that term is
defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D (without regard to Rule 501(a)(4)) promulgated under the
Securities Act. ETE is acquiring the Acquired Units for investment for its own account and not
with a view toward or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, or with any present
intention of distributing or selling the Acquired Units. ETE does not have any Contract or
arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any
third Person, with respect to the Acquired Units. ETE acknowledges and understands that (i) the
acquisition of the Acquired Units has not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on
an exemption therefrom and (ii) the Acquired Units will, upon such acquisition, be characterized as
restricted securities under state and federal securities laws. ETE agrees that
18
the Acquired Units may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or
otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act or pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act,
and in compliance with other applicable state and federal securities laws.
(b) ETE has undertaken such investigation as it has deemed necessary to enable it to make an
informed and intelligent decision with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the acquisition of the Acquired Units. ETE has had an opportunity to ask questions
and receive answers from Regency regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Acquired
Units and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of Regency. The foregoing,
however, does not modify the representations and warranties of the Regency Parties in Article
IV and such representations and warranties constitute the sole and exclusive representations
and warranties of the Regency Parties to ETE in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
3.23 Budget. Attached as Schedule 3.23 of the ETE Disclosure Schedule is the draft
budget of the Company for fiscal year 2010 as of the Execution Date.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE REGENCY PARTIES
The Regency Parties hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to ETE as follows:
4.1 Organization; Qualification. Each Regency Party is an entity duly formed, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite
organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified, registered or licensed to do business
as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the property owned,
leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so duly qualified, registered or licensed and in good
standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect or to prevent
or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents
to which it is, or will be, a party or to materially impair the ability of each Regency Party to
perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party. The
Regency Parties have made available to ETE true and complete copies of the Organizational Documents
of each Regency Entity, as in effect on the Execution Date.
4.2 Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance.
(a) Each Regency Party has the requisite partnership or limited liability company power and
authority to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party, and
to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. The execution and delivery by each Regency
Party of the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party, and the consummation by it
of the transactions contemplated thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by such Regency
Party, and no other limited liability company or limited partnership proceedings, as applicable, on
the part of such Regency Party are necessary to authorize the
19
Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party or to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will be, a party.
(b) The Transaction Documents to which each Regency Party is, or will be, a party have been
(or will be, when executed and delivered at the Closing) duly executed and delivered by such
Regency Party, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties
thereto, each Transaction Document to which such Regency Party is, or will be, a party constitutes
(or will constitute, when executed and delivered at the Closing) the valid and binding agreement of
such Regency Party, enforceable against such Regency Party in accordance with its terms, except as
such enforceability may be limited by Creditors Rights.
(c) The issuance of the Acquired Units pursuant to this Agreement has been duly authorized in
accordance with the Organizational Documents of Regency and, when issued and delivered to ETE in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Acquired Units will be validly issued, fully paid
(to the extent required under the Regency Partnership Agreement), nonassessable (except as such
nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act) and
free of any restriction upon voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the Organizational Documents of
Regency or any Contract to which any of the Regency Entities is a party or by which any property or
asset of any such Person is bound or affected.
4.3 Non-Contravention. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 of the Regency Disclosure
Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which each
Regency Party is, or will be, a party by such Regency Party and the consummation by such Regency
Party of the transactions contemplated thereby does not and will not: (a) result in any breach of
any provision of the Organizational Documents of any Regency Entity; (b) constitute a default (or
an event that with notice or passage of time or both would give rise to a default) under, or give
rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration (with or without the
giving of notice, or the passage of time or both) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of any Contract to which any Regency Entity is a party or by which any property or asset of any
Regency Entity is bound or affected; (c) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in
Section 4.4, violate any Law to which any Regency Entity is subject or by which any of any
Regency Entitys properties or assets is bound; or (d) constitute (with or without the giving of
notice or the passage of time or both) an event which would result in the creation of any Lien
(other than Permitted Liens) on any asset of any Regency Entity, except, in the cases of clauses
(b), (c) and (d), for such defaults or rights of termination, cancellation, amendment,
acceleration, violations or Liens as would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material
Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by the Transaction Documents to which such Regency Party is, or will be, a party or to materially
impair such Regency Partys ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to
which it is, or will be, a party.
4.4 Governmental Approvals. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 of the Regency
Disclosure Schedule no declaration, filing or registration with, or notice to, or authorization,
consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by either
Regency Party of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which it, or will
be, a party, other than (a) filings under the HSR Act and (b) such other declarations, filings,
20
registrations, notices, authorizations, consents or approvals that have been obtained or made
or that would in the ordinary course be made or obtained after the Closing, or which, if not
obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect or to
prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents to which such Regency Party is, or will be, a party or to materially impair such Regency
Partys ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is, or will
be, a party.
4.5 Capitalization.
(a) As of the Execution Date: (i) 93,191,602 Regency Common Units were issued and outstanding,
(ii) 4,371,586 Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units of Regency (Regency Series A
Units), which Regency Series A Units are convertible into Regency Common Units at an initial
conversion price of $18.30 per unit, subject to adjustment, were issued and outstanding and (iii)
1,155,129 Regency Common Units were available for issuance under Regencys employee benefit plans,
of which 297,651 Regency Common Units were subject to issuance upon exercise of outstanding Regency
options, 267,135 Regency Common Units were subject to issuance upon the vesting of outstanding
phantom units and 355,609 Regency Common Units were subject to issuance upon the vesting of
outstanding un-vested restricted units.
(b) All of the limited partner interests in Regency are duly authorized and validly issued in
accordance with the Organizational Documents of Regency, and are fully paid (to the extent required
under the Organizational Documents of Regency) and nonassessable (except as nonassessability may be
affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act) and were not issued in
violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.
(c) Except as set forth in the Organizational Documents of Regency and except as provided in
Section 4.5(a), there are no preemptive rights or other outstanding rights, options,
warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights,
agreements, arrangements, calls, subscription agreements, commitments or rights of any kind that
obligate any of the Regency Entities to issue or sell any equity interests of Regency or any
securities or obligations convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person
a right to subscribe for or acquire, any equity interests in Regency, and no securities or
obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding.
(d) Except for the Regency Series A Units, none of the Regency Entities has outstanding any
bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or
convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the holders of equity
interests in Regency on any matter.
(e) RGPLP is the sole general partner of Regency with a 2.0% general partner interest in
Regency (the Regency GP Interest) and owns 100% of the Incentive Distribution Rights
(collectively with the Regency GP Interest, the Regency GP LP Interests). The Regency GP LP
Interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Regency Partnership
Agreement and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of
21
first refusal or other similar rights of any Person. The Regency GP LP Interests are owned by
RGPLP free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) transfer restrictions imposed by federal and
state securities laws and (ii) any transfer restrictions contained in the Regency Partnership
Agreement.
4.6 Compliance with Law. Except for Environmental Laws, Laws requiring the obtaining or
maintenance of a Permit and Tax matters, which are the subject of Sections 4.11,
4.14 and 4.15, respectively, and except as to specific matters disclosed in the
Regency SEC Documents filed or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof
(excluding any disclosures included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or
any other disclosures in such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or
forward-looking and general in nature), or that would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency
Material Adverse Effect, (a) each of the Regency Entities is in compliance with all applicable
Laws, (b) none of the Regency Entities has received written notice of any violation of any
applicable Law and (c) to the Knowledge of Regency, none of the Regency Entities is under
investigation by any Governmental Authority for potential non-compliance with any Law.
4.7 Title to Properties and Assets. Except as to matters that would not reasonably be
expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect, each Regency Entity has title to or rights or
interests in its real property and personal property, free and clear of all Liens (subject to
Permitted Liens), sufficient to allow it to conduct its business as currently being conducted.
4.8 Rights-of-Way. Except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a
Regency Material Adverse Effect, (a) each Regency Entity has such Rights-of-Way from each Person as
are necessary to use, own and operate each Regency Entitys assets in the manner such assets are
currently used, owned and operated by each Regency Entity, (b) each Regency Entity has fulfilled
and performed all of its obligations with respect to such Rights-of-Way and (c) no event has
occurred that allows, or after the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would allow,
revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of
any such Rights-of-Way.
4.9 Regency SEC Reports; Financial Statements.
(a) Regency has furnished or filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents (including exhibits and other information incorporated therein) required to be furnished
or filed by Regency with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since January 1, 2009 (such
documents being collectively referred to as the Regency SEC Documents).
(b) Each Regency SEC Document (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects with
the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such Regency SEC Document and (ii) did
not at the time it was filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing or amendment prior to the
date of this Agreement, then at the time of such filing or amendment) contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
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(c) Each of the financial statements of Regency included in the Regency SEC Documents
(Regency Financial Statements) complied at the time it was filed as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the
SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods presented thereby and fairly present in all material respects the
consolidated financial position and operating results, equity and cash flows of Regency as of, and
for the periods ended on, the respective dates thereof, subject, however, in the case of unaudited
financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and accruals and the absence of notes
and other textual disclosures as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC.
(d) None of the Regency Entities has any liability, whether accrued, contingent, absolute or
otherwise, except for (i) liabilities set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Regency dated
as of March 31, 2010 or the notes thereto, (ii) liabilities that have arisen since March 31, 2010
in the ordinary course of business and (iii) liabilities that would not reasonably be expected to
have a Regency Material Adverse Effect.
4.10 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 of the Regency
Disclosure Schedule, as to specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents filed or
furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures
included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or any other disclosures in
such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward-looking and general in
nature), or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 2009, the business of
the Regency Entities has been conducted in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past
practice and there has not been (a) any event, occurrence or development which has had, or would be
reasonably expected to have, a Regency Material Adverse Effect or (b) the occurrence of any of the
transactions or matters described in Section 5.2(b).
4.11 Environmental Matters. Except as to matters set forth on Schedule 4.11 of the
Regency Disclosure Schedule, as to specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents filed or
furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures
included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or any other disclosures in
such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward-looking and general in
nature), and for matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse
Effect:
(a) each of the Regency Entities is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(b) each of the Regency Entities possesses all Permits required under Environmental Laws for
its operations as currently conducted and is in compliance with the terms of such Permits, and such
Permits are in full force and effect;
(c) none of the Regency Entities nor any of their properties or operations are subject to any
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Regency Parties, threatened Proceeding arising under any
Environmental Law, nor has any of the Regency Entities received any written and pending
23
notice, order or complaint from any Governmental Authority alleging a violation of or
liability arising under any Environmental Law;
(d) Regency has made available to ETE complete and correct copies of all material
environmental site assessment reports and studies relating to the Regency Entities; and
(e) to the Knowledge of Regency, there has been no Release of Hazardous Substances on, at,
under, to, or from any of the properties of the Regency Entities, or from or in connection with the
Regency Entities operations in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any
liability pursuant to any Environmental Law.
4.12 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12 of the Regency Disclosure Schedule or filed
with any Regency SEC Document (including by incorporation by reference) filed with the SEC on or
after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof, as of the Execution Date, none of the Regency
Entities is a party to or bound by any Contract that:
(i) is of a type that would be required to be included as an exhibit to a Registration
Statement on Form S-1 pursuant to Items 601(b)(2), (4), (9) or (10) of Regulation S-K of the
SEC if such a registration statement was filed by Regency on the Execution Date;
(ii) contains any provision or covenant which materially restricts any Regency Entity
or any Affiliate thereof from engaging in any lawful business activity or competing with any
Person;
(iii) (A) relates to the creation, incurrence, assumption, or guarantee of any
indebtedness for borrowed money by any Regency Entity or (B) creates a capitalized lease
obligation (except, in the cases of clauses (A) and (B), any such Contract with an aggregate
principal amount not exceeding $10,000,000);
(iv) is in respect of the formation of any partnership or joint venture or otherwise
relates to the joint ownership or operation of the assets owned by any of the Regency
Entities involving assets or obligations in excess of $75,000,000;
(v) includes the acquisition or sale of assets with a book value in excess of
$50,000,000 (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise);
(vi) any Contract or commitment that involves a sharing of profits, losses, costs or
liabilities by any Regency Entity with any other Person other than gas processing contracts;
and
(vii) otherwise involves the annual payment by or to any of the Regency Entities of
more than $10,000,000 and cannot be terminated by the Regency Entities on 90 days or less
notice without payment by the Regency Entities of any material penalty (in each case other
than any contract described in Section 4.12(b)).
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(b) Except as provided on Schedule 4.12 of the Regency Disclosure Schedule, Regency
has made available to ETE (i) each Contract described in Section 4.12(a) and (ii) each
Contract to which any of the Regency Entities is bound as of the Execution Date that relates to (A)
the purchase of materials, supplies, goods, services or other assets, (B) the purchase, sale,
transporting, treating, gathering, processing or storing of, or gas compressing services rendered
in connection with, natural gas, condensate or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons or the products
therefrom, or the provision of services related thereto or (C) the construction of capital assets,
in the cases of clauses (A), (B) and (C) that (i) provides for either (1) annual payments by or to
any of the Regency Entities in excess of $10,000,000 or (2) aggregate payments by or to any of the
Regency Entities in excess of $10,000,000 (all such Contracts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)
being referred to as the Regency Material Contracts).
(c) Each Regency Material Contract is a valid and binding obligation of the applicable Regency
Entity, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms against such
Regency Entity and, to the Knowledge of Regency, the other parties thereto, except, in each case,
as enforcement may be limited by Creditors Rights.
(d) None of the Regency Entities nor, to the Knowledge of Regency, any other party to any
Regency Material Contract is in default or breach in any material respect under the terms of any
Regency Material Contract and no event has occurred that with the giving of notice or the passage
of time or both would constitute a breach or default in any material respect by such Regency Entity
or, to the Knowledge of Regency, any other party to any Regency Material Contract, or would permit
termination, modification or acceleration under any Regency Material Contract.
4.13 Legal Proceedings. Other than with respect to Proceedings arising under Environmental
Laws which are the subject of Section 4.11, as set forth on Schedule 4.13 of
Regency Disclosure Schedule, or as to specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents filed
or furnished on or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures
included in any risk factor section of such Regency SEC Documents or any other disclosures in
such Regency SEC Documents to the extent they are predictive or forward-looking and general in
nature), there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Regency Parties, threatened
against the Regency Entities, except such Proceedings as would not reasonably be expected to have a
Regency Material Adverse Effect or to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents to which Regency is, or will be, a party or
to materially impair Regencys ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents
to which its is, or will be, a party.
4.14 Permits. Other than with respect to Permits issued pursuant to or required under
Environmental Laws which are the subject of Section 4.11, the Regency Entities have all
Permits as are necessary to use, own and operate its assets in the manner such assets are currently
used, owned and operated by the Regency Entities, except where the failure to have such Permits
would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect.
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4.15 Taxes.
(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to the Regency Entities have
been filed and all such Tax Returns are complete and correct in all material respects and all
material Taxes due relating to the Regency Entities have been paid in full. There are no claims
(other than claims being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP) against any Regency Entity for any
material Taxes, and no material assessment, deficiency, or adjustment has been asserted or proposed
in writing with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns of or with respect to any Regency Entity.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15(b) of the Regency Disclosure Schedule, no
material Tax audits or administrative or judicial proceedings are being conducted or are pending
with respect to any Regency Entity.
(c) All material Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited by or with respect to
the Regency Entities have been timely withheld, collected or deposited as the case may be, and to
the extent required, have been paid to the relevant taxing authority.
(d) There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the applicable statutory periods
of limitation for any material Taxes associated with the ownership or operation of the assets of
the Regency Entities for any period.
(e) No Regency Entity is a party to any Tax sharing agreement.
(f) No Regency Entity has engaged in a transaction that would be reportable by or with respect
to any Regency Entity pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.6011-4 or any predecessor thereto.
(g) Each of the Regency Entities that is characterized as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes and has filed a federal income tax return has in effect an election pursuant to Section
754 of the Code. For each taxable year beginning with Regencys initial public offering, Regency
is, or has been, properly classified as a partnership or an entity disregarded as separate from its
owner for United States federal income tax purposes. For each taxable year since its formation,
Regency SPV is, or has been, properly classified as a partnership or an entity disregarded as
separate from its owner for United States federal income tax purposes. Neither Regency nor Regency
SPV has made an election pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(c) to be treated as an
association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
4.16 Employee Benefits; Employment and Labor Matters.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16(a) of the Regency Disclosure Schedule or
filed with any Regency SEC Document (including by incorporation by reference) filed with the SEC on
or after January 1, 2010 and prior to the date hereof, no Regency Entity, nor any ERISA Affiliate
of any Regency Entity, sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has sponsored, maintained or
contributed to within six years prior to the Closing Date any of the following:
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(i) any employee benefit plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA
(including, but not limited to, employee benefit plans, such as foreign plans, which are not
subject to the provisions of ERISA, but excluding any multiemployer plan within the meaning
of Section 3(37) of ERISA or multiple employer plan with the meaning of Section 4063(a) of
ERISA); or
(ii) any material personnel policy, equity-based plan (including, but not limited to,
stock option plans, stock purchase plans, stock appreciation rights and phantom stock
plans), collective bargaining agreement, bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award plan or
arrangement, vacation policy, severance pay plan or arrangements, change in control policies
or agreement, deferred compensation agreement or arrangement, executive compensation or
supplemental income arrangement, consulting agreement, employment agreement and each other
employee benefit plan, agreement, arrangement, program, practice or understanding which is
not described in Section 4.16(a)(i) (collectively, along with the plans described in
Section 4.16(a)(i) above, the Regency Benefit Plans).
(b) True, correct and complete copies of each of the Regency Benefit Plans, related trusts,
insurance or group annuity contracts and each other funding or financing arrangement relating to
any Plan, including all amendments thereto, have been made available to ETE. and there has been
made available to ETE, with respect to each Regency Benefit Plan required to file such report and
description, the most recent report on Form 5500 and the summary plan description. Additionally,
the most recent determination letter or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service for each
of the Regency Benefit Plans intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code, and any
outstanding determination letter application for such plans has been made available to ETE.
(c) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.16(c) of the Regency Disclosure Schedule and
except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse
Effect:
(i) each Regency Benefit Plan has been administered in compliance with its terms, the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws and the terms of all
applicable collective bargaining agreements;
(ii) there are no actions, suits or claims pending (other than routine claims for
benefits) or, to the Knowledge of the Regency Entities, threatened, with respect to any
Regency Benefit Plan and no Regency Benefit Plan is under audit or is subject to an
investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or any other federal
or state governmental agency nor, to the Knowledge of the Regency Parties, is any such audit
or investigation pending;
(iii) no Regency Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA;
(iv) all contributions and payments required to be made by any Regency Entity or an
ERISA Affiliate of any Regency Entity to or under each Regency Benefit Plan have been timely
made;
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(v) as to any Regency Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the
Code, there has been no termination or partial termination of such plan within the meaning
of Section 411(d)(3) of the Code; and
(vi) none of the Regency Entities or any of their ERISA Affiliates have any liability
with respect to any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or
multiple employer plan with the meaning of Section 4063(a) of ERISA.
(d) In connection with the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, no
payments have or will be made under the Regency Benefit Plans which, in the aggregate, would result
in the loss of deduction or the imposition any excise tax under sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.
(e) No Regency Benefits Plan provides retiree medical or retiree life insurance benefits to
any person and none of the Regency Entities is contractually or otherwise obligated (whether or not
in writing) to provide any person with life insurance or medical benefits upon retirement or
termination of employment, in any case other than as required by the provisions of Section 601
through 608 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code or otherwise as required by applicable law.
Additionally, each Regency Benefits Plan which is an employee welfare benefit plan, as such term
is defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, may be unilaterally amended or terminated in its entirety
without liability except as to benefits accrued thereunder prior to such amendment or termination.
(f) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect, (i)
each of the Regency Entities is in compliance with all applicable labor and employment Laws
including, without limitation, all Laws, rules, regulations, orders, rulings, decrees, judgments
and awards relating to employment discrimination, payment of wages, overtime compensation,
immigration, occupational health and safety, and wrongful discharge; (ii) no action, suit,
complaint, charge, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental
Authority, brought by or on behalf of any employee, prospective or former employee or labor
organization or other representative of the employees or of any prospective or former employees of
any of the Regency Entities is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Regency Entities, threatened
against any of the Regency Entities, any present or former director or employee (including with
respect to alleged sexual harassment, unfair labor practices or discrimination); and (iii) none of
the Regency Entities is subject to or otherwise bound by, any material consent decree, order, or
agreement with, any Governmental Authority relating to employees or former employees of any of the
Regency Entities. None of the Regency Entities is a signatory party to or otherwise subject to any
collective bargaining agreements, and none of the employees of the Regency Entities is represented
by a labor union; and there is no labor dispute, strike, work stoppage or other labor trouble
(including any organizational drive) against any of the Regency Entities pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Regency Parties, threatened.
4.17 Brokers Fee. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17 of the Regency Disclosure
Schedule, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any
brokers, finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of
Regency.
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4.18 Regulatory Status.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18 of the Regency Disclosure Schedule, or for
specific matters disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents filed or furnished on or after January 1,
2010 and prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures included in any risk factor section
of such Regency SEC Documents or any other disclosures in such Regency SEC Documents to the extent
they are predictive or forward-looking and general in nature) there are no currently effective
tariffs authorized and approved by the FERC as of the date of this Agreement applicable to the
Regency Entities, or currently pending material rate filings, certificate applications, or other
filings that relate to any of the Regency Entities made with FERC prior to the date of this
Agreement. The Regency Entities (i) have all necessary approvals from FERC to provide service to
customers pursuant to the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended, and
(ii) have made all required FERC filings necessary to offer such service, except where failure to
have any such approval or to have made any such filing would not reasonably be expected to have a
Regency Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Regency is not an investment company or a company controlled by an investment
company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
4.19 Intellectual Property. The Regency Entities own or have the right to use pursuant to
license, sublicense, agreement or otherwise all material items of Intellectual Property required in
the operation of the business as presently conducted; (b) no third party has asserted in writing
delivered to the Regency Entities an unresolved claim that any of the Regency Entities is
infringing on the Intellectual Property of such third party and (c) to the Knowledge of Regency, no
third party is infringing on the Intellectual Property owned by the Regency Entities.
4.20 Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired Interests.
(a) Regency has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Acquired Interests and is
capable of bearing the economic risk of such investment. Regency is an accredited investor as
that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D (without regard to Rule 501(a)(4)) promulgated
under the Securities Act. The Regency Parties are acquiring the Acquired Interests for investment
for their own account and not with a view toward or for sale in connection with any distribution
thereof, or with any present intention of distributing or selling the Acquired Interests. Neither
of the Regency Parties has any Contract or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant
participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to the Acquired Interests. The
Regency Parties acknowledge and understand that (i) the acquisition of the Acquired Interests has
not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on an exemption therefrom and (ii) the
Acquired Interests will, upon such acquisition, be characterized as restricted securities under
state and federal securities laws. The Regency Parties agree that the Acquired Interests may not
be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of except (A)
in accordance with the requirements of the ETC III LLC Agreement, ETC II LLC Agreement and Company
LLC Agreement, (B) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or
pursuant to an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in
compliance with other applicable state and
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federal securities laws or (C) to the extent pledged or hypothecated pursuant to the terms of
the Regency Credit Facility.
(b) The Regency Parties have undertaken such investigation as they have deemed necessary to
enable them to make an informed and intelligent decision with respect to the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the acquisition of the Acquired Interests. The Regency
Parties have had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from ETE regarding the terms
and conditions of the offering of the Acquired Interests and the business, properties, prospects,
and financial condition of the Company (to the extent ETE possessed such information). The
foregoing, however, does not modify the representations and warranties of ETE in Article
III and such representations and warranties constitute the sole and exclusive representations
and warranties of ETE to the Regency Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
5.1 Conduct of the Companys Business. From the Execution Date through the Closing, except as
described in Schedule 5.1 to the Company Disclosure Schedule or consented to or approved in
writing by Regency (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), ETE shall
not (a) consent to or approve of any action, or waive its rights to consent to or approve of any
action, for which ETEs consent or approval is required under Section 5.1 of the ETP
Redemption Agreement, (b) agree to amend the ETP Redemption Agreement in any manner that would
reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Regency Parties rights under this Agreement or (c)
exercise its rights under Section 7.1(a)] of the ETP Redemption Agreement to terminate the
ETP Redemption Agreement.
5.2 Conduct of Regencys Business.
(a) From the Execution Date through the Closing, except as permitted or required by the other
terms of this Agreement, described in Schedule 5.2 of the Regency Disclosure Schedule, or
consented to or approved in writing by ETE (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned
or delayed), Regency shall, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
(i) conduct its business and activities in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;
(ii) use reasonable best efforts to preserve intact their goodwill and relationships
with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with them with respect
thereto;
(iii) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to them; and
(iv) use reasonable best efforts to maintain in full force without interruption its
present insurance policies or comparable insurance coverage of the Regency Parties.
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(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 5.2(a), and except as described in
Schedule 5.2(b) of the Regency Disclosure Schedule, or consented to or approved in writing
by ETE (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), Regency shall not, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:
(i) make any material change or amendment to its Organizational Documents;
(ii) purchase any securities or ownership interests of, or make any investment in any
Person, other than (A) ordinary course overnight investments consistent with the cash
management policies of such Person and (B) purchases and investments in addition to those
contemplated by clause (A) not in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate;
(iii) make any capital expenditure in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate, except as
required on an emergency basis or for the safety of individuals or the environment;
(iv) make any material change to its tax methods, principles or elections;
(v) except as required under its Organizational Documents, declare or pay any
distributions in respect of any of its equity securities or partnership units except (A) in
the case of Regency, the declaration and payment of regular quarterly cash distributions of
Available Cash from Operating Surplus (each as defined in the Regency Partnership
Agreement), not in excess of $0.46 per Regency Common Unit per quarter, plus any
corresponding distribution on the general partner interest and Incentive Distribution
Rights, (B) regular quarterly distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus, not in
excess of $0.445 per quarter, in respect of the Regency Series A Units and (C) the
declaration and payment of distributions from any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary
of Regency;
(vi) split, combine or reclassify any of its equity securities or partnership units or
issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for, its equity securities or partnership units, except for any such
transaction by a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency that remains a direct
or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency after consummation of such transaction;
(vii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity securities or
partnership units or any securities convertible into or exercisable for any equity
securities or partnership units other than redemptions to satisfy federal income tax
withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of units under Regencys long-term
incentive plan;
(viii) except for the Acquired Units, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or dispose of, or
authorize the issuance, delivery, sale, pledge or disposition of, any (A) equity securities
or partnership units of any class, (B) debt securities having the right to vote on any
matters on which holders of capital stock or members or partners of the same issuer may vote
or (C) securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any rights, warrants, calls or
options to acquire, any such securities, other than issuances (1) by a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency of equity securities or partnership units to such
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Persons parent or any other direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Regency and
(2) pursuant to awards outstanding prior to the date of this Agreement under the Regency
Benefit Plans which are reflected on Schedule 4.16 of the Regency Disclosure
Schedule;
(ix) purchase or sell assets, other than purchases or sales of inventory in the
ordinary course, with a value exceeding $50,000,000 individually or $50,000,000 in the
aggregate;
(x) create, incur, guarantee or assume any Indebtedness for borrowed money exceeding
$100,000,000 in the aggregate;
(xi) enter into any joint venture or similar arrangement with a third party (other than
in the ordinary course of business) involving assets or obligations in excess of
$75,000,000;
(xii) (A) settle any claims, demands, lawsuits or state or federal regulatory
proceedings for damages to the extent such settlements assess damages in excess of
$10,000,000 in the aggregate (other than any claims, demands, lawsuits or proceedings to the
extent insured (net of deductibles), reserved against in the Regency Financial Statements or
covered by an indemnity obligation not subject to dispute or adjustment from a solvent
indemnitor) or (B) settle any claims, demands, lawsuits or state or federal regulatory
proceedings seeking an injunction or other equitable relief where such settlements would
have or would reasonably be expected to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect;
(xiii) except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Section 5.2, merge with
or into, or consolidate with, any other Person or acquire all or substantially all of the
business or assets of any other Person;
(xiv) take any action with respect to or in contemplation of any liquidation,
dissolution, recapitalization, reorganization or other winding up;
(xv) change or modify any accounting policies, except as required by applicable
regulatory authorities or independent accountants;
(xvi) approve or make material modifications of the salaries, bonuses or other
compensation (including incentive compensation) payable to any individual whose base salary
exceeds $200,000 per annum or adopt or make any material amendment to any employee
compensation, benefit or incentive plans;
(xvii) modify, make any material amendment to or voluntarily terminate, prior to the
expiration date thereof, any Regency Material Contracts or waive any default by, or release,
settle or compromise any claim against, any other party thereto; or
(xviii) agree or commit to take any of the actions described above.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 5.2
shall prohibit Regency from taking any action, or approving the taking by any of its Subsidiaries
of
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any action, if, prior to taking such action, or approving the taking of such action, Regency
determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to take such
action, or to approve the taking of such action, would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with
the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing imposed on Regency or such
Subsidiary in its capacity as a partner in the RIGS JV and a party to the RIGS JV Agreement under
the Delaware Revised Uniform Partnership Act.
5.3 Notice of Certain Events. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Parties of:
(a) any event, condition or development that has resulted in the inaccuracy or breach of any
representation or warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement made by or to be
complied with by such notifying Party at any time during the term hereof and that would reasonably
be expected to result in any of the conditions set forth in Article VI not to be satisfied;
provided, however, that no such notification shall be deemed to cure any such breach of or
inaccuracy in such notifying Partys representations and warranties or covenants and agreements or
in the ETE Disclosure Schedule or the Regency Disclosure Schedule for any purpose under this
Agreement and no such notification shall limit or otherwise affect the remedies available to the
other Parties;
(b) any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person
is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents;
(c) any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; and
(d) any Proceedings commenced that would be reasonably expected to prevent or materially delay
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or materially impair
the notifying Partys ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.
5.4 Access to Information.
(a) From the Execution Date until the Closing Date, ETE will, upon request by the Regency
Parties, exercise its rights under Section 5.3 of the ETP Redemption Agreement in order to afford
the Regency Parties, their counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized
representatives (collectively, Representatives) such access and information as ETP has agreed to
provide to ETE and its Representatives under Section 5.3 of the ETP Redemption Agreement. To the
fullest extent permitted by Law, ETE and its Representatives and Affiliates shall (i) not be
responsible or liable to the Regency Parties for personal injuries sustained by the Regency
Parties Representatives in connection with the access provided pursuant to this Section
5.4(a) and (ii) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Regency Parties for any losses
suffered by any such Persons in connection with any such personal injuries; provided such personal
injuries are not caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of ETE. The Regency Parties
agree that they will not, and will cause their Representatives not to, use any information obtained
pursuant to this Section 5.4(a) for any purpose unrelated to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(b) From the Execution Date until the Closing Date, Regency will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, (i) give ETE and its Representatives reasonable access to the offices, properties,
books and records of Regency and its Subsidiaries, in each case during normal business hours and
(ii) furnish to ETE and its Representatives such financial and operating data and other information
relating to Regency and its Subsidiaries as such Persons may reasonably request, subject to ETEs
and its Representatives compliance with applicable Law governing the use of such information.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.4(b), Regency shall not be
required to, or to cause any of its Subsidiaries to, grant access or furnish information to ETE or
any of its Representatives to the extent that such information is subject to an attorney/client or
attorney work product privilege or that such access or the furnishing of such information is
prohibited by law or an existing contract or agreement. To the extent practicable, Regency shall
make reasonable and appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the
restrictions of the preceding sentence apply. Any investigation pursuant to this Section
5.4(b) shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere with the conduct of the business
of Regency or its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ETE shall not be entitled to
perform any intrusive or subsurface investigation or other sampling of, on or under any of the
properties of Regency or its Subsidiaries without the prior written consent of Regency. To the
fullest extent permitted by Law, Regency and its Representatives and Affiliates shall (A) not be
responsible or liable to ETE for personal injuries sustained by ETEs Representatives in connection
with the access provided pursuant to this Section 5.4(b) and (B) shall be indemnified and
held harmless by ETE for any losses suffered by any such Persons in connection with any such
personal injuries; provided such personal injuries are not caused by the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of Regency. ETE agrees that it will not, and will cause its Representatives not
to, use any information obtained pursuant to this Section 5.4(b) for any purpose unrelated
to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.5 Governmental Approvals.
(a) The Parties will cooperate with each other and use reasonable best efforts to obtain from
any Governmental Authorities any consents, licenses, permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations or
orders required to be obtained and to make any filings with or notifications or submissions to any
Governmental Authority that are necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by
the Transaction Documents and the Regency GP Purchase Agreement and shall diligently and
expeditiously prosecute, and shall cooperate fully with each other in the prosecution of, such
matters.
(b) Without limiting Section 5.5(a), as soon as practicable following the Execution
Date, but in no event later than ten Business Days following the Execution Date, the Parties shall
make such filings as may be required by the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated
by the Transaction Documents (other than the Option Agreement), which filings shall include a
request for early termination of any applicable waiting period. Thereafter, the Parties shall file
as promptly as practicable all reports or other documents required or requested by the U.S. Federal
Trade Commission or the U.S. Department of Justice pursuant to the HSR Act or otherwise including
requests for additional information concerning such transactions, so that the waiting period
specified in the HSR Act will expire or be terminated as soon as reasonably possible after the
Execution Date. Each Party shall cause their respective counsel to furnish each other Party such
necessary information and reasonable assistance as such other
34
Party may reasonably request in connection with the Parties preparation of necessary filings
or submissions under the provisions of the HSR Act. Each Party shall cause their counsel to supply
to each other Party copies of the date stamped receipt copy of the cover letters delivering the
filings or submissions required under the HSR Act to any Governmental Authority. Regency shall pay
the statutory filing fee associated with filings under the HSR Act.
(c) The Parties agree to cooperate with each other and use reasonable best efforts to contest
and resist, any Proceeding, and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any decree,
judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) of any
Governmental Authority that is in effect and that restricts, prevents or prohibits the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the Regency GP Purchase
Agreement.
5.6 Legends. If the Acquired Interests are certificated, the Regency Parties agree to the
imprinting, so long as the restrictions described in the legend are applicable, of the following
legend on any certificates evidencing all or any portion of the Acquired Interests:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE
SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT) AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF [___] (THE LLC
AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THEY MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT (A) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS
OF THE LLC AGREEMENT AND (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT
AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
5.7 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by ETE in connection with the Transaction
Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby shall be paid by ETE and all costs and expenses
incurred by the Regency Parties in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions
contemplated thereby shall be paid by the Regency Parties; provided, however, that if any action at
law or equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of the Transaction Documents, the
prevailing Party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees and expenses in addition to any
other relief to which such Party may be entitled.
5.8 Further Assurances; Efforts to Release Guarantees.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the Parties shall use its
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or cause to be done,
all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each
Party will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain timely all authorizations, consents and
approvals of all third parties necessary in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement prior to the Closing. The Parties will coordinate
35
and cooperate with each other in exchanging such information and assistance as any of the
Parties hereto may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing.
(b) The Regency Parties shall cooperate with ETE and ETP to cause the release of both ETP and
ETE from any and all obligations that either ETP or ETE have to guaranty the performance of ETC III
under the Company LLC Agreement following the Closing, and to substitute and replace such
obligations of ETP or ETE with an absolute and unconditional guaranty by Regency of ETC IIIs
performance under the Company LLC Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if
at any time after the Closing Regency satisfies the Credit Standards (as defined in the Company LLC
Agreement), Regency shall substitute and replace such obligations of ETP or ETE with an absolute
and unconditional guaranty by Regency of ETC IIIs performance under the Company LLC Agreement.
Until such time as Regency has caused the substitution and replacement of ETP and ETEs obligations
pursuant to the preceding sentence, Regency shall not permit ETC III to commit to the making of any
Capital Contribution (as defined in the Company LLC Agreement) prior to the funding of such Capital
Contribution that, together with all other unfunded Capital Contributions committed to by ETC III
and ETC II, exceeds $5,000,000 unless (i) such Capital Contribution has been approved in writing by
ETE and ETP or (ii) prior to causing ETC III to commit to such Capital Contribution, Regency
provides Acceptable Credit Support in respect thereof.
(c) The Regency Parties shall cooperate to cause the release of both ETP and ETE from any and
all obligations that either ETP or ETE have to guaranty the performance of ETC II under the Company
LLC Agreement following the Option Closing, and to substitute and replace such obligations of ETP
or ETE with an absolute and unconditional guaranty by Regency of ETC IIs performance under the
Company LLC Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if at any time after the
Option Closing Regency satisfies the Credit Standards (as defined in the Company LLC Agreement),
Regency shall substitute and replace such obligations of ETP or ETE with an absolute and
unconditional guaranty by Regency of ETC IIs performance under the Company LLC Agreement. Until
such time as Regency has caused the substitution and replacement of ETP and ETEs obligations
pursuant to the preceding sentence, Regency shall not permit ETC II to commit to the making of any
Capital Contribution (as defined in the Company LLC Agreement) prior to the funding of such Capital
Contribution that, together with all other unfunded Capital Contributions committed to by ETC II
and ETC III, exceeds $5,000,000 unless (i) such Capital Contribution has been approved in writing
by ETE and ETP or (ii) prior to causing ETC II to commit to such Capital Contribution, Regency
provides Acceptable Credit Support in respect thereof.
(d) The Regency Parties shall cooperate with ETE and ETP to reduce, as of the Closing, ETPs
(and if applicable, ETEs) Stated Percentage (as defined in the ETP Guaranty Agreement) from 49.9%
to 0.1%. In furtherance of this obligation, if at any time after the Closing Regency becomes a
Qualified Additional Guarantor (as defined in the MEP Credit Agreement), Regency shall promptly
enter into a Credit Guaranty Agreement with a Stated Percentage thereunder of 49.9%, in form, scope
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Regency.
(e) The Regency Parties shall cooperate to reduce, as of the Option Closing, ETPs (and if
applicable, ETEs) Stated Percentage (as defined in the ETP Guaranty Agreement) to 0%.
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In furtherance of this obligation, if at any time after the Option Closing Regency becomes a
Qualified Additional Guarantor (as defined in the MEP Credit Agreement), Regency shall promptly
enter into a Credit Guaranty Agreement with a Stated Percentage thereunder of 49.9%, in form, scope
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Regency.
5.9 Public Statements. The Parties shall consult with each other prior to issuing any public
announcement, statement or other disclosure with respect to the Transaction Documents or the
transactions contemplated thereby and none of ETE and its Affiliates on one hand nor the Regency
Parties and their respective Affiliates on the other shall issue any such public announcement,
statement or other disclosure without having first notified ETE on one hand or the Regency Parties
on the other; provided, however, that any of ETE and its Affiliates, on one hand, and any of the
Regency Parties and their respective Affiliates, on the other, may make any public disclosure
without first so consulting with or notifying the other Party or Parties if such disclosing party
believes that it is required to do so by Law or by any stock exchange listing requirement or
trading agreement concerning the publicly traded securities of ETE or any of its Affiliates, on one
hand, or the Regency Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, on the other.
5.10 Common Units. ETE agrees to the imprinting, so long as the restrictions described in the
legend are applicable, of the following legend on any certificates evidencing all or any portion of
the Acquired Units:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE
SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT) AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP. THE HOLDER OF
THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT
BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE
THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH
JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF REGENCY ENERGY
PARTNERS LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP TO BE
TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). REGENCY GP LP, THE
GENERAL PARTNER OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER
OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID
A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE
BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE
SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH
THE FACILITIES OF ANY
37
NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
5.11 Tax Matters.
(a) Filing Tax Returns. (i) ETE will file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of the
Company, ETC III and ETC II that are required to be filed (after taking into account extensions) on
or prior to the Closing Date and will prepare or cause to be prepared such Tax Returns in a manner
consistent with past practice unless otherwise required by Law.
(ii) Regency shall file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of the Company and ETC III
for all (A) taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date which are filed after the
Closing Date, (B) taxable years beginning prior to the Closing Date and ending after the
Closing Date, (C) taxable years beginning after the Closing Date. With respect to Tax
Returns described in clauses (A) and (B) of the preceding sentence, Regency shall cause such
Tax Returns to be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice unless otherwise
required by Law.`
(b) Cooperation. Each of the Parties shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent
reasonably requested by the other Party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns and any
audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include the
retention and (upon the other Partys request) the provision of records and information relevant to
any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and making employees available on a mutually
convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided
hereunder.
(c) Transfer Taxes. All transfer and other such Taxes and fees (including any
penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the contribution of the Acquired Interests
pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid equally by ETE (on the one hand) and Regency (on the other
hand) when due.
5.12 Books and Records; Financial Statements.
(a) Regency shall provide ETE access to Regencys books and records relating to the Regency
Entities to the extent reasonably necessary to enable ETE to prepare financial statements of the
Regency Entities and such other financial statements of ETE and its Affiliates in such forms and
covering such periods as may be required by any applicable securities laws to be filed with the SEC
by ETE as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Regency shall use
reasonable best efforts to cause the Audit Firm to provide any consent necessary to the filing of
such financial statements with the SEC and to provide such customary representation letters as are
necessary in connection therewith.
(b) Regency hereby consents to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of the financial
statements of the Regency Entities in any registration statement, report or other filing of ETE or
any of its Affiliates as to which ETE or any of its Affiliates reasonably determines that such
financial statements are required to be included or incorporated by reference to satisfy any rule
or regulation of the SEC or to satisfy relevant disclosure obligations under the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act. Regency shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Audit Firm to
38
consent to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of its audit opinion with respect to
any of the financial statements of the Regency Parties in any such registration statement, report
or other filing of ETE or any of its Affiliates, and Regency shall cause representation letters, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Audit Firm, to be executed and delivered to the
Audit Firm in connection with obtaining any such consent from the Audit Firm.
(c) Regency shall cooperate with ETE in connection with the preparation of any pro forma
financial statements of ETE or any of its Affiliates that are derived in part from the financial
statements of Regency that ETE or its Affiliates reasonably determines are required to be included
or incorporated by reference in any registration statement, report or other filing of ETE or any of
its Affiliates to satisfy any rule or regulation of the SEC or to satisfy relevant disclosure
obligations under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
(d) Regency shall provide access to its books and records as may be reasonably necessary for
ETE or any of its Affiliates, or any of their respective advisors or representatives, to conduct
customary due diligence with respect to the financial statements of Regency in connection with any
offering of securities by ETE or any of its Affiliates, or to enable an accounting firm to prepare
and deliver a customary comfort letter with respect to financial information relating to Regency.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The respective obligation of each Party to
consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of
the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part,
as to a Party by such Party (in such Partys sole discretion):
(a) Approvals. All authorizations, consents, orders or approvals of, or declarations
or filings with, or expiration of waiting periods imposed under the HSR Act or set forth on
Schedule 6.1(a) shall have been obtained or made.
(b) Governmental Restraints. No order, decree or injunction of any Governmental
Authority shall be in effect, and no Law shall have been enacted or adopted that enjoins, prohibits
or makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and
no Proceeding by any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents shall be pending that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prohibit or delay the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(c) Required Consents. The consents, approvals and waivers set forth on Schedule
6.1(c) shall have been obtained.
(d) ETP Redemption Agreement Transactions. The Redemption and Exchange shall have
been consummated pursuant to the terms of the ETP Redemption Agreement.
(e) Credit Agreement. The Regency Credit Facility shall have been amended as set
forth on Schedule 6.1(e) of the ETE Disclosure Schedule.
39
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of Regency Parties. The obligation of the Regency Parties to
consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of
the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part,
by the Regency Parties (in the Regency Parties sole discretion):
(a) Representations and Warranties of ETE. The representations and warranties of ETE
(i) in Article III (other than those contained in Sections 3.5 and 3.6)
shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date as if remade on the Closing Date
(except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which shall be true and
correct in all respects as of such specific date), with only such failures to be so true and
correct as had not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Company Material Adverse
Effect and (ii) in Sections 3.5 and 3.6 shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the Closing Date as if remade on the Closing Date (except for representations and
warranties contained therein made as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of such specific date).
(b) Performance. ETE shall have performed and complied in all material respects with
all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by ETE on
or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Conflicts Policy. The Board of Directors of LEGPLLC shall have adopted the
Conflicts Policy.
(d) Master Services Agreement. Regency shall have received a counterpart of the
Master Services Agreement, duly executed by ETE and Services Co. (as defined in the Master Services
Agreement).
(e) Closing Certificate. The Regency Parties shall have received a certificate, dated
as of the Closing Date, signed by a Responsible Officer of ETE certifying that, to the best of such
Responsible Officers knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and
6.2(b) have been satisfied
(f) Closing Deliverables. ETE shall have delivered or caused to be delivered all of
the closing deliveries set forth in Section 2.4(b) and in the other Transaction Documents.
6.3 Conditions to Obligations of ETE. The obligation of ETE to consummate the Closing is
subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions,
any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in whole or in part, by ETE (in ETEs sole
discretion):
(a) Representations and Warranties of Regency Parties. The representations and
warranties of the Regency Parties (i) in Article IV (other than those contained in
Section 4.5) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date as if remade
on the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date, which
shall be true and correct in all respects as of such specific date), with only such failures to be
so true and correct as had not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Regency
Material Adverse Effect and (ii) in Sections 4.5 shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the Closing Date as if remade on the Closing Date (except for representations and
warranties contained therein made
40
as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such
specific date).
(b) Performance. The Regency Parties shall have performed and complied in all
material respects with all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by the Regency Parties on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Regency GP Purchase Agreement. The Regency GP Purchase shall have been
consummated pursuant to the terms of the Regency GP Purchase Agreement.
(d) ETE Loan Documents Waiver. ETE shall have received waivers and/or amendments of
the ETE Loan Documents related to the transactions contemplated hereby reasonably acceptable to
ETE.
(e) ETP Loan Documents Waiver. ETP shall have received waivers and/or amendments of
the ETP Loan Documents related to the transactions contemplated hereby reasonably acceptable to
ETE.
(f) Master Services Agreement. ETE shall have received a counterpart of the Master
Services Agreement, duly executed by Regency.
(g) Closing Certificate. ETE shall have received a certificate, dated as of the
Closing Date, signed by a Responsible Officer of Regency certifying that, to the best of such
Responsible Officers knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 6.3(a) and
6.3(b) have been satisfied.
(h) Closing Deliverables. The Regency Parties shall have delivered or caused to be
delivered all of the closing deliveries set forth in Section 2.4(a) and in the other
Transaction Documents.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION RIGHTS
7.1 Termination Rights. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing as
follows:
(a) By mutual written consent of the Parties;
(b) By either ETE or the Regency Parties if any Governmental Authority of competent
jurisdiction shall have issued a final and non-appealable order, decree or judgment prohibiting the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) By either ETE or the Regency Parties in the event that the Closing has not occurred on or
prior to June 9, 2010 (the Termination Date); provided, however, that (i) ETE may not terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(c) if such failure of the Closing to occur is
due to the failure of ETE to perform and comply in all material respects with the covenants and
agreements to be performed or complied with by ETE and (ii) the Regency Parties may not terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(c) if such failure of the Closing to
41
occur is due to the failure of either Regency Party to perform and comply in all material
respects with the covenants and agreements to be performed or complied with by such Regency Party;
(d) By the Regency Parties if there shall have been a breach or inaccuracy of ETEs
representations and warranties in this Agreement or a failure by ETE to perform its covenants and
agreements in this Agreement, in any such case in a manner that would result in, if occurring and
continuing on the Closing Date, the failure of the conditions to the Closing set forth in
Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b), unless such failure is reasonably capable of
being cured, and ETE is using all reasonable best efforts to cure such failure by the Termination
Date; provided, however, that the Regency Parties may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 7.1(d) if (i) any of the Regency Parties representations and warranties shall have
become and continue to be untrue in a manner that would cause the condition set forth in
Section 6.3(a) not to be satisfied or (ii) there has been, and continues to be, a failure
by either Regency Party to perform its covenants and agreements in such a manner as would cause the
condition set forth in Section 6.3(b) not to be satisfied;
(e) By ETE if there shall have been a breach or inaccuracy of the Regency Parties
representations and warranties in this Agreement or a failure by either Regency Party to perform
its covenants and agreements in this Agreement, in any such case in a manner that would result in,
if occurring and continuing on the Closing Date, the failure of the conditions to the Closing set
forth in Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b), unless such failure is reasonably
capable of being cured, and such Regency Party is using all reasonable best efforts to cure such
failure by the Termination Date; provided, however, that ETE may not terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 7.1(e) if (i) any of ETEs representations and warranties shall
have become and continue to be untrue in a manner that would cause the condition set forth in
Section 6.2(a) not to be satisfied or (ii) there has been, and continues to be, a failure
by ETE to perform its covenants and agreements in such a manner as would cause the condition set
forth in Section 6.2(b) not to be satisfied;
(f) By the ETE or Regency Parties if the ETP Redemption Agreement has been terminated pursuant
to its terms; or
(g) By ETE if the Regency GP Purchase Agreement has been terminated pursuant to its terms.
7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1, all rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall
terminate, except for the provisions of this Section 7.2, Article IX and
Sections 5.7, 5.9, 10.1, 10.3, 10.7 and 10.8, the
last sentence of Section 5.4(a) and the last sentence of Section 5.4(b); provided,
however, that no termination of this Agreement shall relieve any Party from any liability for any
willful and intentional breach of this Agreement by such Party or for Fraud by such Party and all
rights and remedies of a non-breaching Party under this Agreement in the case of any such willful
and intentional breach or Fraud, at law and in equity, shall be preserved, including the right to
recover reasonable attorneys fees and expenses. Except to the extent otherwise provided in the
immediately preceding sentence, the Parties agree that, if this Agreement is terminated, the
Parties shall have no liability to each other under or relating to this Agreement.
42
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Indemnification by ETE. Subject to the terms of this Article VIII, from and after
the Closing, ETE shall indemnify and hold harmless the Regency Parties and their respective
partners, members, managers, directors, officers, employees, consultants and permitted assigns
(collectively, the Regency Indemnitees), to the fullest extent permitted by Law, from and against
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys
fees and expenses) (collectively, Losses) incurred, arising out of or relating to:
(a) any breach of any of the representations or warranties (in each case, when made) of ETE
contained in Article III or of the certification of a Responsible Officer of ETE delivered
to the Regency Parties pursuant to Section 6.2(e);
(b) any breach of any of the covenants or agreements of ETE contained in this Agreement;
(c) any Taxes of the Company attributable to a Tax period or portion thereof that ends on or
before the Closing Date (excluding Taxes that ETE is obligated to pay as set forth in Section
5.12(c)); and
(d) the Excluded Items.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Section 8.1(a), the determination of whether there
has been a breach of any representation or warranty of ETE related to ETC II contained in Section
3.16 shall be made as if such representation or warranty had been made as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Option Closing Date (and not as of the Closing Date).
8.2 Indemnification by the Regency Parties. Subject to the terms of this Article
VIII, from and after the Closing, the Regency Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify and
hold harmless (x) ETE and its directors, officers, employees, consultants and permitted assigns and
(y) (solely with respect to the matters described in Section 8.2(c) and (d)) ETP
and its directors, officers, employees, consultants and permitted assigns (collectively, the
Energy Transfer Indemnitees and, together with the Regency Indemnitees, the Indemnitees) to the
fullest extent permitted by Law, from and against Losses incurred, arising out of or relating to:
(a) any breach of any of the representations or warranties (in each case, when made) of the
Regency Parties contained in this Agreement or of the certification of a Responsible Officer of
Regency delivered to ETE pursuant to Section 6.3(g);
(b) any breach of any of the covenants or agreements of the Regency Parties contained in this
Agreement;
(c) (i) the failure of ETC III or any successor or survivor of ETC III or any transferee of
all or any portion of the ETC III MEP Interest to perform any and all of its existing and future
obligations, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, voluntary or
involuntary under the Company LLC Agreement following the Closing and (ii) the failure of ETC II or
any successor or survivor of ETC II or any transferee of all or any portion of the ETC
43
II MEP Interest to perform any and all of its existing and future obligations, direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, voluntary or involuntary under the
Company LLC Agreement following the Option Closing;
(d) any obligations of ETE or ETP to guaranty the payment of any indebtedness of the Company
or the performance by the Company of any Contract relating to such indebtedness; and
(e) any Taxes of the Regency Parties attributable to a Tax period or portion thereof that ends
on or before the Closing Date (excluding Taxes that Regency is obligated to pay as set forth in
Section 5.12(c)).
8.3 Limitations and Other Indemnity Claim Matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Article VIII or elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall apply to any
claim for monetary damages arising out of this Agreement or related to the transactions
contemplated hereby:
(a) De Minimis. No indemnifying party (an Indemnifying Party) will have any
liability under this Article VIII in respect of any individual claim involving Losses
arising under Section 8.1(a) or Section 8.2(a) to any single Regency Indemnitee or
Energy Transfer Indemnitee, as applicable, of less than $125,000 (each, a De Minimis Claim).
Notwithstanding the forgoing, this Section 8.3(a) shall not apply to Losses arising from
any breach or inaccuracy of the representations or warranties set forth in Section 3.16 or
Section 4.15.
(b) Deductible.
(i) ETE will not have any liability under Section 8.1(a) unless and until the
Regency Indemnitees have suffered Losses in excess of $6,000,000 in the aggregate (the
Deductible) arising from Claims under Section 8.1(a) that are not De Minimis
Claims and then recoverable Losses claimed under Section 8.1(a) shall be limited to
those that exceed the Deductible.
(ii) The Regency Parties will not have any liability under Section 8.2(a)
unless and until the Energy Transfer Indemnitees have suffered Losses in excess of the
Deductible arising from Claims under Section 8.2(a) that are not De Minimis Claims
and then recoverable Losses claimed under Section 8.2(a) shall be limited to those
that exceed the Deductible.
(c) Cap.
(i) ETEs aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the transactions
contemplated hereby shall not exceed $90,000,000 (the Cap); provided that the limitation
set forth in this Section 8.3(c)(i) shall not apply to Losses arising out of or
relating to: (A) any breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties set forth
in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.16 or
3.18, (B) any breach of any covenants or agreements of ETE set forth in this
Agreement or (C) the matters described in Section 8.1(c) and Section 8.1(d);
provided further that, notwithstanding anything in this Section
44
8.1(c) to the contrary, ETEs aggregate liability under this Agreement and from
the transactions contemplated hereby shall not exceed $598,800,000 (the Aggregate Cap).
(ii) The Regency Parties aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the
transactions contemplated hereby shall not exceed the Cap; provided that the limitation set
forth in this Section 8.3(c)(ii) shall not apply to Losses arising out of or
relating to: (A) any breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties set forth
in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.14 or
4.16, (B) any breach of any covenants or agreements of the Regency Parties set forth
in this Agreement that by their terms are to be performed after the Closing Date or (C) the
matters described in Section 8.2(c), Section 8.2(d) and Section
8.2(e); provided further that, notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1(c)
to the contrary, the Regency Parties aggregate liability under this Agreement and from the
transactions contemplated hereby shall not exceed the Aggregate Cap.
(d) Survival; Claims Period.
(i) The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties under this
Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall continue in
full force and effect until the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date (the Expiration
Date); provided that (A) the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
3.1 (Organization; Qualification), 3.2 (Authority; Enforceability), 3.3
(Non-Contravention), 3.4 (Governmental Approvals), 3.5 (Capitalization),
3.6 (Ownership of Acquired Interests), 3.18 (Brokers Fee), 3.22
(Matters Relating to Acquisition of the Acquired Units), 4.1 (Organization;
Qualification), 4.2 (Authority; Enforceability; Valid Issuance), 4.3
(Non-Contravention), 4.4 (Governmental Approvals), 4.5 (Capitalization),
4.17 (Brokers Fee) and 4.20 (Matters Relating to Acquisition of Acquired
Interests) shall survive indefinitely, (B) the representations and warranties set forth in
Sections 3.10(d) (Financial Statements), and 3.17 (Employee Benefits) to the
extent such representations and warranties relate to ETC II or the ETC II MEP Interest shall
continue in full force and effect until the one-year anniversary of the Option Closing Date
(which shall be deemed to be the Expiration Date with respect to such representations and
warranties), (C) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.16
(Taxes) and Section 4.15 (Taxes) shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until ninety (90) days after the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (which shall be deemed to be the
Expiration Date with respect to such representations and warranties) and (D) any covenants
or agreements contained in this Agreement that by their terms are to be performed after the
Closing Date shall survive until fully discharged.
(ii) No action for a breach of any representation or warranty contained herein (other
than representations or warranties that survive indefinitely pursuant to Section
8.3(d)(i)) shall be brought after the Expiration Date, except for claims of which a
Party has received a Claim Notice setting forth in reasonable detail the claimed
misrepresentation or breach of warranty with reasonable detail, prior to the Expiration
Date.
45
(e) Calculation of Losses. In calculating amounts payable to any Energy Transfer Indemnitee
or Regency Indemnitee (each such person, an Indemnified Party) for a claim for indemnification
hereunder, the amount of any indemnified Losses shall be determined without duplication of any
other Loss for which an indemnification claim has been made or could be made under any other
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement and shall be computed net of (i) payments actually
recovered by the Indemnified Party under any insurance policy with respect to such Losses and (ii)
any prior or subsequent actual recovery by the Indemnified Party from any Person with respect to
such Losses.
(f) Waiver of Certain Damages. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in no
event shall any Party be liable for punitive, special, indirect, consequential, remote, speculative
or lost profits damages of any kind or nature, regardless of the form of action through which such
damages are sought, except (i) for any such damages recovered by any third party against an
Indemnified Party in respect of which such Indemnified Party would otherwise be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to the terms hereof and (ii) in the case of consequential damages, (A) to
the extent an Indemnified Party is required to pay consequential damages to an unrelated third
party and (B) to the extent of consequential damages to an Indemnified Party arising from fraud or
willful misconduct.
(g) Sole and Exclusive Remedy. Except for the assertion of any claim based on fraud or
willful misconduct, the remedies provided in this Article VIII shall be the sole and
exclusive legal remedies of the Parties, from and after the Closing, with respect to this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.4 Indemnification Procedures.
(a) Each Indemnitee agrees that promptly after it becomes aware of facts giving rise to a
claim by it for indemnification pursuant to this Article VIII, such Indemnitee must assert
its claim for indemnification under this Article VIII (each, a Claim) by providing a
written notice (a Claim Notice) to the Indemnifying Party allegedly required to provide
indemnification protection under this Article VIII specifying, in reasonable detail, the
nature and basis for such Claim (e.g., the underlying representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement alleged to have been breached). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnitees failure
to send or delay in sending a third party Claim Notice will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from
liability hereunder with respect to such Claim except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is
prejudiced by such failure or delay and except as is otherwise provided herein, including in
Section 8.3(e).
(b) In the event of the assertion of any third party Claim for which, by the terms hereof, an
Indemnifying Party is obligated to indemnify an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party will have the
right, at such Indemnifying Partys expense, to assume the defense of same including the
appointment and selection of counsel on behalf of the Indemnitee so long as such counsel is
reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of
any such third party Claim, it shall within 30 days of its receipt of the Claim Notice notify the
Indemnitee in writing of its intent to do so. The Indemnifying Party will have the right to settle
or compromise or take any corrective or remediation action with respect to any such Claim by all
appropriate proceedings, which proceedings will be diligently prosecuted by the Indemnifying Party
to a final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the Indemnifying
46
Party. The Indemnitee will be entitled, at its own cost, to participate with the Indemnifying
Party in the defense of any such Claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such
third-party Claim but fails to diligently prosecute such Claim, or if the Indemnifying Party does
not assume the defense of any such Claim, the Indemnitee may assume control of such defense and in
the event it is determined pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article IX that the
Claim was a matter for which the Indemnifying Party is required to provide indemnification under
the terms of this Article VIII, the Indemnifying Party will bear the reasonable costs and
expenses of such defense (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Indemnifying Party may not assume the defense of the third-party Claim ( but will be
entitled at its own cost to participate with the Indemnified Party in the defense of any such
Claim) if the potential Losses under the third-party Claim could reasonably and in good faith be
expected to exceed, in the aggregate when combined with all claims previously made by the
Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party under this Article VIII, the maximum amount for which
the Indemnifying Party may be liable pursuant to Section 8.3(c); provided, however, that to
the extent the Parties are not in agreement with respect to the calculation of potential Losses,
the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense of the third-party Claim in
accordance herewith until the Parties have agreed or a final non-appealable judgment has been
entered into, with respect to the determination of the potential Losses.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party will
not be permitted to settle, compromise, take any corrective or remedial action or enter into an
agreed judgment or consent decree, in each case, that subjects the Indemnitee to any criminal
liability, requires an admission of guilt, wrongdoing or fault on the part of the Indemnitee or
imposes any continuing obligation on or requires any payment from the Indemnitee without the
Indemnitees prior written consent.
8.5 No Reliance.
(a) THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETE CONTAINED IN ARTICLE III CONSTITUTE THE
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ETE TO THE REGENCY PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE REGENCY PARTIES
CONTAINED IN ARTICLE IV CONSTITUTE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
THE REGENCY PARTIES TO ETE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
EXCEPT FOR SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, NO PARTY OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES ANY OTHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PARTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES,
WHETHER MADE BY SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR
REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF, OR ANY PERSONS RELIANCE ON, ANY
INFORMATION, DISCLOSURE OR OTHER DOCUMENT OR OTHER MATERIAL MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY PARTY IN ANY DATA
ROOM, ELECTRONIC DATA ROOM, MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION OR IN ANY OTHER FORM IN EXPECTATION OF, OR IN
CONNECTION WITH, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS
47
AGREEMENT). EXCEPT FOR SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EACH PARTY DISCLAIMS ALL
LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, PROJECTION, FORECAST, STATEMENT, OR
INFORMATION MADE, COMMUNICATED OR FURNISHED (ORALLY OR IN WRITING) TO ANY OTHER PARTY OR ITS
AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING OPINION,
INFORMATION, PROJECTION, OR ADVICE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE PROVIDED TO ANY PARTY OR ANY
OFFICER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE, AGENT OR REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES).
(b) Except as provided in Sections 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2, no Party nor any
Affiliate of a Party shall assert or threaten, and each Party hereby waives and shall cause such
Affiliates to waive, any claim or other method of recovery, in contract, in tort or under
applicable Law, against any Person that is not a Party (or a successor to a Party) relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
GOVERNING LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
9.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the
application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
9.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. The Parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
(a) the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (b) any state appellate court therefrom within the State of
Delaware (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a
particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware), for the purposes of
any Proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (and each
agrees that no such Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be brought by it except in such courts). The Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive
(and agree not to plead or claim) any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising
out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) the Delaware Court of
Chancery, or (ii) any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, only if the
Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or
federal court within the State of Delaware) or that any such Proceeding brought in any such court
has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the Parties hereto also agrees that any final
and non-appealable judgment against a Party hereto in connection with any Proceeding shall be
conclusive and binding on such Party and that such award or judgment may be enforced in any court
of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States. A certified or
exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of
such award or judgment.
9.3 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR TO DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT
AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.
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ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1 Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only
by written agreement of the Parties hereto.
10.2 Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any
failure of any of the Parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition in
this Agreement may be waived by the Party or Parties entitled to the benefits thereof only by a
written instrument signed by the Party or Parties granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure
to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not
operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.
10.3 Notices. Any notice, demand or communication required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be in writing and delivered personally, by reputable overnight delivery service or other
courier or by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to
have been duly given (a) as of the date of delivery if delivered personally or by overnight
delivery service or other courier or (b) on the date receipt is acknowledged if delivered by
certified mail, addressed as follows; provided that a notice of a change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof:
If to ETE to:
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
3738 Oak Lawn
Dallas, TX 75219
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Regency Parties to:
Regency GP LLC
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
10.4 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties
and their successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign or transfer this Agreement or any
of its rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of
the other Parties. Any attempted assignment or transfer in violation of this Agreement shall be
null, void and ineffective.
10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the
benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as provided in
Sections 5.8(b), 5.8(c), 5.8(d), 5.8(e), 8.1 and
8.2, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by
any third party, including any creditor of any Party or any of their Affiliates. No such third
party shall obtain any right under any
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provision of this Agreement or shall by reasons of any such provision make any claim in
respect of any liability (or otherwise) against any other Party.
10.6 Entire Agreement. Except for the Confidentiality Agreement, which shall survive the
execution of this Agreement, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the
entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the Parties or
between any of them with respect to such subject matter.
10.7 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this
Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law but
if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in
such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction
as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been
contained herein.
10.8 Representation by Counsel. Each of the Parties agrees that it has been represented by
independent counsel of its choice during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the
documents referred to herein, and that it has executed the same upon the advice of such independent
counsel. Each Party and its counsel cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement
and the documents referred to herein, and any and all drafts relating thereto shall be deemed the
work product of the Parties and may not be construed against any Party by reason of its
preparation. Therefore, the Parties waive the application of any Law providing that ambiguities in
an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or
document.
10.9 Disclosure Schedules. The inclusion of any information (including dollar amounts) in any
section of the ETE Disclosure Schedule or the Regency Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed to be
an admission or acknowledgment by a Party that such information is required to be listed on such
section of the ETE Disclosure Schedule or the Regency Disclosure Schedule or is material to or
outside the ordinary course of the business of such Party or the Person to which such disclosure
relates. The information contained in this Agreement, the Exhibits and the Schedules is disclosed
solely for purposes of this Agreement, and no information contained in this Agreement, the Exhibits
or the Schedules shall be deemed to be an admission by any Party to any third Person of any matter
whatsoever (including any violation of a legal requirement or breach of contract). The disclosure
contained in one disclosure schedule contained in the ETE Disclosure Schedule or Regency Disclosure
Schedule may be incorporated by reference into any other disclosure schedule contained therein, and
shall be deemed to have been so incorporated into any other disclosure schedule so long as it is
readily apparent that the disclosure is applicable to such other disclosure schedule.
10.10 Facsimiles; Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures by any
Party and such signature shall be deemed binding for all purposes hereof, without delivery of an
original signature being thereafter required. This Agreement may be
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executed in one or more counterparts, each of which, when executed, shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed by its
respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. |
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By:
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LE GP, LLC, |
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its general partner |
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By:
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/s/ John W. McReynolds
John W. McReynolds,
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP |
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Regency GP LP, its general partner |
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Regency GP LLC, its general partner |
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/s/ Byron R. Kelley
Byron R. Kelley,
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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REGENCY MIDCONTINENT EXPRESS LLC |
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Regency Gas Services LP, its sole member |
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Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner |
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Signature Page to
Contribution Agreement
EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS
Acceptable Credit Support with respect to any Capital Contribution (as defined in the
Company LLC Agreement) committed to by ETC III or ETC II in accordance with Section 5.8(b)
or (c), shall mean any of the following, in each case upon terms and conditions, and
pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to ETE: (a) cash or Cash
Equivalents in an amount equal to ETC IIIs or ETC IIs obligations in respect of such Capital
Contribution, to be held in a segregated deposit account and/or securities account with an
Acceptable Bank, which accounts are subject to a first priority perfected security interest in
favor of, at the election of ETE, ETE or ETP; (b) an Acceptable Letter of Credit, in a face amount
equal to ETC IIIs or ETC IIs obligations in respect of such Capital Contribution on the date
Acceptable Credit Support is to be provided pursuant to Sections 5.8(b) or (c); or
(c) guaranty of the Regency Parties obligations under Section 8.2(c) with respect to ETC
IIIs or ETC IIs obligations in respect of such Capital Contribution provided by an Affiliate of
Regency that has a senior unsecured long-term debt rating of BBB- or better from S&P and Baa3 or
better from Moodys.
Acceptable Bank shall mean a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States
or any state thereof having capital surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $250,000,000
and having a senior unsecured long-term debt rating of A- or better from S&P or A3 or better from
Moodys.
Acceptable Letter of Credit means an irrevocable standby letter of credit reasonably
acceptable to ETE and ETP, issued by an Acceptable Bank and drawable in New York, New York or
Dallas, Texas.
Accounting Firm is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(d).
Acquired Interests is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Acquired ETC II Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Acquired ETC III Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Acquired Units is defined in Section 2.2.
Actual Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(e).
Actual Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(f).
Administrative Agent is defined in the MEP Credit Agreement.
Affiliate means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified Person. A Person
Exhibit A-1
shall be deemed to control another Person if such first Person possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of such
other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Aggregate Cap is defined in Section 8.3(c)(i).
Agreement is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Assignment of Interest is defined in Section 2.4(a)(iv).
Audit Firm means the independent accounting firm regularly engaged by Regency to review its
quarterly financial statements and provide an audit report with respect to their annual financial
statements.
Board Member has the meaning assigned to such term in the Company LLC Agreement.
Budget has the meaning assigned to such term in the Company LLC Agreement.
Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial
banks in the State of Texas are authorized or obligated to be closed by applicable Laws.
Cap is defined in Section 8.3(c).
Claim is defined in Section 8.4(a).
Claim Notice is defined in Section 8.4(a).
Closing is defined in Section 2.3.
Closing Date is defined in Section 2.3.
Closing Date Long-Term Debt is defined in Section 2.5(a)(iii).
Closing Date Net Working Capital is defined in Section 2.5(a)(i).
Closing Quarter is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Company Credit Agreement means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2008,
among the Company, the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party
thereto.
Company Credit Facility means the $1,400,000,000 credit facility of the Company established
pursuant to the Company Credit Agreement.
Exhibit A-2
Company Financial Statements are defined in Section 3.10(a).
Company Guarantee Agreement is defined in Section 2.4(a)(ii).
Company LLC Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Company Material Adverse Effect means any Material Adverse Effect in respect of the Company.
Company Material Contract is defined in Section 3.13(b).
Company Policies is defined in Section 3.21.
Confidentiality Agreement means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated March 10,
2010, among ETE, ETP and Regency.
Conflicts Policy means the Statement of Policies Relating to Potential Conflicts between
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and Regency Energy Partners, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G.
Contract means any written agreement, lease, license, note, evidence of indebtedness,
mortgage, security agreement, understanding, instrument or other legally binding arrangement.
Contribution Value is defined in Section 2.2.
Control means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether through ownership of Voting Interests, by contract or otherwise, and the terms
Controlling and Controlled have correlative meanings.
Credit Guarantee Agreement is defined in Section 2.4(a)(iii).
Creditors Rights is defined in Section 3.2(b).
Creditworthy Affiliate has the meaning assigned to such term in the Company LLC Agreement.
Deductible is defined in Section 8.3(b)(i).
Delaware LLC Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to
time.
Delaware LP Act means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from
time to time.
De Minimis Claim is defined in Section 8.3(a).
Disclosure Schedule means (i) with respect to ETE, the ETE Disclosure Schedule, and (ii)
with respect to the Regency Parties, the Regency Disclosure Schedule.
Exhibit A-3
Energy Transfer Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.2.
Environmental Laws means any and all Laws pertaining to the prevention of pollution, the
protection of human health (including worker health and safety) and the environment (including
ambient air, surface water, ground water, land, surface or subsurface strata and natural resources)
and the investigation, removal and remediation of contamination.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity,
trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b),(c), (m) or (o) of the
Code or Section 4001(b)(l) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a
member of the same controlled group as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA.
Estimated Adjustment Statement is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Closing Date Long-Term Debt is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Unit Contribution Consideration is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Contribution Value is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Net Working Capital is defined in Section 2.5(b).
Estimated Preceding Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Estimated Pro Rata Closing Quarter Distribution Amount is defined in Section 2.6(a)
Estimated Pre-Closing Capex Amount is defined in Section 2.5(b).
ETC is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
ETC II is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC II LLC Agreement means the limited liability company agreement of ETC II, dated
April 12, 2010.
ETC II MEP Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC III is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETC III LLC Agreement means the limited liability company agreement of ETC III, dated
April 12, 2010.
ETC III MEP Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Exhibit A-4
ETC Consideration Interests is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
ETE is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
ETE Adjustment Payment is defined in Section 2.5(d).
ETE Credit Agreement means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 13,
2006, by and among ETE, Wachovia, Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent and the
lenders party thereto.
ETE Disclosure Schedule means the disclosure schedule to this Agreement prepared by ETE and
delivered to the Regency Parties on the Execution Date.
ETE Loan Documents means the Loan Documents as defined in the ETE Credit Agreement.
ETP means Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
ETP Guaranty Agreement means that certain Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 29, 2008,
between ETP and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as the administrative agent, as amended by that
certain First Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2009, between ETP and The
Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as the administrative agent.
ETP Redemption Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Execution Date is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Excluded Items means the matters described on Exhibit F attached hereto.
Expiration Date is defined in Section 8.3(e)(i).
FERC means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of the United States of America.
Final Adjustment Statement is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Final Closing Date Balance Sheet is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Final Pre-Closing Capex Amount is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Final Purchase Price Adjustment Amount is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Fraud means actual fraud involving a knowing and intentional misrepresentation of a material
fact.
Exhibit A-5
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
GE Investor is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Governmental Authority means any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative agency, body, commission, department, board, court, tribunal, arbitrating body or
authority of the United States or any foreign country, or any state, local or other governmental
subdivision thereof.
Hazardous Substances means each substance, waste or material regulated, defined, designated
or classified as a hazardous waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant
or toxic substance under any Environmental Law; provided that the term Hazardous Substances shall
be deemed not to include petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas or natural gas liquids while
they are secured in containers or vessels that are in good condition and compliant with applicable
Environmental Laws.
HSR Act means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
Incentive Distribution Rights has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Regency
Partnership Agreement.
Indemnified Party is defined in Section 8.3(f).
Indemnifying Party is defined in Section 8.3(a).
Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.2.
Intellectual Property means patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Interim Financial Statements is defined in Section 3.10(a).
Knowledge means (a) with respect to ETE, the actual knowledge of John McReynolds Sonia Aube,
Kelcy Warren, Martin Salinas and Tom Mason and (b) with respect to the Regency Parties, the actual
knowledge of Christopher Rozzell and Stephen Arata.
Law means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, rule of common law, regulation,
judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license or authorization of any
Governmental Authority.
LEGPLLC means LE, G.P., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the sole general
partner of ETE.
Lien means, with respect to any property or asset, (i) any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, lien or other similar property interest or encumbrance in respect of such property or
asset, and (ii) any easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, rights, leases
and other encumbrances on title to real or personal property (whether or not of record).
Exhibit A-6
Long-Term Debt mean all long-term debt, determined in accordance with GAAP as applied
consistent with the Companys past practices (including its preparation of the Financial
Statements).
Long-Term Debt Threshold is defined in Section 2.5(a)(iii).
Losses is defined in Section 8.1.
Master Services Agreement means the Master Services Agreement in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit H.
Material Adverse Effect means, with respect to any Person, any change, event or development
that is materially adverse to the business, financial condition, or operations of such Person and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that, a Material Adverse Effect shall not be
deemed to have occurred as a result of any of the following changes, events or developments (either
alone or in combination): (a) any change in general economic, political or business conditions
(including any effects on the economy arising as a result of acts of terrorism); (b) any change in
oil or natural gas commodity prices; (c) any change affecting the natural gas transportation
industry generally but which does not have a materially disproportionate impact on the business of
such Person and its Subsidiaries; (d) any change in accounting requirements or principles imposed
by GAAP or any change in Law after the Execution Date but which does not, in each case, have a
materially disproportionate impact on the business of such Person and its Subsidiaries; or (e) any
change resulting from the execution of this Agreement or the announcement of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
MEP Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement dated as of February 29, 2008, by and among
the Company, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Administrative Agent and the lenders party thereto,
as amended.
MEP Expansion Project is defined as capital projects to increase Zone 1 capacity from
1,432,500 Dth/d to 1,832,500 Dth/d and Zone 2 from 1,000,000 Dth/d to 1,200,000 Dth/d.
MEP Interest is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or any successor by merger or consolidation to
its business.
Net Working Capital means (a) total current assets minus (b) total current liabilities, all
as determined in accordance with GAAP as applied consistently with the Companys past practices
(including its preparation of the Company Financial Statements).
Net Working Capital Threshold is defined in Section 2.5(a)(i).
Objection Notice is defined in Section 2.5(c).
Operating Subsidiaries means Regency Gas Services LP, a Delaware limited partnership and all
other Subsidiaries of Regency.
Exhibit A-7
Option Assignment Agreement is defined in Section 2.4(a)(v).
Option Closing means the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Option Agreement.
Option Closing Date is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Organizational Documents means, with respect to any Person, the articles of incorporation,
certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership, bylaws,
limited liability company agreement, operating agreement, partnership agreement, stockholders
agreement and all other similar documents, instruments or certificates executed, adopted or filed
in connection with the creation, formation or organization of such Person, including any amendments
thereto (including, in the case of the Company, the Company LLC Agreement).
Party and Parties are defined in the preamble of this Agreement.
Permits means all permits, approvals, consents, licenses, franchises, exemptions and other
authorizations, consents and approvals of or from Governmental Authorities.
Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person, (a) statutory Liens for current Taxes
applicable to the assets of such Person or assessments not yet delinquent or the amount or validity
of which is being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP; (b) mechanics, carriers, workers, repairmens, landlords and other
similar liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person relating to
obligations as to which there is no default on the part of such Person, (c) Liens as may have
arisen in the ordinary course of business of such Person, none of which are material to the
ownership, use or operation of the assets of such Person; (d) any state of facts that an accurate
on the ground survey of any real property of such Person would show, and any easements,
rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, rights, leases, and other encumbrances on title
to real or personal property filed of record, in each case that do not materially detract from the
value of or materially interfere with the use and operation of any of the assets of such Person;
(e) statutory Liens for obligations that are not delinquent, (f) Liens encumbering the fee interest
of those tracts of real property encumbered by Rights-of-Way, (g) legal highways, zoning and
building laws, ordinances and regulations, that do not materially detract from the value of or
materially interfere with the use of the assets of such Person in the ordinary course of business
and (h) any Liens with respect to assets of such Person, which, together with all other Liens, do
not materially detract from the value of such Person or materially interfere with the present use
of the assets owned by such Person or the conduct of the business of such Person.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership,
limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust,
bank trust company, land trust, business trust, or other organization, whether or not a legal
entity, custodian, trustee-executor, administrator, nominee or entity in a representative capacity
and any Governmental Authority.
Preceding Quarter is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Exhibit A-8
Pre-Closing Capex Amount means the aggregate amount of capital expenditures, as defined in
accordance with GAAP (whether funded through capital contributions, debt incurrence, cash on hand
or otherwise), made by the Company from and after January 1, 2010 through the Closing.
Proceeding means any civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, investigations or
other proceedings.
Purchase Price Adjustment Amount is defined in Section 2.5(a).
Record Date means the close of business on the date specified by Regency as the record date
for any quarterly distribution of cash in respect of the Regency Common Units.
Redemption and Exchange is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Regency Adjustment Payment is defined in Section 2.5(d).
Regency Benefit Plans is defined in Section 4.15(a)(ii).
Regency Common Unit means a common unit representing a limited partner interest in Regency.
Regency Credit Facility means the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
March 4, 2010, by and among Regency, Wachovia Bank, National Association as Administrative Agent
and the lenders party thereto, as amended from time.
Regency Disclosure Schedule means the disclosure schedule to this Agreement prepared by the
Regency Parties and delivered to ETE on the Execution Date.
Regency Entities means Regency, RGPLP, RGPLLC and the Operating Subsidiaries, collectively.
Regency Financial Statements is defined in Section 4.9(c).
Regency GP Interest is defined in Section 4.5(e).
Regency GP LP Interests is defined in Section 4.5(e).
Regency GP Purchase is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency GP Purchase Agreement is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Regency Indemnitees is defined in Section 8.1.
Regency Material Adverse Effect means any Material Adverse Effect in respect of Regency.
Exhibit A-9
Regency Material Contracts is defined in Section 4.12(b).
Regency Parties is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Regency Partnership Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP, dated as of February 3, 2006, between RGPLP, as the
General Partner, and Seller, as the Organizational Limited Partner, together with any other Persons
who become Partners in the Partnership or parties thereto as provided therein, as amended.
Regency SEC Documents is defined in Section 4.9(a).
Regency Series A Units is defined in Section 4.5(a).
Regency SPV is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Registration Rights Agreement is defined in Section 2.4(a)(v).
Release means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting,
discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping,
or disposing.
Representatives is defined in Section 5.4(a).
Responsible Officer means, with respect to any Person, any vice-president or more senior
officer of such Person.
Review Period is defined in Section 2.5(c).
RGPLLC is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
RGPLP is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Rights-of-Way means easements, rights-of-way and similar real estate interests.
RIGS JV means RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co., a Delaware general partnership.
RIGS JV Agreement means the Second Amended and Restated General Partnership Agreement of
RIGS JV, dated as of December 18, 2009, as amended.
SEC is defined in Section 4.9(a).
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services or any successor by merger or consolidation to
its business.
Exhibit A-10
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity of which a majority of the Voting Interests are
at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided that for purposes of this Agreement,
RIGS JV and any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be Subsidiaries of Regency.
Tax means any tax, charge, fee, levy, penalty or other assessment imposed by any United
States federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority or any other taxing authority, including
any excise, real and personal property (tangible and intangible), income, sales, transfer, margin,
franchise, payroll, withholding, social security or other tax, including any interest, penalties or
additions attributable thereto.
Tax Return means any return, report, information return, declaration, claim for refund or
other document (including any related or supporting information or schedules) supplied or required
to be supplied to any taxing authority or any Person with respect to Taxes and including any
supplement or amendment thereof.
Termination Date is defined in Section 7.1(c).
Transaction Documents means this Agreement, the Company Guarantee Agreement, the Credit
Guarantee Agreement, the Assignment of Interest and the Option Agreement.
Treasury Regulations means the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by
the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.
All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding
provision or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final Treasury
Regulations.
Unit Contribution Consideration is defined in Section 2.2.
Voting Interests of any Person as of any date means the equity interests of such Person
pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to
elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers, general partners or trustees of such
Person (regardless of whether, at the time, equity interests of any other class or classes shall
have, or might have, voting power by reason of the occurrence of any contingency) or, with respect
to a partnership (whether general or limited), any general partner interest in such partnership.
Exhibit A-11