S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2021

Registration No. 333-                

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

ENERGY TRANSFER LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   30-0108820

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600

Dallas, Texas 75225

(214) 981-0700

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Thomas E. Long

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Energy Transfer LP

8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600

Dallas, Texas 75225

(214) 981-0700

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Thomas P. Mason

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and President - LNG

Energy Transfer LP

8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600

Dallas, Texas 75225

(214) 981-0700

 

William N. Finnegan IV

Kevin M. Richardson

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 546-5400

 

 

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective on filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of
securities to be registered
 

Amount to be registered/proposed
maximum offering price per unit/

proposed maximum aggregate offering
price/amount of registration fee(1)

Common Units representing limited partner interests

 

Preferred Units representing limited partner interests

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

(1)

An indeterminate aggregate offering price or principal amount or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices. This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of securities that are being registered that may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or exercise of, the securities being registered hereunder. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all the registration fee and will pay the registration fee subsequently in advance or on a pay-as-you go basis.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

ENERGY TRANSFER LP

Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

Preferred Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

Debt Securities

 

 

We may offer and sell the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

Our common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ET.” Our 7.375% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $25.00 per unit, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ETprC.” Our 7.625% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $25.00 per unit, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ETprD.” Our 7.600% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $25.00 per unit, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ETprE.”

 

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 7 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is June 1, 2021.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     2  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     4  

ENERGY TRANSFER LP

     6  

RISK FACTORS

     7  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON UNITS

     9  

OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

     15  

DISTRIBUTION POLICY

     22  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED UNITS

     24  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     28  

GLOBAL SECURITIES

     37  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     41  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     42  

LEGAL MATTERS

     60  

EXPERTS

     60  


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

When we refer to “ET,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Partnership” in this prospectus, we mean Energy Transfer LP and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “our general partner,” we mean LE GP, LLC. When we refer to “you,” we mean the potential holders of the applicable series of securities.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Available Information

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

Our web site address is www.energytransfer.com. The information on our web site, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website, as provided above.

Incorporation by Reference

The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2021.

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2021.

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2021, January 6, 2021 (Form 8-K/A), January  12, 2021, February  17, 2021, March  5, 2021, April  2, 2021 and May 11, 2021.

 

   

The description of our common units contained in the Registration Statement filed on Form 8-A, dated January 31, 2006, filed with the SEC on January 11, 2006, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description.

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the “Exchange Act” in this prospectus, prior to the termination of this offering but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

 

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You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Energy Transfer LP

8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600

Dallas, Texas 75225

Attn: Investor Relations

(214) 981-0795

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein contain various forward-looking statements and information that are based on our beliefs and those of our general partner, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein, words such as “anticipate,” “project,” “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “could,” “believe,” “may,” “will” and similar expressions and statements regarding our plans and objectives for future operations, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although we and our general partner believe that the expectations on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, neither we nor our general partner can give assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected. Among the key risk factors that may have a direct bearing on our results of operations and financial condition are:

 

   

the volumes transported on our pipelines and gathering systems;

 

   

the level of throughput in our processing and treating facilities;

 

   

the fees we charge and the margins they realize for their gathering, treating, processing, storage and transportation services;

 

   

the prices and market demand for, and the relationship between, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”);

 

   

energy prices generally;

 

   

impacts of world health events, including the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

the prices of natural gas and NGLs compared to the price of alternative and competing fuels;

 

   

the general level of petroleum product demand and the availability and price of NGL supplies;

 

   

the level of domestic oil, natural gas, and NGL production;

 

   

the availability of imported oil, natural gas and NGLs;

 

   

actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations;

 

   

the political and economic stability of petroleum producing nations;

 

   

the effect of weather conditions on demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs;

 

   

availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems;

 

   

the continued ability to find and contract for new sources of natural gas supply;

 

   

availability and marketing of competitive fuels;

 

   

the impact of energy conservation efforts;

 

   

energy efficiencies and technological trends;

 

   

governmental regulation and taxation;

 

   

changes to, and the application of, regulation of tariff rates and operational requirements related to our interstate and intrastate pipelines;

 

   

hazards or operating risks incidental to the gathering, treating, processing and transporting of natural gas and NGLs;

 

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competition from other midstream companies and interstate pipeline companies;

 

   

loss of key personnel;

 

   

loss of key natural gas producers or the providers of fractionation services;

 

   

reductions in the capacity or allocations of third-party pipelines that connect with our pipelines and facilities;

 

   

the effectiveness of risk-management policies and procedures and the ability of our liquids marketing counterparties to satisfy their financial commitments;

 

   

the nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers;

 

   

regulatory, environmental, political and legal uncertainties that may affect the timing and cost of our internal growth projects, such as our construction of additional pipeline systems;

 

   

risks associated with the construction of new pipelines and treating and processing facilities or additions to our existing pipelines and facilities, including difficulties in obtaining permits and rights-of-way or other regulatory approvals and the performance by third-party contractors;

 

   

the availability and cost of capital and our ability to access certain capital sources;

 

   

a deterioration of the credit and capital markets;

 

   

risks associated with the assets and operations of entities in which we own less than a controlling interests, including risks related to management actions at such entities that we may not be able to control or exert influence;

 

   

the ability to successfully identify and consummate strategic acquisitions at purchase prices that are accretive to our financial results and to successfully integrate acquired businesses;

 

   

changes in laws and regulations to which we are subject, including tax, environmental, transportation and employment regulations or new interpretations by regulatory agencies concerning such laws and regulations; and

 

   

the costs and effects of legal and administrative proceedings.

You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, please review the risks described or referenced in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein. Each forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

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ENERGY TRANSFER LP

Energy Transfer LP is a publicly traded limited partnership owning and operating a diversified portfolio of energy assets. Our core operations include complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, NGLs and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; NGL storage and fractionation; and various acquisition and marketing assets. We also own Lake Charles LNG Company, as well as limited partner interests and the general partner interests of publicly traded master limited partnerships Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) and USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC).

The address of our principal executive office is 8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75225, and the telephone number at this address is (214) 981-0700.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON UNITS

Common Units

Our common units represent limited partner interests that entitle the holders to participate in our cash distributions and to exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, as amended to date (our “partnership agreement”). For a description of the rights of holders of our common units to cash distributions, see the section in this prospectus entitled “Distribution Policy.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, see the section in this prospectus entitled “Our Partnership Agreement.” We urge you to read the partnership agreement, as the partnership agreement, and not this description, governs the rights of holders of our common units

Unitholder Approval

The following matters require the approval of the majority of our outstanding common units, including the common units owned by our general partner and its affiliates:

 

   

a merger of our partnership;

 

   

a sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

the election of a successor general partner in connection with the withdrawal or removal of our general partner;

 

   

dissolution or reconstitution of our partnership upon dissolution; and

 

   

certain amendments to the partnership agreement.

The removal of our general partner requires the approval of not less than 66 2/3% of all outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Any removal is subject to the election of a successor general partner by the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates.

Listing

Our outstanding common units are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “ET.” Any additional common units we issue also will be listed on the NYSE.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the common units is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Transfer of Common Units

Any transfers of a common unit will not be recorded by the transfer agent or recognized by us unless the transferee executes and delivers a transfer application. By executing and delivering a transfer application, the transferee of common units:

 

   

becomes the record holder of the common units and is an assignee until admitted as a substituted limited partner;

 

   

automatically requests admission as a substituted limited partner;

 

   

agrees to comply with and be bound by and to have executed our partnership agreement;

 

   

represents and warrants that such transferee has the right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity to enter into our partnership agreement;

 

   

grants the powers of attorney set forth in our partnership agreement; and

 

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gives the consents and approvals and makes the waivers contained in our partnership agreement.

An assignee will become a substituted limited partner for the transferred common units upon the consent of our general partner and the recording of the name of the assignee on our books and records. Our general partner may withhold its consent in its sole discretion.

A transferee’s broker, agent or nominee may complete, execute and deliver a transfer application. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon admission as a substituted limited partner for the transferred common units, a purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application obtains only:

 

   

the right to assign the common units to a purchaser or other transferee; and

 

   

the right to transfer the right to seek admission as a substituted limited partner for the transferred common units.

Thus, a purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application:

 

   

will not receive cash distributions or federal income tax allocations, unless the common units are held in a nominee or “street name” account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application; and

 

   

may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units.

The transferor of common units has a duty to provide the transferee with all information that may be necessary to transfer the common units. The transferor does not have a duty to insure the execution of the transfer application by the transferee and has no liability or responsibility if the transferee neglects or chooses not to execute and forward the transfer application to the transfer agent.

Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the common unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Status as Limited Partner or Assignee

An assignee of a common unit, after executing and delivering a transfer application, but pending its admission as a substituted limited partner, is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating distributions. Our general partner will vote and exercise other powers attributable to any of our common units owned by an assignee that has not become a substituted limited partner at the written direction of the assignee.

Transferees that do not execute and deliver a transfer application will not be treated as assignees or as record holders of our common units and will not receive cash distributions, federal income tax allocations or reports furnished to holders of our common units.

Capital Contributions

Except as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “—Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and the unitholders will not be required to make additional capital contributions to us.

 

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Limited Liability

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware Act”) and that it otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, the limited partner’s liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital such limited partner is obligated to contribute to us for its common units plus such limited partner’s share of any undistributed profits and assets and any funds wrongfully distributed to it as described below. If it were determined, however, that the right, or exercise of the right, by our limited partners as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve certain amendments to our partnership agreement or to take any other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as our general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that a limited partner is a general partner based on such limited partner’s conduct. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.

Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the limited partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited will be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act will be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution; provided, however, that such limited partner will have no liability for the amount of the distribution after the expiration of three years from the date of the distribution. Under the Delaware Act, an assignee who becomes a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of its assignor to make contributions to the limited partnership, excluding any obligations of the assignor with respect to wrongful distributions, as described above, except the assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to it at the time it became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.

Our subsidiaries conduct business in multiple states. Maintenance of our limited liability as a limited partner or member of our subsidiaries formed as limited partnerships or limited liability companies, respectively, may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which such subsidiaries conduct business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there. Limitations on the liability of a limited partner or member for the obligations of a limited partnership or limited liability company, respectively, have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If it were determined that we were, by virtue of our limited partner interest or limited liability company interest in our subsidiaries or otherwise, conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by our limited partners as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve certain amendments to our partnership agreement or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then our limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as our general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.

Change of Management Provisions

Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change management. If at any time any person

 

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or group (other than our general partner or its affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of any outstanding partnership securities of any class then outstanding, all partnership securities owned by such person or group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of limited partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under our partnership agreement. The foregoing limitation does not apply (i) to any person or group who acquired 20% or more of any outstanding partnership securities of any class then outstanding directly from our general partner or its affiliates, (ii) to any person or group who acquired 20% or more of any outstanding partnership securities of any class then outstanding directly or indirectly from a person or group described in clause (i) provided that our general partner has notified such person or group in writing that such limitation will not apply, or (iii) to any person or group who acquired 20% or more of any partnership securities issued by us with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner.

Meetings; Voting

Except as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “—Change of Management Provisions,” unitholders or assignees who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited. Units that are owned by an assignee who is a record holder, but who has not yet been admitted as a limited partner, will be voted by the general partner at the written direction of the record holder.

Absent direction of this kind, the units will not be voted, except that, in the case of units held by our general partner on behalf of non-citizen assignees, our general partner will distribute the votes on those common units in the same ratios as the votes of limited partners on other units are cast.

Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting.

Special meetings of the unitholders may be called by the general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.

Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to its percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. However, if at any time any person or group, other than the general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of the general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes. Units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and its nominee provides otherwise.

Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.

 

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Holders of common units have very limited voting rights and may vote on the following matters:

 

   

a sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

the election of a successor general partner in connection with the withdrawal or removal of our general partner;

 

   

dissolution or reconstitution of our partnership;

 

   

a merger of our partnership;

 

   

issuance of limited partner interests in some circumstances; and

 

   

some amendments to the partnership agreement, including any amendment that would cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation.

Removal of our general partner requires:

 

   

a 66 2/3% vote of all outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and affiliates; and

 

   

the election of a successor general partner by the holders of a unit majority, including units held by our general partner and affiliates.

Books and Reports

Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books and records with respect to our business at our principal offices. Our books are maintained, for both federal income tax and financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis. For both federal income tax and financial reporting purposes, our fiscal year end is December 31.

We will furnish or make available to record holders of common units, no later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent registered public accounting firm. Except for the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, we will also furnish or make available unaudited financial statements no later than 90 days after the close of each quarter.

We will furnish each record holder with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year.

Right to Inspect Our Books and Records

Except as described below, each limited partner has the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such limited partner’s interest as a limited partner in our partnership, upon reasonable written demand and at such limited partner’s own expense:

 

   

to obtain true and full information regarding the status of our business and financial condition;

 

   

promptly after becoming available, to obtain a copy of our federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;

 

   

to have furnished to it a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each partner;

 

   

to have furnished to it a copy of our partnership agreement and our certificate of limited partnership and all amendments thereto, together with copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;

 

   

to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the net agreed value of any other capital contribution by each partner and that each partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a partner; and

 

   

to obtain such other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.

 

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The general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests, could damage the partnership group or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.

 

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OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

This description is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. The provisions of our partnership agreement relating to distributions of our available cash are described under “Distribution Policy.”

The description of our partnership agreement contained herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of our Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated February 8, 2006, as amended. A copy of our partnership agreement is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2006, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 29, 2006, as amended by Amendment No. 2 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 13, 2007, as amended by Amendment No. 3 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 2, 2010, as amended by Amendment No. 4 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 27, 2013, as amended by Amendment No. 5 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2016, as amended by Amendment No. 6 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 19, 2018, as amended by Amendment No. 7 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.10 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 8, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 8 to our partnership agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2021, each of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read our partnership agreement, as our partnership agreement, and not this description, governs our partnership interests.

Purpose

Under our partnership agreement, we are permitted to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that is approved by our general partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law, provided that our general partner may not cause us to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that our general partner determines would cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes.

Power of Attorney

Each unitholder, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder, by accepting the unit, automatically grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants the authority to amend, and to make consents and waivers under, our partnership agreement.

Distributions

Pursuant to our partnership agreement, we make quarterly distributions of available cash to all unitholders and our general partner. Please see “Distribution Policy.”

Reimbursement of Expenses

Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. Our general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us.

 

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Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities; Preemptive Rights

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the partnership securities for any partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such persons, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as our general partner determines, all without the approval of any limited partners.

It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional partnership interests may dilute (i) the percentage interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets and (ii) the voting rights of the then-existing holders of common units under our partnership agreement.

In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.

Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will have the right to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its then-current general partner interest in us; provided, however, that the capital contributions of our general partner will be offset to the extent contributions received by us in exchange for the issuance of additional partnership securities are used by us concurrently with such contributions to redeem or repurchase from any person outstanding partnership securities of the same class as the partnership securities that were issued. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units or other partnership securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain its percentage interest, including its interest represented by common units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance.

The holders of our common units do not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.

As of May 10, 2021, we had 669,138,613 Class A units representing limited partner interests (the “Class A units”) outstanding. The Class A units vote together with our common units, as a single class, on any matter for which the holders of common units are entitled to vote, except as required by law. Additionally, for so long as Kelcy Warren is an officer or a director of our general partner, upon the issuance by us of additional common units or any securities that have voting rights that are pari passu with our common units, we will issue to the holder of Class A units a number of additional Class A units such that the holder maintains a voting interest in us that is identical to its voting interest in us prior to such issuance. The Class A units are not entitled to distributions and otherwise have no economic attributes, except that the Class A units in the aggregate will be entitled to an aggregate $100 distribution prior and in preference to any distribution of assets to the holders of any other classes or series of our securities upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Class A units are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, common units. In addition to the other voting rights of the Class A units, without the approval of 66 2/3% of the Class A units, we may not take any action that disproportionately or materially adversely affects the rights, preferences or privileges of the Class A units or amend the terms of the Class A units. Without the prior approval of a conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner, the Class A units may not be transferred to any person or entity, other than to Kelcy Warren, Ray Davis or to any trust, family partnership or family limited liability company the sole beneficiaries, partners or members of which are Kelcy Warren, Ray Davis or their respective relatives.

Amendments to Our Partnership Agreement

General

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. Our general partner has no duty or obligation to propose any amendment to our partnership agreement and may decline to do

 

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so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us, any limited partner or assignee and, in declining to propose an amendment, is not required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by our partnership agreement, any other agreement contemplated under our partnership agreement or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. A proposed amendment will be effective upon its approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units (a “unit majority”), unless a greater or different percentage is required under our partnership agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of outstanding units will be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, our general partner will seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of outstanding units or call a meeting of the unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. Our general partner will notify all record holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.

Restrictions on Certain Amendments

Our partnership agreement provides that:

 

  (1)

no provision of our partnership agreement that establishes a percentage of outstanding units (including units deemed owned by our general partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of outstanding units whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced;

 

  (2)

no amendment to our partnership agreement may (a) enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to clause (3) below, (b) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, our general partner or any of its affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option, (c) change the provision of our partnership agreement providing for our dissolution upon an election to dissolve our partnership by our general partner that is approved by a unit majority (the “election to dissolve provision”), or (d) change the term of our partnership or, except as set forth in the election to dissolve provision, give any person the right to dissolve our partnership;

 

  (3)

except for mergers or consolidations approved pursuant to the partnership agreement, and without limitation of our general partner’s authority to adopt amendments to our partnership agreement described below under “—No Unitholder Approval,” any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of partnership interests in relation to other classes of partnership interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding partnership interests of the class affected;

 

  (4)

except for amendments described below under “—No Unitholder Approval” and except in connection with unitholder approval of a merger or consolidation, no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any limited partner under applicable law; and

 

  (5)

except for amendments described below under “—No Unitholder Approval,” the provisions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above may only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units.

No Unitholder Approval

Our general partner, without the approval of any limited partner, may amend any provision of our partnership agreement to reflect:

 

  (1)

a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office;

 

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  (2)

admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;

 

  (3)

a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of our partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the members of the partnership group will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes;

 

  (4)

a change that our general partner determines (a) does not adversely affect the limited partners (including any particular class of partnership interests as compared to other classes of partnership interests) in any material respect, (b) to be necessary or appropriate to (i) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (ii) facilitate the trading of our units (including the division of any class or classes of outstanding units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any national securities exchange on which the units are or will be listed for trading, (c) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by our general partner pursuant to the provisions of our partnership agreement governing distributions, subdivisions and combinations of partnership securities or (d) is required to effect the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or is otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement;

 

  (5)

a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and any other changes that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in our fiscal year or taxable year, including, if our general partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” under our partnership agreement and the dates on which distributions are to be made by us;

 

  (6)

an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of counsel, to prevent us, or our general partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

 

  (7)

subject to certain limitations, an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of partnership securities pursuant to our partnership agreement;

 

  (8)

any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;

 

  (9)

an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement approved in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement;

 

  (10)

an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by us of, or investment by us in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by us of activities permitted by the terms of our partnership agreement;

 

  (11)

a merger or conveyance pursuant to which (a) our general partner has received an opinion of counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any limited partner or any member of the partnership group or cause us or any member of the partnership group 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 previously treated as such), (b) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form

 

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  of us into another limited liability entity and (c) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the limited partners and our general partner with the same rights and obligations as are contained in our partnership agreement; or

 

  (12)

any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner

Our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ notice to our unitholders, and that withdrawal will not constitute a breach of our partnership agreement. In addition, our partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders.

If our general partner gives a notice of withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor general partner. The person so elected as successor general partner will automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other members of the partnership group of which our general partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of our general partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not selected by our unitholders or we do not receive a withdrawal opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, our partnership will be dissolved in accordance with our partnership agreement.

Our general partner may be removed if such removal is approved by our unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding units (including units held by our general partner and its affiliates). The right of the holders of outstanding units to remove our general partner may not be exercised unless we have received a withdrawal opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. The ownership of more than 33 1/3% of our outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates would give it the practical ability to prevent its removal.

We will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for the benefit of us or the other members of the partnership group.

Transfer of General Partner Interest

Our general partner may transfer all or any of its general partner interest without unitholder approval. At any time, the members of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their membership interests in our general partner to an affiliate or a third party without the approval of our unitholders.

Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

We will continue as a limited partnership until dissolved under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:

 

   

the withdrawal, removal, bankruptcy or dissolution of our general partner, unless a successor general partner is elected prior to or on the effective date of such withdrawal, removal, bankruptcy or dissolution and a withdrawal opinion of counsel is received by us;

 

   

an election to dissolve us by our general partner that is approved by the holders of a unit majority;

 

   

the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of us pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

 

   

the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the partnership group.

 

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Upon (a) our dissolution following the withdrawal or removal of our general partner and the failure of the partners to select a successor general partner, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) our dissolution upon the bankruptcy or dissolution of our general partner, then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a unit majority may elect to reconstitute us and continue our business on the same terms and conditions set forth in our partnership agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to those set forth in our partnership agreement and having as the successor general partner a person approved by the holders of a unit majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, we shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up our affairs.

Limited Call Right

If at any time our general partner and its affiliates hold more than 90% of the total limited partner interests of any class then outstanding, our general partner will then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to us or any affiliate of our general partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such limited partner interests of such class then outstanding held by persons other than our general partner and its affiliates. As a consequence, a unitholder may be required to sell his common units at an undesirable time or price.

Indemnification

Section 17-108 of the Delaware Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever. Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons (each an “indemnitee”) to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an indemnitee:

 

   

our general partner;

 

   

any departing general partner;

 

   

any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner;

 

   

any person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, fiduciary or trustee of any member of the partnership group, our general partner or any departing partner or any affiliate of any member of the partnership group, our general partner or any departing partner;

 

   

any person who is or was serving at the request of our general partner or any departing partner or any affiliate of our general partner or any departing partner as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person (provided, that a person will not be an indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services); or

 

   

any person that our general partner designates as an “indemnitee” for purposes of our partnership agreement.

Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees in its sole discretion, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, such indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under the partnership agreement.

Under our partnership agreement, an indemnitee will not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to our partnership agreement, the

 

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indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

In the opinion of the SEC, indemnification provisions that purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act are contrary to public policy and are, therefore, unenforceable.

Registration Rights

Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any units or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

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DISTRIBUTION POLICY

General

We will distribute to our unitholders, within 50 days after the end of each quarter, all of our available cash in the manner described below.

Definition of Available Cash

Available cash generally means, for any calendar quarter, all cash on hand at the end of such quarter:

 

   

less the amount of cash that the general partner determines in good faith is necessary or appropriate to:

 

   

provide for the proper conduct of business;

 

   

satisfy general, administrative and other expenses and debt service requirements;

 

   

comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements;

 

   

provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters; or

 

   

provide funds for distributions on our outstanding preferred units and Class B units;

 

   

plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter.

Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation

If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called a liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors in the order of priority provided in the partnership agreement and by law, and, thereafter, we will distribute $100 to the holders of our Class A Units in the aggregate and any remaining proceeds to our other unitholders, including the holders of our common units and our general partner, in accordance with their respective positive capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.

No unitholder will have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its capital account upon liquidation of us.

Distributions to Preferred Unitholders

Prior to making any distributions to the unitholders as described above, the holders of our preferred units are entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our general partner out of legally available funds for such purpose, cumulative quarterly cash distributions. Unless otherwise determined by our general partner, distributions on the ET preferred units are deemed to have been paid out of available cash with respect to the quarter ended immediately preceding the quarter in which the distribution is made.

Distributions on each class of ET preferred units are subject to an initial fixed distribution rate for a specified term, followed by a floating or reset distribution rate, as applicable, to extend thereafter until all outstanding ET preferred units of that class are redeemed.

The Series A preferred units have an initial distribution rate of 6.250% of the Series A liquidation preference of $1,000 per Series A preferred unit (the “Series A Liquidation Preference”) until February 14, 2023 and, thereafter, distributions will accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the Series A Liquidation Preference equal to an annual floating rate of the three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.028% per annum.

 

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The Series B preferred units have an initial distribution rate of 6.625% of the Series B liquidation preference of $1,000 per Series B preferred unit (the “Series B Liquidation Preference”) until February 14, 2028 and, thereafter, distributions will accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the Series B Liquidation Preference equal to an annual floating rate of the three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.155% per annum.

The Series C preferred units have an initial distribution rate of 7.375% of the Series C liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series C preferred unit (the “Series C Liquidation Preference”) until May 14, 2023 and, thereafter, distributions will accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the Series C Liquidation Preference equal to an annual floating rate of the three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.530% per annum.

The Series D preferred units have an initial distribution rate of 7.625% of the Series D liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series D preferred unit (the “Series D Liquidation Preference”) until August 14, 2023 and, thereafter, distributions will accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the Series D Liquidation Preference equal to an annual floating rate of the three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.738% per annum.

The Series E preferred units have an initial distribution rate of 7.600% of the Series E liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series E preferred unit (the “Series E Liquidation Preference”) until May 15, 2024 and, thereafter, distributions will accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the Series E Liquidation Preference equal to an annual floating rate of the three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.161% per annum.

The Series F preferred units have an initial distribution rate of 6.750% of the Series F liquidation preference of $1,000 per Series F preferred unit (the “Series F Liquidation Preference”) until May 15, 2025 and, thereafter, distributions will accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the Series D Liquidation Preference equal to the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate as of the most recent Series F Reset Distribution Determination Date plus a spread of 5.134% per annum.

The Series G preferred units have an initial distribution rate of 7.125% of the Series G liquidation preference of $1,000 per Series G preferred unit (the “Series G Liquidation Preference”) until May 15, 2030 and, thereafter, distributions will accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the Series G Liquidation Preference equal to the Five-year U.S. Treasury Rate as of the most recent Series G Reset Distribution Determination Date plus a spread of 5.306% per annum.

Distributions to Other Units

Our partnership agreement provides that each Class B unit is entitled to a quarterly cash distribution in an amount equal to $0.35325 per Class B unit. If we are unable to pay the Class B unit quarterly distribution with respect to any quarter, (i) the amount of such accrued and unpaid distributions will accumulate until paid in full in cash and (ii) the balance of such accrued and unpaid distributions shall increase at a rate of 1.5% per annum, compounded quarterly, from the date such distribution was due until the date it is paid.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED UNITS

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional limited partner interests and other equity securities on the terms and conditions established by our general partner without the approval of any of our limited partners. In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may issue additional partnership interests that have special voting rights to which our common units are not entitled.

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of any preferred units issued by us that may be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus.

As of June 1, 2021, we had outstanding:

 

   

950,000 6.250% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $1,000 per unit, representing a limited partner interest in ET (“Series A preferred units”);

 

   

550,000 6.625% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $1,000 per unit, representing limited partner interests in ET (the “Series B preferred units”);

 

   

18,000,000 7.375% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $25 per unit, representing limited partner interests in ET (the “Series C preferred units”);

 

   

17,800,000 7.625% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $25 per unit, representing limited partner interests in ET (the “Series D preferred units”);

 

   

32,000,000 7.600% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $25 per unit, representing limited partner interests in ET (the “Series E preferred units” and, together with the Series D preferred units and the Series E preferred units, the “retail preferred units”);

 

   

500,000 6.750% Series F Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $1,000 per unit, representing limited partner interests in ET (the “Series F preferred units”); and

 

   

1,100,000 7.125% Series G Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, liquidation preference $1,000 per unit, representing limited partner interests in ET (the “Series G preferred units” and, together with the Series A preferred units, the Series B preferred units and the Series F preferred units, the “institutional preferred units” and, together with the retail preferred units, the “existing preferred units”).

We urge you to read our partnership agreement, as our partnership agreement, and not this description, governs our partnership interests.

Distributions

The holders of each series of existing preferred units are entitled to receive cumulative distributions as described under “Our Partnership Agreement—Distributions to Preferred Unitholders.”

Listing

The Series C preferred units, Series D preferred units and the Series E preferred units are listed on the NYSE under the symbols “ETprC,” “ETprD“ and “ETprE,” respectively. The institutional preferred units are not listed on any securities exchange.

 

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Ranking

Each series of existing preferred units, with respect to anticipated semi-annual or quarterly distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of our affairs, ranks:

 

   

senior to any junior securities (including our common units and the general partner interest);

 

   

pari passu with any parity securities (including each other series of our preferred units, including the existing preferred units); and

 

   

junior to any senior securities.

Each series of existing preferred units is subordinated to all of our and our subsidiaries’ existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities (including our senior notes, and any other senior securities we may issue in the future with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us).

Under our partnership agreement, we may issue junior securities from time to time in one or more series without the consent of the holders of the existing preferred units. Our general partner has the authority to determine the designations, preferences, rights, powers, and duties of any such series before the issuance of any units of that series. Our general partner will also determine the number of units constituting each series of securities. Our ability to issue additional parity securities in certain circumstances or senior securities is limited as described below under “Voting Rights.”

Optional Redemption

Institutional Preferred Units

At any time on or after February 15, 2023, with respect to the Series A preferred units, the Series F preferred units and the Series G preferred units, or February 15, 2028, with respect to the Series B preferred units, we may redeem each series of institutional preferred units, in whole or in part, out of amounts legally available therefor, at a redemption price of $1,000 per unit plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. In addition, we may redeem each series of institutional preferred units, in whole but not in part, at a price of $1,020 per unit upon the occurrence of certain changes to the equity credit criteria attributed to the applicable series of institutional preferred units by any of ET’s rating agencies as further described in our partnership agreement. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness. With respect to the Series A preferred units and the Series B preferred units, we must provide not less than 15 days’ and not more than 60 days’ written notice of any such redemption. With respect to the Series F preferred units and the Series G preferred units, we must provide not less than 30 days’ and not more than 60 days’ written notice of any such redemption. We may undertake multiple partial redemptions with respect to each series of institutional preferred units.

Retail Preferred Units

At any time on or after May 15, 2023, with respect to the Series C preferred units, August 15, 2023, with respect to the Series D preferred units, and May 15, 2024, with respect to the Series E preferred units, we may redeem each series of retail preferred units, in whole or in part, out of amounts legally available therefor, at a redemption price of $25 per unit plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. In addition, we may redeem each series of retail preferred units, in whole but not in part, at a price of $25.50 per unit upon the occurrence of certain changes to the equity credit criteria attributed to the applicable series of retail preferred units by any of ET’s rating agencies as further described in our partnership agreement. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness. We must provide not less than 30 days’ and not more than 60 days’ written notice of any such redemption. We may undertake multiple partial redemptions with respect to each series of retail preferred units.

 

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Conversion Rights

The existing preferred units are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property at the option of the holder.

Liquidation Rights

If necessary, the holders of outstanding existing preferred units will first be specially allocated items of our gross income and gain in a manner designed to cause, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ET’s affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, a liquidation preference of $1,000 per unit with respect to the institutional preferred units and a liquidation preference of $25 per unit with respect to the retail preferred units.

If the amount of ET’s gross income and gain available to be specially allocated to the existing preferred units is not sufficient to cause the capital account of such existing preferred unit to equal the liquidation preference of the existing preferred unit, then the amount that a holder of such existing preferred unit would receive upon liquidation may be less than the liquidation preference of such existing preferred unit. Any accumulated and unpaid distributions on the existing preferred units and the parity securities will be paid prior to any distributions in liquidation made in accordance with capital account balances. The rights of holders of the existing preferred units to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the rights of the holders of any senior securities and the proportional rights of holders of the parity securities. A consolidation or merger of ET with or into any other entity, individually or in a series of transactions, will not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ET’s affairs.

Voting Rights

Except as described below, holders of the existing preferred units generally have no voting rights.

Unless ET has received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding units of each series of existing preferred units, voting as a separate class, we may not adopt any amendment to our partnership agreement that would have a material adverse effect on the powers, preferences, duties, or special rights of such series of existing preferred units.

In addition, unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding existing preferred units, voting as a class together with holders of any other parity securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, we may not (i) create or issue any parity securities (including any additional existing preferred units) if the cumulative distributions payable on then outstanding existing preferred units (or parity securities, if applicable) are in arrears, or (ii) create or issue any senior securities.

On any matter on which the holders of the existing preferred units are entitled to vote as a class, such holders will be entitled to one vote per existing preferred unit.

Transfer of Units

There is no restriction on the transfer of the existing preferred units other than restrictions and conditions applicable to transfers of any limited partner interests under our partnership agreement.

Preemptive Rights

No holder of existing preferred units has any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of additional partnership securities under our partnership agreement.

 

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Rights Upon a Change of Control

The holders of existing preferred units do not have any specific rights or protections upon a change of control at ET.

Sinking Fund

The existing preferred units do not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (as amended or supplemented (the “indenture”). We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

   

the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

   

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

   

any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within

 

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which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

   

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

   

the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

 

   

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

   

if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

   

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

   

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange;

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and

 

   

whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees.

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The Subsidiary Guarantees

Our payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by one or more Subsidiary Guarantors. If a series of debt securities are so guaranteed, the Subsidiary Guarantors will execute a notation of guarantee as further evidence of their guarantee. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors. If a series of debt securities is guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors and is designated as subordinate to our Senior Indebtedness, then the guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors will be subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantors to substantially the same extent as the series is subordinated to our Senior Indebtedness. Please read “—Subordination.”

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”), or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

 

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person unless:

 

   

either (i) we are the surviving person in the case of a merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving person is (a) a partnership, limited liability company or corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, a state thereof or the District of Columbia and (b) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

   

if we are not the surviving person, then any Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the person with which we have consummated a transaction under this provision, shall have confirmed that its guarantee of the notes shall continue to apply to the obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that the merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, and if a supplemental indenture is required, the supplemental indenture, comply with the indenture.

Thereafter, the surviving person will be substituted for us under the indenture. If we sell or otherwise dispose of (except by lease) all or substantially all of our assets and the above stated requirements are satisfied, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and the debt securities.

A series of debt securities may contain additional financial and other covenants. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of any such covenants that are added to the indenture specifically for the benefit of holders of a particular series.

Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us.

Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

   

default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

   

default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

 

   

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us, or if the series of debt securities is guaranteed by any Subsidiary Guarantor, by such Subsidiary Guarantor, in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

   

certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us, or, if the series of debt securities is guaranteed by any Subsidiary Guarantor, of such Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

   

if the series of debt securities is guaranteed by any Subsidiary Guarantor, any of the subsidiary guarantees;

 

   

ceases to be in full force and effect, except as otherwise provided in the indenture;

 

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is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding; or

 

   

any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the indenture or its guarantee; or

 

   

any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof.

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

   

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series;

 

   

the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a

 

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majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days;

 

   

the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 90 calendar days of such notice; and

 

   

during or prior to such 90-day period, the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of such series a direction inconsistent with such request.

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each holder of the debt securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

   

to add any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

to secure the debt securities and/or any guarantees;

 

   

to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

   

to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series;

 

   

to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;

 

   

to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series;

 

   

to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;

 

   

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

 

   

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

   

to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

 

   

to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments.

 

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We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

   

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

   

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

   

waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

   

make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

   

make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

   

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall

 

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confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

   

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

   

any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:

 

   

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

   

delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The indenture will provide that we may satisfy and discharge the indenture as it relates to any series of debt securities if the debt securities of such series have matured or will mature within one year by reason of a redemption or otherwise, if certain requirements set forth in the indenture are satisfied.

No Personal Liability

None of the past, present or future partners, incorporators, managers, members, directors, officers, employees, unitholders of us or our general partner, as such, will be liable for:

 

   

any of our obligations or the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantors under the debt securities, the indenture or the guarantees; or

 

   

any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.

By accepting a debt security, each holder will be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for our issuance of the debt securities. This waiver may not be effective, however, to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

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Conversion or Exchange Rights

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common units. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of common units to be received by holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.

Subordination

Debt securities of a series may be subordinated to our “Senior Indebtedness,” which we define generally to include any obligation created or assumed by us for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof, whether outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such obligation, it is provided that such obligation is subordinate or not superior in right of payment to the debt securities or to other obligations that are pari passu with or subordinated to the debt securities. Subordinated debt securities and any related guarantees will be subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the indenture and the prospectus supplement relating to such series, to the prior payment of all of our indebtedness and that of, if applicable, any Subsidiary Guarantor that is designated as “Senior Indebtedness” with respect to the series.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the debt securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

The indenture will provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

The indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture will further provide that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture will further provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless we indicate differently in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

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So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below and unless if otherwise provided in the description of the applicable securities herein or in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

 

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As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

 

   

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

 

   

we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

 

   

an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

Euroclear and Clearstream

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, you may hold interests in a global security through Clearstream Banking S.A., which we refer to as “Clearstream,” or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as “Euroclear,” either directly if you are a participant in Clearstream or Euroclear or indirectly through organizations which are participants in Clearstream or Euroclear. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their respective participants through customers’ securities accounts in the names of Clearstream and Euroclear, respectively, on the books of their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in such depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.

Clearstream and Euroclear are securities clearance systems in Europe. Clearstream and Euroclear hold securities for their respective participating organizations and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between those participants through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates.

Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global securities owned through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, are also subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.

Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers and other transactions involving any beneficial interests in global securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with the DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective U.S. depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the global securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement. Participants in Euroclear or Clearstream may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

 

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Due to time zone differences, the securities accounts of a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream purchasing an interest in a global security from a direct participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant participant in Euroclear or Clearstream, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global security by or through a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.

Other

The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear and their respective book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for this information. This information has been provided solely as a matter of convenience. The rules and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear are solely within the control of those organizations and could change at any time. Neither we nor the trustee nor any agent of ours or of the trustee has any control over those entities and none of us takes any responsibility for their activities. You are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants directly to discuss those matters. In addition, although we expect that DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear will perform the foregoing procedures, none of them is under any obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor any agent of ours will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants of these or any other rules or procedures governing their respective operations.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered securities from time to time:

 

   

through underwriters or dealers;

 

   

through agents;

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers; or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

This section is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective common unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to our general partner and us, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. A description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of preferred units and debt securities will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the offering of such units or securities. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code (the “Treasury Regulations”) and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we”, “us” or “our” are references to Energy Transfer LP and our operating subsidiaries.

The following discussion does not comment on all federal income tax matters affecting us or our unitholders and does not describe the application of the alternative minimum tax that may be applicable to certain unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and has only limited application to corporations, estates, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, trusts, nonresident aliens, U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons (including, without limitation, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and foreign persons eligible for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with the United States), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), real estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities, U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding their units as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction, persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our common units being taken into account in an applicable financial statement and persons deemed to sell their units under the constructive sale provisions of the Code. In addition, the discussion only comments, to a limited extent, on state, local and foreign tax consequences. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult his own tax advisor in analyzing the state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of our common units and potential changes in applicable laws.

No ruling has been requested from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding our characterization as a partnership for tax purposes. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Latham & Watkins LLP. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our common units, including the prices at which our common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.

All statements as to matters of U.S. federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect thereto, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us and our general partner.

Notwithstanding the above, and for the reasons described below, Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: (i) the treatment of a unitholder

 

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whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Short Sales”); (ii) whether all aspects of our monthly method for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); (and iii) whether our method for taking into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” and “—Uniformity of Units”).

Partnership Status

A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable to the partnership or the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in his partnership interest. Section 7704 of the Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation and processing of certain minerals and natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas and other products of a type that are produced in a petroleum refinery or natural gas processing plant, the retail and wholesale marketing of propane, the transportation of propane and natural gas liquids, certain related hedging activities, certain activities that are intrinsic to other qualifying activities, and our allocable share of our subsidiaries’ income from these sources. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, real property rents, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 3% of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Latham & Watkins LLP is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income may change from time to time.

The IRS has made no determination as to our status or the status of our operating subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP on such matters. It is the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP that, based upon the Code, the Treasury Regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below that:

 

   

we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes; and

 

   

each of our operating subsidiaries, except as otherwise identified to Latham & Watkins LLP, will be disregarded as an entity separate from us or will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

In rendering its opinion, Latham & Watkins LLP has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Latham & Watkins LLP has relied include:

 

   

neither we nor any of our partnership or limited liability company subsidiaries, other than those identified as such to Latham & Watkins LLP, have elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes;

 

   

for each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of the type that Latham & Watkins LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Code; and

 

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each commodity hedging transaction that we treat as resulting in qualifying income has been and will be appropriately identified as a hedging transaction pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations, and has been and will be associated with oil, gas or products thereof that are held or to be held by us in activities that Latham & Watkins LLP has opined or will opine result in qualifying income.

We believe that these representations have been true in the past, are true as of the date hereof and expect that these representations will continue to be true in the future.

If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.

If we were treated as an association taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.

The discussion below is based on Latham & Watkins LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Limited Partner Status

Unitholders of Energy Transfer LP will be treated as partners of Energy Transfer LP for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners of Energy Transfer LP for federal income tax purposes.

A beneficial owner of our common units whose common units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Short Sales.”

Income, gains, losses or deductions would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of holding our units. The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in Energy Transfer LP for federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership

Flow-Through of Taxable Income

Subject to the discussion below under “—Entity-Level Collections,” we will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses

 

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and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.

Treatment of Distributions

Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “—Disposition of Common Units.” Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at-risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “—Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”

A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. This deemed distribution may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation, recapture and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” each as defined in the Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, a unitholder will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and then having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in a unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (i) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (ii) the unitholder’s tax basis (often zero) for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.

Basis of Units

A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units will be the amount the unitholder paid for the common units plus the unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income, by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and, on the disposition of a common unit, by his share of certain items related to business interest not yet deductible by him due to applicable limitations. Please read “—Limitations on Interest Deductions.” That basis will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, by his share of our excess business interest (generally, the excess of our business interest over the amount that is deductible) and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner to the extent of the general partner’s “net value” as defined in Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 752 of the Code, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Limitations on Deductibility of Losses

The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder, estate, trust, or corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations), to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A common unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at-risk amount to be less than zero at the end

 

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of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction to the extent that his at-risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed such common unitholder’s tax basis in his units. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at-risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at-risk limitation in excess of that gain would no longer be utilizable.

In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at-risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.

In addition to the basis and at-risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or a unitholder’s investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or the unitholder’s salary, active business or other income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and the basis limitation. A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.

An additional loss limitation may apply to certain of our unitholders for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026. A non-corporate unitholder will not be allowed to take a deduction for certain excess business losses in such taxable years. An excess business loss is the excess (if any) of a taxpayer’s aggregate deductions for the taxable year that are attributable to the trades or businesses of such taxpayer (determined without regard to the excess business loss limitation) over the aggregate gross income or gain of such taxpayer for the taxable year that is attributable to such trades or businesses plus a threshold amount. The threshold amount is equal to $262,000, or $524,000 for taxpayers filing a joint return. Any losses disallowed in a taxable year due to the excess business loss limitation may be used by the applicable unitholder in the following taxable year if certain conditions are met. Unitholders to which this excess business loss limitation applies will take their allocable share of our items of income, gain, loss and deduction into account in determining this limitation. This excess business loss limitation will be applied to a non-corporate unitholder after the passive loss limitations and may limit such unitholders’ ability to utilize any losses we generate that are allocable to such unitholder and that are not otherwise limited by the basis, at-risk and passive loss limitations described above.

Limitations on Interest Deductions

Our ability to deduct interest paid or accrued on indebtedness properly allocable to a trade or business, “business interest,” may be limited in certain circumstances. Should our ability to deduct business interest be limited, the amount of taxable income allocated to our unitholders in the taxable year in which the limitation is in effect may increase. However, in certain circumstances, a unitholder may be able to utilize a portion of a

 

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business interest deduction subject to this limitation in future taxable years. Prospective unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the impact of this business interest deduction limitation on an investment in our units.

In addition, the deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:

 

   

interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;

 

   

our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and

 

   

the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.

The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment or (if applicable) qualified dividend income. The IRS has indicated that the net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.

Entity-Level Collections

If we were required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.

Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction

After giving effect to special allocation provisions with respect to our other classes of units, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the common unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. If we have a net loss, that loss will be allocated to all common unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts, as adjusted for certain items in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations, and to our general partner in accordance with its percentage interest in us.

Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of any property contributed to us that exists at the time of such contribution, referred to in this discussion as the “Contributed Property.” The effect of these allocations, referred to as Section 704(c) Allocations, to a unitholder purchasing common units from us in an offering will be essentially the same as if the tax bases of our assets were equal to their fair market values at the time of such offering. In the event we issue additional common units or engage in certain other transactions in the future, we will make “Reverse Section 704(c) Allocations,” similar to the Section 704(c) Allocations described above, to all of our unitholders immediately prior to such issuance or other transactions to account for the difference between

 

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the “book” basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of such issuance or future transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts (subject to certain adjustments), if negative capital accounts (subject to certain adjustments) nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate such negative balance as quickly as possible.

An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has “substantial economic effect.” In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:

 

   

his relative contributions to us;

 

   

the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;

 

   

the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and

 

   

the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.

Latham & Watkins LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “—Section 754 Election” and “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.

Treatment of Short Sales

A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:

 

   

any of our income, gain, deduction or loss with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder;

 

   

any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and

 

   

while not entirely free from doubt, all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income.

Because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on the issue relating to partnership interests, Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to consult a tax advisor to discuss whether it is advisable to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has previously announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss on Sale.”

 

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Tax Rates

Currently, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 37% and the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains (generally, capital gains on certain assets held for more than twelve months) of individuals is 20%. Such rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.

In addition, a 3.8% Medicare tax (“NIIT”) is imposed on certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates and trusts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income or (ii) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income, or (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins for such taxable year. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued Treasury Regulations that provide guidance regarding the NIIT. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of the NIIT on an investment in our units.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and ending on or before December 31, 2025, a non-corporate unitholder is entitled to a deduction equal to 20% of its “qualified business income” attributable to us, subject to certain limitations. For purposes of this deduction, a unitholder’s “qualified business income” attributable to us is equal to the sum of:

 

   

the net amount of such unitholder’s allocable share of certain of our items of income, gain, deduction and loss (generally excluding certain items related to our investment activities, including capital gains and dividends, which are subject to a federal income tax rate of 20%); and

 

   

any gain recognized by such unitholder on the disposition of its units to the extent such gain is attributable to certain Section 751 assets, including depreciation recapture and “inventory items” we own.

Prospective unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and availability of the deduction for qualified business income.

Section 754 Election

We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election generally permits us to adjust a common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does not apply with respect to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, the inside basis in our assets with respect to a unitholder will be considered to have two components: (i) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (ii) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.

We have adopted the remedial allocation method as to all our properties. Where the remedial allocation method is adopted, the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property that is subject to depreciation under Section 168 of the Code and whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.”

 

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We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property that is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate such unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss on Sale.” Latham & Watkins LLP is unable to opine as to whether our method for taking into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable for property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Code or if we use an aggregate approach as described above, as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the validity of these positions. Moreover, the IRS may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.

Subject to certain limitations, a Section 743(b) adjustment may create additional depreciable basis that is eligible for bonus depreciation under Section 168(k) to the extent the adjustment is attributable to depreciable property and not to goodwill or real property. However, because we may not be able to determine whether transfers of our units satisfy all of the eligibility requirements and due to other limitations regarding administrability, we may elect out of the bonus depreciation provisions of Section 168(k) with respect to basis adjustments under Section 743(b).

A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer. Generally, a built-in loss is substantial if (i) it exceeds $250,000 or (ii) the transferee would be allocated a net loss in excess of $250,000 on a hypothetical sale of our assets for their fair market value immediately after a transfer of the interest at issue. In addition, a basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. A substantial basis reduction exists if, on a liquidating distribution of property to a unitholder, there would be a negative basis adjustment to our assets in excess of $250,000 if a Section 754 election were in place.

The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the

 

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expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.

Tax Treatment of Operations

Accounting Method and Taxable Year

We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”

Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization

The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to an offering will be borne by our unitholders holding interests in us prior to any such offering. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”

To the extent allowable, we may use the depreciation and cost recovery methods, including bonus depreciation to the extent available, that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Code.

If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss on Sale.”

The costs we incur in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.

Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or determinations of basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.

 

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Disposition of Common Units

Recognition of Gain or Loss on Sale

Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.

Prior distributions on our common units that in the aggregate were in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit and, therefore, decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.

Except as noted in the following paragraph, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held for more than twelve months will generally be taxed at the U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains. Both ordinary income and capital gain recognized on a sale of units may be subject to the NIIT in certain circumstances. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Tax Rates.”

A portion of the gain or loss with respect to our common units, which will likely be substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to “unrealized receivables,” including potential recapture items such as depreciation recapture, or to “inventory items” we own. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables and inventory items may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations. Ordinary income recognized by a unitholder on disposition of our common units may be reduced by such unitholder’s deduction for qualified business income.

The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, he may designate specific units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.

Specific provisions of the Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:

 

   

a short sale;

 

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an offsetting notional principal contract; or

 

   

a futures or forward contract;

in each case, with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.

Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.

Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees

In general, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis in proportion to the number of days in each month and will be subsequently apportioned among our unitholders in proportion to the number of common units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to as the “Allocation Date.” However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among our unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.

The U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS have issued Treasury Regulations that permit publicly traded partnerships to use a monthly simplifying convention that is similar to ours, but they do not specifically authorize all aspects of the proration method we have adopted. Accordingly, Latham & Watkins LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferor and transferee unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year.

A unitholder who owns common units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter through the month of disposition but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.

Notification Requirements

A unitholder who sells any of his common units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.

Uniformity of Units

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the common units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity,

 

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we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the common units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. In either case, and as stated above under “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election,” Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to these methods. Moreover, the IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss on Sale.”

Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors

Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below to a limited extent, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a foreign person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units.

Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including IRAs and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income.

Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) and will be taxable to it. Further, a tax-exempt organization with more than one unrelated trade or business (including by attribution from investments in a partnership, such as us, that is engaged in one or more unrelated trades or businesses) must compute its UBTI separately for each such trade or business, including for purposes for determining any net operating loss deductions. As a result, it may not be possible for tax-exempt organizations to use losses from an investment in us to offset taxable income from another unrelated trade or business.

Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and guaranteed payments and pay U.S. federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover,

 

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under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, our distributions to foreign unitholders will be subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.

In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular U.S. federal income tax, on its share of our earnings and profits, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Code.

A foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the foreign unitholder. Gain on the sale or disposition of a common unit will be treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business to the extent that a foreign unitholder would recognize gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business upon the hypothetical sale of our assets at fair market value on the date of the sale or exchange of that unit. Such gain shall be reduced by certain amounts treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business attributable to certain real property interests, as set forth in the following paragraph.

Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a foreign common unitholder (other than certain “qualified foreign pension funds” (or an entity all of the interests of which are held by such a qualified foreign pension fund), which generally are entities or arrangements that are established and regulated by foreign law to provide retirement or other pension benefits to employees, do not have a single participant or beneficiary that is entitled to more than 5% of the assets or income of the entity or arrangement and are subject to certain preferential tax treatment under the laws of the applicable foreign country) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a unit if (i) he owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of the applicable class of our common units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the common units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. Currently, more than 50% of our assets consist of U.S. real property interests and we do not expect that to change in the foreseeable future.

Therefore, foreign unitholders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.

Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of a common unit by a foreign unitholder, the transferee is generally required to withhold 10% of the amount realized on such sale, exchange or other disposition if any portion of the gain on such sale, exchange or other disposition would be treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have recently issued final regulations providing guidance on the application of these rules for transfers of certain publicly traded partnership interests, including transfers of our common units. Under these regulations, the “amount realized” on a transfer of our units will generally be the amount of gross proceeds paid to the broker effecting the applicable transfer on behalf of the transferor, and such broker will generally be responsible for the relevant withholding obligations. Distributions made to our unitholders may also be subject to withholding under these rules to the extent a portion of a distribution is attributable to an amount in excess of our cumulative net income that has not previously been distributed. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have provided that these rules will generally not apply to transfers of, or distributions on, our units occurring before January 1, 2022. Prospective foreign unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the impact of these rules on an investment in our units.

 

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Additional withholding requirements may also affect certain foreign unitholders. Please read “—Administrative Matters—Additional Withholding Requirements.”

Administrative Matters

Information Returns and Audit Procedures

We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Latham & Watkins LLP can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.

The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.

Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2017, the Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. Our partnership agreement names our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.

The Tax Matters Partner has made and will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.

A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.

Pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, if the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns, it may assess and collect any taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustment directly from us. Similarly, for such taxable years, if the IRS makes audit adjustments to income tax returns filed by an entity in which we are a member or partner, it may assess and collect any taxes (including penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustment directly from such entity. Generally, we expect to elect to have our general partner and our unitholders take any such audit adjustment into account in accordance with their interests in us during the taxable year under audit, but there can be no assurance that such election will be effective in all circumstances. If we are unable to have our general partner and our unitholders take such audit adjustment into account in accordance

 

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with their interests in us during the tax year under audit, our current unitholders may bear some or all of the tax liability resulting from such audit adjustment, even if such unitholders did not own our units during the tax year under audit. If, as a result of any such audit adjustment, we are required to make payments of taxes, penalties and interest, our cash available for distribution to our common unitholders might be substantially reduced.

Additionally, pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, the Code will no longer require that we designate a Tax Matters Partner. Instead, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, we will be required to designate a partner, or other person, with a substantial presence in the United States as the partnership representative (“Partnership Representative”). The Partnership Representative will have the sole authority to act on our behalf for purposes of, among other things, U.S. federal income tax audits and judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS. If we do not make such a designation, the IRS can select any person as the Partnership Representative. We have designated our general partner as our Partnership Representative. Further, any actions taken by us or by the Partnership Representative on our behalf with respect to, among other things, U.S. federal income tax audits and judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS, will be binding on us and all of our unitholders.

Additional Withholding Requirements

Subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below, withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined in the Code) and certain other foreign entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income from sources within the United States (“FDAP Income”), or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any property of a type that can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States (“Gross Proceeds”) paid to a foreign financial institution or to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined in the Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to noncompliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these requirements may be subject to different rules.

These rules generally apply to payments of FDAP Income currently and, while these rules generally would have applied to payments of relevant Gross Proceeds made on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate these withholding taxes on payments of Gross Proceeds entirely. Unitholders generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until the final Treasury Regulations are issued. Thus, to the extent we have FDAP Income that is not treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (please read “—Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors”), unitholders who are foreign financial institutions or certain other foreign entities, or persons that hold their common units through such foreign entities, may be subject to withholding on distributions they receive from us, or their distributive share of our income, pursuant to the rules described above.

Prospective unitholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of these withholding provisions to their investment in our units.

Nominee Reporting

Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:

 

   

the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;

 

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whether the beneficial owner is:

 

   

a person that is not a U.S. person;

 

   

a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or

 

   

a tax-exempt entity;

 

   

the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and

 

   

specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from dispositions.

Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $280 per failure, up to a maximum of $3,426,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.

Accuracy-Related Penalties

Certain penalties may be imposed on taxpayers as a result of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including: (i) negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, (ii) substantial understatements of income tax, (iii) substantial valuation misstatements and (iv) the disallowance of claimed tax benefits by reason of a transaction lacking economic substance or failing to meet the requirements of any similar rule of law. Except with respect to the disallowance of claimed tax benefits by reason of a transaction lacking economic substance or failing to meet the requirements of any similar rule of law, however, no penalty will be imposed for any portion of any such underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for the underpayment of that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding the underpayment of that portion.

With respect to substantial understatements of income tax, the amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced by that portion of the understatement which is attributable to a position adopted on the return: (A) for which there is, or was, “substantial authority”; or (B) as to which there is a reasonable basis and the relevant facts of that position are adequately disclosed on the return. If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must adequately disclose the relevant facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty.

Recent Legislative Developments

The present federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time, members of Congress and the President propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect the tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships.

Modifications to the federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be retroactively applied and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for us to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Please read “—Partnership Status.” We are unable to predict whether any such changes will ultimately be enacted. However, it is possible that a change in law could affect us, and any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.

 

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State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Considerations

In addition to federal income taxes, you will likely be subject to other taxes, such as state, local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or owns property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. We currently own property or does business in many states. Several of these states impose a personal income tax on individuals; certain of these states also impose an income tax on corporations and other entities. We may also own property or do business in other jurisdictions in the future. Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some jurisdictions because your income from that jurisdiction falls below the filing and payment requirement, you will be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of these jurisdictions in which we do business or owns property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Collections.” Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, our general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.

It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent states, localities and foreign jurisdictions, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each unitholder is urged to consult his own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and foreign, as well as U.S. federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state tax, local tax, alternative minimum tax or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas. Latham & Watkins LLP will also render an opinion on the material federal income tax consequences regarding the securities. If certain legal matters in connection with an offering of the securities made by this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement are passed on by counsel for the underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.

EXPERTS

The audited consolidated financial statements of Energy Transfer LP and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, incorporated by reference in this registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following is an estimate of the expenses (all of which are to be paid by the registrant) that we may incur in connection with the securities being registered hereby.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ (1

Legal fees and expenses

   $ (2

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ (2

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ (2

FINRA filing fee

   $ (2

The New York Stock Exchange supplemental listing fee

   $ (2

Blue Sky, qualification fees and expenses

   $ (2

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   $ (2

Trustee fees and expenses

   $ (2

Miscellaneous

   $ (2
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (2
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under the registration statement, and is therefore not currently determinable.

(2)

These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

As provided in our partnership agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference and described in greater detail in “Our Partnership Agreement” beginning on page 15 of this registration statement, we will generally indemnify our general partner, officers, directors and affiliates of our general partner to the fullest extent permitted by the law against all losses, claims, damages or similar events; provided, that the indemnitee will not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgement entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the indemnitee is seeking indemnification, the indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct, or in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in our partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever subject to such standards and restrictions as are set forth in our partnership agreement.

To the extent that the indemnification provisions of our partnership agreement purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and is therefore unenforceable.

We also maintain insurance coverage under a policy insuring our directors and officers against certain liabilities which they may incur in their capacity as such.

 

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Item 16.

Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1    Certificate of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form S-1, File No. 333-128097, filed September 2, 2005).
3.2    Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed October 19, 2018).
3.3    Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., dated February  8, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed February 14, 2006).
3.4    Amendment No. 1 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., dated November  1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3.1 of Form 10-K, File No. 1-32740, filed November 29, 2006).
3.5    Amendment No.  2 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., dated November 9, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3.2 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed November 13, 2007).
3.6    Amendment No. 3 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., dated May  26, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed June 2, 2010).
3.7    Amendment No.  4 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., dated December 23, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed December 27, 2013).
3.8    Amendment No.  5 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., dated as of March 8, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed March 9, 2016).
3.9    Amendment No. 6 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., dated October  19, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed October 19, 2018).
3.10    Amendment No.  7 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer LP, dated as of August 6, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 to Form 10-Q, File No. 1-32740, filed August 8, 2019).
3.11    Amendment No. 8 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Energy Transfer LP, dated as of April  1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, File No. 1-32740, filed April 2, 2021).
4.1    Form of Indenture.
4.2*    Form of Note.
5.1    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
8.1    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP as to certain tax matters.
22.1    Issuers and Guarantors of Registered Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22.1 of Form 10-Q, File No. 1-32740, filed May 7, 2021).
23.1    Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit 8.1).
23.2    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
24.1    Powers of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page hereto).
25.1    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee under the indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2 above.

 

*

To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the securities.

 

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Item 17.

Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

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The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communications that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, Texas, on June 1, 2021.

 

ENERGY TRANSFER LP
By:   LE GP, LLC,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Thomas E. Long
  Co-Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Thomas E. Long, Bradford D. Whitehurst, Thomas P. Mason and William J. Healy, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with exhibits hereto and other documents in connection therewith or in connection with the registration of the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated, which are with LE GP, LLC, the general partner of Energy Transfer LP, on June 1, 2021.

 

Signature

  

Title

   

/s/ Kelcy L. Warren

  

Executive Chairman

 
Kelcy L. Warren  

/s/ Marshall S. McCrea, III

   Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director (Co-Principal Executive Officer)  
Marshall S. McCrea, III  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

   Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director (Co-Principal Executive Officer)  
Thomas E. Long  

/s/ Bradford D. Whitehurst

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)  
Bradford D. Whitehurst  

/s/ Matthew S. Ramsey

   Chief Operating Officer and Director  
Matthew S. Ramsey  

/s/ A. Troy Sturrock

   Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)  
A. Troy Sturrock  

 

II-5


Table of Contents

/s/ Steven R. Anderson

   Director  
Steven R. Anderson  

/s/ Richard D. Brannon

   Director  
Richard D. Brannon  

/s/ Ray C. Davis

   Director  
Ray C. Davis  

/s/ Michael K. Grimm

   Director  
Michael K. Grimm  

/s/ John W. McReynolds

   Director  
John W. McReynolds  

/s/ James R. Perry

   Director  
James R. Perry  

 

   Director  

Ray W. Washburne

 

 

II-6

EX-4.1

EXHIBIT 4.1

Form of

ENERGY TRANSFER LP,

as Issuer,

and

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

NAMED HEREIN,

as Subsidiary Guarantors,

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of [●]

Debt Securities


ENERGY TRANSFER LP

RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF []

 

Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939

   Section(s) of
Indenture

Section 310

 

(a)(1)

   7.10
 

(a)(2)

   7.10
 

(a)(3)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(4)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(5)

   7.10
 

(b)

   7.08, 7.10

Section 311

 

(a)

   7.11
 

(b)

   7.11
 

(c)

   Not Applicable

Section 312

 

(a)

   2.07
 

(b)

   11.03
 

(c)

   11.03

Section 313

 

(a)

   7.06
 

(b)

   7.06
 

(c)

   7.06
 

(d)

   7.06

Section 314

 

(a)

   4.03, 4.04
 

(b)

   Not Applicable
 

(c)(1)

   11.04
 

(c)(2)

   11.04
 

(c)(3)

   Not Applicable
 

(d)

   Not Applicable
 

(e)

   11.05

Section 315

 

(a)

   7.01(b)
 

(b)

   7.05
 

(c)

   7.01(a)
 

(d)

   7.01(c)
 

(d)(1)

   7.01(c)(1)
 

(d)(2)

   7.01(c)(2)
 

(d)(3)

   7.01(c)(3)
 

(e)

   6.11

Section 316

 

(a)(1)(A)

   6.05
 

(a)(1)(B)

   6.04
 

(a)(2)

   Not Applicable
 

(a)(last sentence)

   2.11
 

(b)

   6.07

Section 316

 

(c)

   9.04

Section 317

 

(a)(1)

   6.08
 

(a)(2)

   6.09
 

(b)

   2.06

Section 318

 

(a)

   11.01

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1  

Section 1.01

 

Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02

 

Other Definitions

     5  

Section 1.03

 

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     5  

Section 1.04

 

Rules of Construction

     5  

Section 1.05

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Limited Partners and Shareholders

     6  

ARTICLE II. THE DEBT SECURITIES

     6  

Section 2.01

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     6  

Section 2.02

 

Denominations

     8  

Section 2.03

 

Forms Generally

     8  

Section 2.04

 

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     9  

Section 2.05

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

     11  

Section 2.06

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     11  

Section 2.07

 

Holder Lists

     11  

Section 2.08

 

Transfer and Exchange

     11  

Section 2.09

 

Replacement Debt Securities

     12  

Section 2.10

 

Outstanding Debt Securities

     12  

Section 2.11

 

Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Debt Securities

     13  

Section 2.12

 

Temporary Debt Securities

     13  

Section 2.13

 

Cancellation

     13  

Section 2.14

 

Payments; Defaulted Interest

     13  

Section 2.15

 

Persons Deemed Owners

     14  

Section 2.16

 

Computation of Interest

     14  

Section 2.17

 

Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions

     14  

ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION

     16  

Section 3.01

 

Applicability of Article

     16  

Section 3.02

 

Notice to the Trustee

     16  

Section 3.03

 

Selection of Debt Securities To Be Redeemed

     16  

Section 3.04

 

Notice of Redemption

     17  

Section 3.05

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     17  

Section 3.06

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

     17  

Section 3.07

 

Debt Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part

     18  

Section 3.08

 

Purchase of Debt Securities

     18  

Section 3.09

 

Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

     18  

Section 3.10

 

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities

     18  

Section 3.11

 

Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund

     18  

 

ii


ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS

     19  

Section 4.01

 

Payment of Debt Securities

     19  

Section 4.02

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     19  

Section 4.03

 

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

     20  

Section 4.04

 

Compliance Certificate

     20  

Section 4.05

 

Existence

     21  

Section 4.06

 

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

     21  

Section 4.07

 

Additional Amounts

     21  

ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS

     21  

Section 5.01

 

Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations

     21  

Section 5.02

 

Successor Person Substituted

     22  

ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     22  

Section 6.01

 

Events of Default

     22  

Section 6.02

 

Acceleration

     24  

Section 6.03

 

Other Remedies

     24  

Section 6.04

 

Waiver of Defaults

     24  

Section 6.05

 

Control by Majority

     25  

Section 6.06

 

Limitations on Suits

     25  

Section 6.07

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

     25  

Section 6.08

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

     26  

Section 6.09

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     26  

Section 6.10

 

Priorities

     26  

Section 6.11

 

Undertaking for Costs

     27  

ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE

     27  

Section 7.01

 

Duties of Trustee

     27  

Section 7.02

 

Rights of Trustee

     28  

Section 7.03

 

May Hold Debt Securities

     29  

Section 7.04

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     29  

Section 7.05

 

Notice of Defaults

     29  

Section 7.06

 

Reports by Trustee to Holders

     29  

Section 7.07

 

Compensation and Indemnity

     29  

Section 7.08

 

Replacement of Trustee

     30  

Section 7.09

 

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

     31  

Section 7.10

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

     32  

Section 7.11

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor

     32  

ARTICLE VIII. DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

     32  

Section 8.01

 

Applicability of Article

     32  

Section 8.02

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

     32  

Section 8.03

 

Conditions of Defeasance

     33  

Section 8.04

 

Application of Trust Money

     34  

Section 8.05

 

Repayment to Partnership

     34  

Section 8.06

 

Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations

     34  

Section 8.07

 

Reinstatement

     34  

 

iii


ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

     35  

Section 9.01

 

Without Consent of Holders

     35  

Section 9.02

 

With Consent of Holders

     36  

Section 9.03

 

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

     37  

Section 9.04

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     37  

Section 9.05

 

Notation on or Exchange of Debt Securities

     38  

Section 9.06

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     38  

ARTICLE X. GUARANTEE

     38  

Section 10.01

 

Guarantee

     38  

Section 10.02

 

Execution and Delivery of Guarantee

     40  

Section 10.03

 

Limitation on Liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors

     40  

Section 10.04

 

Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee

     41  

Section 10.05

 

Contribution

     41  

ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS

     41  

Section 11.01

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

     41  

Section 11.02

 

Notices

     41  

Section 11.03

 

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

     42  

Section 11.04

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     43  

Section 11.05

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     43  

Section 11.06

 

Rules by Trustee and Agents

     43  

Section 11.07

 

Legal Holidays

     43  

Section 11.08

 

Governing Law

     43  

Section 11.09

 

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     43  

Section 11.10

 

Successors

     44  

Section 11.11

 

Severability

     44  

Section 11.12

 

Counterpart Originals

     44  

Section 11.13

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     44  

 

iv


INDENTURE dated as of, among Energy Transfer LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), the parties identified as “subsidiary guarantors” on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Partnership’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), and the Guarantee by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Debt Securities, as in this Indenture provided.

The Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors are members of the same consolidated group of companies. The Subsidiary Guarantors will derive direct and indirect economic benefit from the issuance of the Debt Securities. Accordingly, each Subsidiary Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for its full, unconditional and joint and several Guarantee of the Debt Securities to the extent provided in or pursuant to this Indenture.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Partnership, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01    Definitions.

Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Debt Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person shall mean the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors,” means the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any directors and/or officers of the General Partner to whom such Board of Directors or such committee shall have duly delegated its authority to act hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the General Partner to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the General Partner and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

1


Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the office of the Trustee located at 8 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77046-0892, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, and as may be located at such other address as the Trustee may give notice to the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.

Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, as in effect from time to time.

General Partner” means LE GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors as general partner of the Partnership.

Global Security” means a Debt Security that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Debt Securities, direct obligations of the government that issues the currency in which the Debt Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such government is pledged, or obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government.

Guarantee” shall mean the guarantee of the Partnership’s obligations under the Debt Securities by a Subsidiary Guarantor as provided in Article X.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered.

Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Debt Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

2


“interest” means, with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Debt Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

Issue Date” means, with respect to Debt Securities of a series, the date on which the Debt Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

Maturity” means, with respect to any Debt Security, the date on which the principal of such Debt Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any Chief Executive Officer, Co-Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice Chairman of the Board, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Partnership, a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee.

Original Issue Discount Security” means any Debt Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

Partnership” means the Person named as the “Partnership” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Partnership” shall mean such successor Person; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Partnership” shall also mean each other obligor (if any), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, on the Debt Securities of a series.

Partnership Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Partnership or each Subsidiary Guarantor by two Officers of the General Partner and delivered to the Trustee.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01 subject to the provisions of Section 4.02.

principal” of a Debt Security means the principal of the Debt Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Debt Security.

 

3


Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Responsible Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Rule 144A Securities” means Debt Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Security Custodian” means, with respect to Debt Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Debt Securities of such series, as custodian with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.

Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Debt Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Debt Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association or business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the equity interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof or any partnership of which more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests (considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class) is, in each case, at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof.

Subsidiary Guarantors” means the Person or Persons identified as the “subsidiary guarantors” on the signature pages of this instrument until a successor Person or Persons shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person or Persons, and any other Subsidiary of the Partnership who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement thereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture.

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that if the TIA is amended after the date hereof, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the TIA as so amended.

Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of that series.

 

4


United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Debt Securities payable in Dollars.

Section 1.02    Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section

“Agent Members”

   2.17

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

   6.01

“Conversion Event”

   6.01

“covenant defeasance option”

   8.01

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Exchange Rate”

   2.11

“Funding Guarantor”

   10.05

“Judgment Currency”

   6.10

“legal defeasance option”

   8.01

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“optional sinking fund payment”

   3.09

“Paying Agent”

   2.05

“Registrar”

   2.05

“Required Currency”

   6.10

“Successor”

   5.01

Section 1.03    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture (and if the Indenture is not qualified under the TIA at that time, as if it were so qualified unless otherwise provided). The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

Commission” means the SEC.

indenture securities” means the Debt Securities.

indenture security holder” means a Holder.

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

obligor” on the indenture securities means the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor on the Debt Securities.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04    Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)    a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

5


(2)    an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3)    “or” is not exclusive;

(4)    words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5)    provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(6)    all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

Section 1.05    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Limited Partners and Shareholders. The Trustee, and each Holder of a Debt Security by its acceptance thereof, will be deemed to have agreed in this Indenture that no director, officer, employee, limited partner or shareholder, as such, of the Partnership or the General Partner shall have any personal liability in respect of the obligations of the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture or the Debt Securities issued hereunder by reason of his, her or its status.

ARTICLE II.

THE DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.01    Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the General Partner or in a Partnership Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series:

(1)    the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from the Debt Securities of all other series);

(2)    if there is to be a limit, the limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Debt Securities which, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Debt Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect;

(3)    whether any Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests for Debt Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of such series;

 

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(4)    the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

(5)    the date or dates on which the principal of and premium (if any) on the Debt Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(6)    the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Debt Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Debt Securities on any Interest Payment Date, or if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Debt Securities of the series shall be payable;

(7)    the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities of the series shall be payable;

(8)    the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Partnership, if the Partnership is to have that option, and the manner in which the Partnership must exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

(9)    whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture;

(10)    the obligation, if any, of the Partnership to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;

(11)    if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination in which any Debt Securities of that series shall be issuable;

(12)    if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Debt Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities of the series shall be payable;

(13)    if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Partnership or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Debt Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

(14)    if the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

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(15)    if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(16)    any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Debt Securities of the series and the related Guarantees pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from such conditions or limitations;

(17)    any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Debt Securities of the series;

(18)    any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

(19)    if the Debt Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities or any other securities or property of the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, at the option of the Partnership or the Holder or upon the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for such conversion or exchange;

(20)    whether the Debt Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities); and

(21)    any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Partnership Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action, together with such Board Resolution, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the General Partner and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Partnership Order setting forth the terms of the series.

Section 2.02    Denominations. The Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof.

Section 2.03    Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Debt Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Partnership’s certificate of limited partnership, agreement of limited partnership or other similar governing documents,

 

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agreements to which the Partnership is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Partnership). A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the form or forms of Debt Securities of any series shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Partnership Order contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

“This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
By:  

                                          

  Authorized Signatory”.

Section 2.04    Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. Two Officers of the General Partner shall sign the Debt Securities on behalf of the Partnership and, with respect to the Guarantees of the Debt Securities, an Officer of each Subsidiary Guarantor shall sign the Debt Securities on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer of the General Partner or any Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Debt Security is authenticated, the Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless.

A Debt Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or the related Guarantees or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Debt Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Partnership, and the Partnership delivers such Debt Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13, together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Debt Security has never been issued and sold by the Partnership, for all purposes of this Indenture such Debt Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or the related Guarantees.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Partnership may deliver Debt Securities of any series executed by the Partnership and each Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities for original issue upon a Partnership Order for the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Partnership Order. Such order shall specify the amount of the Debt Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original

 

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issue of Debt Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Debt Securities of such series not otherwise determined. If provided for in such procedures, such Partnership Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Debt Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity dates or dates, original Issue Date or Dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Debt Security to Debt Security and (2) authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Partnership or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

If the form or terms of the Debt Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01, in authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Partnership Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 11.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a)    an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

(b)    an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

(i)    the form of such Debt Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii)    the terms of such Debt Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii)    that, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Partnership in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, such Debt Securities and the related Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

If all the Debt Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Debt Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Debt Security of the series to be issued.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Debt Securities if the issuance of such Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Debt Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Partnership to authenticate Debt Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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Each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.05    Registrar and Paying Agent. The Partnership shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Debt Securities where Debt Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Debt Securities of such series and of their transfer and exchange. The Partnership may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Partnership shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Partnership shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Partnership may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Partnership fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Partnership initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

Section 2.06    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Partnership shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Debt Securities and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Partnership in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Partnership at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Partnership, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Partnership, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 317(b).

Section 2.07    Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the Partnership shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Debt Securities, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of such series, and the Partnership shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

Section 2.08    Transfer and Exchange. Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

When Debt Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of such Debt Securities or to exchange such Debt Securities for an equal principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for such transactions are met; provided, however, that the Debt Securities presented or surrendered for

 

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registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Debt Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Debt Securities or Global Securities. No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Partnership may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Debt Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Partnership shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Debt Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Debt Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days prior to the delivery of notice of any offer to repurchase Debt Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Debt Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of such delivery.

Each Holder of a Debt Security agrees to indemnify the Partnership, the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Debt Securities in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/ or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Debt Security (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

Section 2.09    Replacement Debt Securities. If any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Debt Security claims that the Debt Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Partnership and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security, the Partnership shall issue, and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Debt Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Partnership in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Debt Security, pay such Debt Security. If required by the Trustee, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Partnership, such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Partnership to protect the Partnership, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Debt Security is replaced. The Partnership and the Trustee may charge a Holder for their expenses in replacing a Debt Security.

Every replacement Debt Security is an additional obligation of the Partnership.

Section 2.10    Outstanding Debt Securities. The Debt Securities outstanding at any time are all the Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

 

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If a Debt Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Debt Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Debt Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

A Debt Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Partnership, a Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor holds the Debt Security.

Section 2.11    Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Debt Securities. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Debt Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Partnership by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of such Debt Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Partnership by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of such Debt Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of such Debt Security and (c) Debt Securities owned by the Partnership, a Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Partnership, of a Subsidiary Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Debt Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.12    Temporary Debt Securities. Until definitive Debt Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Partnership may prepare, and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Debt Securities. Temporary Debt Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Debt Securities, but may have variations that the Partnership considers appropriate for temporary Debt Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Partnership shall prepare, and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Debt Securities in exchange for temporary Debt Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debt Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities.

Section 2.13    Cancellation. The Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor at any time may deliver Debt Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Debt Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Debt Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee, and the Trustee shall maintain a record of their disposal. Certifications of the destruction of all canceled Debt Securities will be delivered to the Partnership upon written request. The Partnership may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.14    Payments; Defaulted Interest. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01, interest (except defaulted interest) on any Debt Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Persons who are registered Holders of that Debt Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding such Interest Payment Date,

 

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even if such Debt Securities are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender a Debt Security to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Partnership will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities in Dollars. Such amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee or any Paying Agent, provided that at the option of the Partnership, the Partnership may pay such amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by check payable in such money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Debt Securities. If the Partnership defaults in a payment of interest on the Debt Securities of any series, the Partnership shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in Section 4.01. The Partnership may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the Partnership, the Partnership (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Partnership upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Partnership setting forth such special record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall send to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.15    Persons Deemed Owners. The Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security is registered as the owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Debt Security and for all other purposes. None of the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 2.16    Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Debt Securities of any series, interest on the Debt Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

Section 2.17    Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions. If Debt Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (11) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Debt Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, transfers or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Debt Security or in a Partnership Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for such Debt Security, from such Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in such Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Debt Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Debt Security or in the applicable Partnership Order. With respect to the Debt Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors authorize the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to such Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Partnership Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Partnership with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Debt Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

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Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered Holder of a Global Security of a series may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder of Debt Securities of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Debt Securities of such series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, or any agent of the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Debt Security.

Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Debt Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Partnership that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Partnership within 90 days of such notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to such series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Debt Securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Security (in which case the Partnership shall deliver Debt Securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Partnership determines not to have the Debt Securities represented by a Global Security.

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Partnership Order for the authentication and delivery of Debt Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Debt Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

In connection with the transfer of all the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interests in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of authorized denominations.

Neither the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Debt Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such Debt Securities. Neither the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay

 

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by the related Global Security Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from such Global Security Holder or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued). Neither the Trustee nor any agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if such Global Security was never issued and sold by the Partnership and the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Debt Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

ARTICLE III.

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01    Applicability of Article. Debt Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Debt Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

Section 3.02    Notice to the Trustee. If the Partnership elects to redeem Debt Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Debt Securities of such series to be redeemed. The Partnership shall so notify the Trustee at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Debt Securities of such series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the sending of such notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

Section 3.03    Selection of Debt Securities To Be Redeemed. If less than all the Debt Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Debt Securities of such series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Debt Securities of such series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption, either pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and that may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Debt Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of such series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Partnership and the Registrar in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Debt Securities shall relate, in the case of any of the Debt Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount thereof which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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Section 3.04    Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed (or, when the Debt Securities are in the form of Global Securities, sent pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary) not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Debt Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder appearing in the register of Debt Securities maintained by the Registrar, except that notices of redemption may be sent more than 60 days prior to the Redemption date in connection with the defeasance of a series of Debt Securities or in connection with the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to a series of Debt Securities.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Debt Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1)    the Redemption Date;

(2)    the Redemption Price;

(3)    that, unless the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors default in making the redemption payment, interest on Debt Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Debt Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Debt Securities redeemed;

(4)    if any Debt Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender for cancellation of such Debt Security to the Paying Agent, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

(5)    that Debt Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(6)    that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if such is the case; and

(7)    the CUSIP number, if any, relating to such Debt Securities.

Notice of redemption of Debt Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Partnership shall be given by the Partnership or, at the Partnership’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Partnership.

Section 3.05    Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is sent, Debt Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Debt Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

Section 3.06    Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Partnership or such Subsidiary Guarantor is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Debt Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Debt Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee for cancellation.

If the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors default in the payment of such Redemption Price, interest on the Debt Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date,

 

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whether or not such Debt Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of such Debt Securities shall have no further rights with respect to such Debt Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of such Debt Securities. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Debt Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such Debt Securities’ yield to maturity.

Section 3.07    Debt Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Debt Security to be redeemed in part, the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge a new Debt Security or Debt Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

Section 3.08    Purchase of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor and any Affiliate of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor may, subject to applicable law, at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Debt Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Debt Securities. Any Debt Securities purchased or acquired by the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Debt Securities so delivered.

Section 3.09    Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Debt Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of such series and by this Article III.

Section 3.10    Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities. The Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor may deliver outstanding Debt Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Debt Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such series of Debt Securities; provided that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Debt Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.11    Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Partnership will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also

 

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deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee any Debt Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Partnership to timely deliver or cause to be delivered such Officers’ Certificate and Debt Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Partnership (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Partnership will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 3.11.

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Debt Securities) or a lesser sum if the Partnership shall so request with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Partnership makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Partnership in the manner provided in Section 3.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

ARTICLE IV.

COVENANTS

Section 4.01    Payment of Debt Securities. The Partnership shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Partnership, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Subsidiary) holds on that date money deposited by the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

The Partnership shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium (if any), at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Debt Securities to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amount (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02    Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Partnership will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Debt Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Debt Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the Debt Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Partnership by written notice to the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors, such office or agency shall be the office of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at One Penn Plaza, Suite 1414, New York, New York 10119, Attention: Corporate Trust Group. The Partnership will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or

 

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agency. If at any time the Partnership shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Partnership may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Debt Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Partnership of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Debt Securities of any series for such purposes. The Partnership will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

Section 4.03    SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a)    If the Partnership is subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Partnership shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Partnership is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, but not otherwise, the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a). If the Partnership is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Partnership shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it would have been required to file with the SEC, financial statements (and with respect to annual reports, an auditor’s report by a firm of established national reputation) and a Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both comparable to what it would have been required to file with the SEC had it been subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Partnership is required to furnish annual or quarterly reports to its equity holders pursuant to the Exchange Act, it shall file these reports with the Trustee. Any annual reports and the information, documents and other reports referred to above filed with the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor system) and available publicly shall be deemed to be filed with the Trustee, it being understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine if any such reports, documents or other information have been so filed or are so available. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Partnership’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.04).

(b)    If the Partnership is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Partnership shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.

(a)    The Partnership shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement signed by an Officer of the General Partner, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA Section 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of performance by the signing Officer of his or her duties as such Officer of the General Partner, he or she would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors of their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his or her knowledge the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors have observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Partnership is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

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(b)    The Partnership shall, so long as Debt Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Partnership is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05    Existence. Subject to Article V, each of the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.

Section 4.06    Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. Each of the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive it from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Debt Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 4.07    Additional Amounts. If the Debt Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Partnership will pay to the Holder of any Debt Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Debt Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Debt Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

ARTICLE V.

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01    Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations. The Partnership shall not, in any transaction or series of transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless:

(1)    the Person formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is either the Partnership or expressly assumes by supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Debt Securities and the performance of the Partnership’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities;

(2)    the Successor is organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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(3)    immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and

(4)    the Partnership, delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction and any such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

Section 5.02    Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger of the Partnership, or any sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.01, the Successor formed by such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Partnership under this Indenture and the Debt Securities with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Partnership herein and the predecessor Partnership shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release shall occur in the case of any lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership.

ARTICLE VI.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01    Events of Default. Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Debt Securities or in the form of Debt Security for such series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Debt Securities of any series, occurs if:

(1)    there is a default in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Debt Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(2)    there is a default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise;

(3)    there is a default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable;

(4)    there is a failure on the part of the Partnership, or if any series of Debt Securities outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Partnership, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental Indenture with respect to such series (other than a default in the performance of a covenant which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section 6.01), continuing for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure shall have been given to the Partnership, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Partnership, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time outstanding;

(5)    the Partnership, or if any series of Debt Securities outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A)    commences a voluntary case,

 

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(B)    consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C)    consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D)    makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(6)    a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days and that:

(A)    is for relief against the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor as debtor in an involuntary case,

(B)    appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or

(C)    orders the liquidation of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(7)    if any series of Debt Securities outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void or is found to be invalid in a judicial proceeding or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors (if applicable) denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(8)    any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series occurs.

The term “Bankruptcy Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by a Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the series of Debt Securities and this Indenture.

When a Default is cured, it ceases.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Debt Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Partnership or such Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Conversion Event”), each of the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Debt Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Partnership or the Subsidiary Guarantor making such payment, as the case may be, by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

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Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Partnership or the Subsidiary Guarantor making such payment, as the case may be, shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.

A Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Partnership, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected by such Default notify the Partnership and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Partnership or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, fails to cure the Default within 60 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.

Section 6.02    Acceleration. If an Event of Default with respect to any Debt Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Partnership, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Debt Securities of other series are affected by such Event of Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities so affected) by notice to the Partnership and the Trustee, may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare the principal of (or, if any such Debt Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, on and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Debt Securities of such series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on the Debt Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, such amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and if all existing Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that series have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

Section 6.03    Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Debt Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04    Waiver of Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of any series or of all series (acting as one class)

 

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by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Debt Securities of such series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Debt Securities of such series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Debt Securities of such series or all series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Debt Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05    Control by Majority. With respect to Debt Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of such series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with respect to Debt Securities of such series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

Section 6.06    Limitations on Suits. Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Debt Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Debt Securities of such series only if:

(1)    the Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series;

(2)    the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of such series have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3)    such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any cost, liability or expense;

(4)    the Trustee has not complied with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5)    during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with the request.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

Section 6.07    Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Debt Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Debt Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

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Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Debt Securities of the series affected by the Event of Default, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor or their respective creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders of the Debt Securities may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Debt Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10    Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Debt Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Debt Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and Third: to the Partnership.

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Partnership, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt

 

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Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor nor the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall it benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Debt Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 6.10 to Holders of Debt Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.

Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of any series.

ARTICLE VII.

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.

(a)    If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)    Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series:

(1)    the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2)    in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(c)    The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1)    this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

 

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(2)    the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3)    the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

(d)    Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e)    No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any cost, liability or expense.

(f)    The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities.

Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)    Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. In the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in reliance on such instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult at the Partnership’s expense with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c)    The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder, perform any duties hereunder or otherwise act through agents or attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d)    The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e)    Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the General Partner.

(f)    The Trustee shall not be obligated to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document.

(g)    The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

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(h)    The Trustee may request that the Partnership deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

Section 7.03    May Hold Debt Securities. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services for and otherwise deal with the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

Section 7.04    Trustees Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Debt Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Partnership’s use of the proceeds from the Debt Securities or any money paid to the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor or upon the Partnership’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Debt Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05    Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to Holders of Debt Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Debt Securities of such series.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default, except Events of Default under Section 6.01(1) or (2), unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee its Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the series of Debt Securities and this Indenture.

Section 7.06    Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each September 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall send to Holders of a series, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Partnership a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of such series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail (or, when the Debt Securities are Global Securities, sent pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary) all reports if and as required by TIA Sections 313(c) and 313(d).

A copy of each report at the time of its being sent to Holders of a series of Debt Securities shall be filed by the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Debt Securities of such series are listed. The Partnership shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Debt Securities is listed on any securities exchange.

Section 7.07    Compensation and Indemnity. The Partnership agrees to pay to the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder such compensation as the Partnership and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Partnership agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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The Partnership hereby indemnifies the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, except as set forth in the next following paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Partnership shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Partnership shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Partnership need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

The Partnership shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.

To secure the payment obligations of the Partnership in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Debt Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to particular Debt Securities of any series. Such lien and the Partnership’s obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.08    Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee, the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Partnership may remove the Trustee if:

(1)    the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(2)    the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3)    a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4)    the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Partnership shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Partnership.

 

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If a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series does not take office within 30 days after the retiring or removed Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring or removed Trustee (at the expense of the Partnership), the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

If the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Debt Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee, to the Partnership and to the Subsidiary Guarantors. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Debt Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee. Nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee. Upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. On request of the Partnership or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Such retiring Trustee shall, however, have the right to deduct its unpaid fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Partnership under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

Section 7.09    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however, that in the case of a transfer of all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to another corporation, the transferee corporation expressly assumes all of the Trustee’s liabilities hereunder.

 

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In case any Debt Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by federal or state (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

Section 7.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE VIII.

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01    Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article VIII relating to either the satisfaction and discharge or the defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.01 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 8.02    Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a)    If at any time the Partnership shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Partnership as provided in Section 8.05) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Partnership shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in the currency in which such Debt Securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01) sufficient to pay at Stated Maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Partnership shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums then due and payable hereunder by the Partnership with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the

 

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Partnership accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Partnership, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(b)    Subject to Sections 8.02(c), 8.03 and 8.07, the Partnership at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (x) any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.01, (y) Sections 6.01(4), (7) and (8) (except to the extent covenants or agreements referenced in Section 6.01(4) remain applicable) and (z) as they relate to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(5) and (6) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Partnership exercises either its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance obligation, each Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities and be automatically released and discharged and any security that may have been granted in respect of such series shall be automatically released. The Partnership may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Partnership exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Partnership exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(4), (7) and (8) and, with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(5) and (6) (except to the extent covenants or agreements referenced in Section 6.01(4) remain applicable). Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Partnership, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Partnership terminates.

(c)    Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Partnership’s obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.08, 2.09, 4.02, 4.07, 7.07, 8.05, 8.06 and 8.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Partnership’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.

Section 8.03    Conditions of Defeasance. The Partnership may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a)    the Partnership irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to Stated Maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b)    the Partnership delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to Stated Maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c)    91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Partnership occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d)    no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e)    the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Partnership;

 

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(f)    the Partnership delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(g)    in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Partnership shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Partnership has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

(h)    in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Partnership shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

(i)    the Partnership delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Partnership may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

Section 8.04    Application of Trust Money. Subject to Section 8.05, the Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series.

Section 8.05    Repayment to Partnership. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Partnership upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Partnership upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Partnership for payment as general creditors.

Section 8.06    Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Partnership shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 8.07    Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Partnership’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII.

 

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ARTICLE IX.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders. The Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Debt Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

(1)    to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(2)    to comply with Section 5.01;

(3)    to provide for uncertificated Debt Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Debt Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Debt Securities (with or without coupons);

(4)    to provide for the addition of any Subsidiary as a Subsidiary Guarantor, or to reflect the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor, in either case as provided in this Indenture;

(5)    to provide any security for any series of Debt Securities or the related Guarantees;

(6)    to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(7)    to add to the covenants of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(8)    to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Debt Securities (and, if any Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Debt Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

(9)    to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected by such change in or elimination of such provision;

(10)    to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

(11)    to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Debt Securities pursuant to Article VIII; provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series or any other series of Debt Securities in any material respect; or

(12)    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

 

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Upon the request of the Partnership, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders. Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Debt Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Debt Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Debt Securities of each such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplement.

Upon the request of the Partnership, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Debt Securities of one or more series or of all series may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of such series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Debt Securities of such series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Debt Securities of such series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Debt Securities of such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

(1)    reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2)    reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Debt Security;

(3)    reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Debt Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(4)    reduce the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed;

(5)    change any obligation of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Debt Security;

 

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(6)    change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Debt Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

(7)    impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

(8)    make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Debt Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02;

(9)    waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Debt Securities;

(10)    release any security that may have been granted in respect of any Debt Securities other than in accordance with this Indenture; or

(11)    release the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor other than in accordance with this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Debt Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Partnership or such Subsidiary Guarantor in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Partnership shall send to the Holders of each Debt Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Partnership to send such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.03    Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Debt Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04    Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Debt Security or portion of a Debt Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Debt Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Debt Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Debt Security or portion of a Debt Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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The Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with TIA Section 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Debt Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (10) of Section 9.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Debt Security.

Section 9.05    Notation on or Exchange of Debt Securities. If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Debt Security, the Partnership may require the Holder of the Debt Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Debt Security at the request of the Partnership regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Partnership so determines, the Partnership in exchange for the Debt Security shall issue, and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, a new Debt Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplement.

Section 9.06    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE X.

GUARANTEE

Section 10.01    Guarantee.

(a)    Notwithstanding any provision of this Article X to the contrary, the provisions of this Article X relating to the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.01, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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(b)    For value received, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Partnership, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Debt Securities and this Indenture, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10.03.

(c)    Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. The Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee (including the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor) or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Partnership or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.06, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against the Partnership or any other Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d)    The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Article X shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Partnership, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Partnership, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors from the performance or

 

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observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or (x) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

(e)    Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to it and (iii) covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to the Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f)    Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Partnership in respect of any amounts paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, provided, however, that such Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.

Section 10.02    Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of each Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee. If any Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

Section 10.03    Limitation on Liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.

 

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Section 10.04    Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee.

(a)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 10.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, any Guarantee incurred by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Article X shall be unconditionally released and discharged automatically upon (i) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Partnership, of all of the Partnership’s direct or indirect equity interests in such Subsidiary Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) the merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor into the Partnership or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture).

(b)    The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from the Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Partnership accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that the Subsidiary Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released remains liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on the Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of such Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 10.03.

Section 10.05    Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under its Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor (as applicable) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Partnership’s obligations with respect to the Debt Securities or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to its Guarantee.

ARTICLE XI.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01    Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 11.02    Notices. Any notice or communication by the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by

 

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first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile, email or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Partnership or the Subsidiary Guarantors:

Energy Transfer LP

8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600

Dallas, Texas 75225

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: (214) 981-0700

Facsimile: (214) 981-0701

If to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association

8 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100

Houston, Texas 77046-0892

Attn: Corporate Trust Services

Telephone: (713) 212.7576

Email: alejandro.hoyos@usbank.com

The Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder when the Debt Securities are not in global form as a Global Security shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication to a Holder when the Debt Securities are in global form as a Global Security shall be sent electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures the Depositary. Failure to send a notice or communication pursuant to the terms hereof to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is sent in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

If the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor mails or otherwise sends a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail or otherwise send a copy to the others and to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee, the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

Section 11.03    Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

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Section 11.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Partnership or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Partnership or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Partnership or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be:

(1)    an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2)    an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

Section 11.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

(1)    a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2)    a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3)    a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4)    a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 11.06    Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 11.07    Legal Holidays. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 11.08    Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction. THIS INDENTURE AND THE DEBT SECURITIES, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

THE PARTNERSHIP, THE TRUSTEE AND THE HOLDERS (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE DEBT SECURITIES) EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The Partnership, the Trustee and the Holders (by their acceptance of the Debt Securities) each hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 11.09    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Partnership, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

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Section 11.10    Successors. All agreements of the Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Debt Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 11.11    Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 11.12    Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto, and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 11.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 11.14     U.S Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this Indenture that they shall provide the Trustee with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

Section 11.15     Force Majeure. In no event shall any party hereto be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, epidemic or pandemic acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and malware or ransomware, interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

44


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

ISSUER:
ENERGY TRANSFER LP
By:   LE GP, LLC
  Its: General Partner
By:  

                     

Name:  
Title:  

 

Signature Page of Indenture


TRUSTEE:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

                                      

Name:  
Title:  

 

Signature Page of Indenture


ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Partnership.

The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]
By:  

                     

Name:  
Title:  
EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

   811 Main Street, Suite 3700
   Houston, TX 77002
   Tel: +1.713.546.5400 Fax: +1.713.546.5401
  

www.lw.com

 

  
LOGO    FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES
   Beijing    Moscow
   Boston    Munich
   Brussels    New York
   Century City    Orange County
   Chicago    Paris
June 1, 2021    Dubai    Riyadh
   Düsseldorf    San Diego
   Frankfurt    San Francisco
   Hamburg    Seoul
   Hong Kong    Shanghai
   Houston    Silicon Valley
   London    Singapore

Energy Transfer LP

   Los Angeles    Tokyo
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600    Madrid    Washington, D.C.
Dallas, Texas 75225    Milan   

 

  Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Energy Transfer LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), in connection with its filing on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The Registration Statement includes a base prospectus (the “Prospectus”), which provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

The Prospectus, as supplemented by one or more related Prospectus Supplements, will provide for the offering and sale of (i) one or more series of the Partnership’s debt securities (the “Debt Securities”) to be issued under an indenture to be entered into between the Partnership, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Base Indenture”), as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more supplemental indentures (as so amended or supplemented, the “Indenture”), (ii) common units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership (the “Common Units”) and (iii) preferred units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership (the “Preferred Units”). The Debt Securities, the Common Units and the Preferred Units are collectively referred to as the “Securities.”

This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the enforceability of the Debt Securities and the validity of the Common Units and Preferred Units.

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Partnership and others as to factual matters


June 1, 2021

Page 2

 

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without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the internal laws of the State of New York and, in numbered paragraphs 2 and 3, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “DRULPA”), and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction or, in the case of Delaware, any other laws, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof:

1.    When the Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Partnership and duly executed and delivered, and when the specific terms of a particular series of Debt Securities have been duly established in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Partnership, and such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any related Prospectus Supplement and such limited partnership action, such Debt Securities will be the legally valid and binding obligations of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with their terms.

2.    When an issuance of Common Units has been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Partnership, upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any related Prospectus Supplement and such limited partnership action, such Common Units will be validly issued and, under the DRULPA, purchasers of the Common Units will have no obligation to make further payments for their purchase of Common Units or contributions to the Partnership solely by reason of their ownership of Common Units or their status as limited partners of the Partnership, and no personal liability for the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being limited partners of the Partnership.

3.    When an issuance of Preferred Units has been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Partnership, upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any related Prospectus Supplement and such limited partnership action, such Preferred Units will be validly issued and, under the DRULPA, purchasers of the Preferred Units will have no obligation to make further payments for their purchase of Preferred Units or contributions to the Partnership solely by reason of their ownership of Preferred Units or their status as limited partners of the Partnership, and no personal liability for the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being limited partners of the Partnership.

Our opinions are subject to: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a


June 1, 2021

Page 3

 

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proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; and (iii) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy. We express no opinion as to (a) any provision for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty, (b) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, arbitration, remedies or judicial relief, (c) waivers of rights or defenses, (d) any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy, (e) any provision permitting, upon acceleration of any indebtedness (including, if applicable, any series of Debt Securities), collection of that portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon, (f) the creation, validity, attachment, perfection, or priority of any lien or security interest, (g) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights, (h) waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights, (i) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies, (j) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations, (k) grants of setoff rights, (l) proxies, powers and trusts, (m) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any right or property, (n) provisions purporting to make a guarantor primarily liable rather than as a surety, (o) provisions purporting to waive modifications of any guaranteed obligation to the extent such modification constitutes a novation, (p) any provision to the extent it requires that a claim with respect to a security denominated in other than U.S. dollars (or a judgment in respect of such a claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange at a particular date, to the extent applicable law otherwise provides, and (q) the severability, if invalid, of provisions to the foregoing effect.

With your consent, we have assumed (a) that the Indenture and the Debt Securities (collectively, the “Documents”) will be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, (b) that each of the Documents has been or will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (c) that each of the Documents constitutes or will constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto other than the Partnership, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, and (d) that the status of each of the Documents as legally valid and binding obligations of the parties will not be affected by any (i) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (ii) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, or (iii) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or to make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus under the heading “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP

EX-8.1

Exhibit 8.1

 

   811 Main Street, Suite 3700
   Houston, TX 77002
   Tel: +1.713.546.5400 Fax: +1.713.546.5401
   www.lw.com   
LOGO    FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES
   Beijing    Moscow
   Boston    Munich
   Brussels    New York
   Century City    Orange County
   Chicago    Paris
   Dubai    Riyadh
June 1, 2021    Düsseldorf    San Diego
   Frankfurt    San Francisco
   Hamburg    Seoul
   Hong Kong    Shanghai
   Houston    Silicon Valley
   London    Singapore
   Los Angeles    Tokyo
Energy Transfer LP    Madrid    Washington, D.C.
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600    Milan   
Dallas, Texas 75225      

 

  Re:

Energy Transfer LP

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special tax counsel to Energy Transfer, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Partnership under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), on June 1, 2021 (the “Registration Statement”) and the prospectus related thereto (the “Prospectus”), for the purpose of registering under the Act, among other securities, common units of the Partnership.

This opinion is based on various facts and assumptions, and is conditioned upon certain representations made by the Partnership as to factual matters through a certificate of an officer of the Partnership (the “Officer’s Certificate”). In addition, this opinion is based upon the factual representations of the Partnership concerning its business, properties and governing documents as set forth in the Partnership’s Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Partnership’s responses to our examinations and inquiries.

In our capacity as special tax counsel to the Partnership, we have, with your consent, made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and other instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures thereon, the legal capacity of natural persons executing such documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. For the purpose of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the above-referenced documents or in the Officer’s Certificate. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed the truth and accuracy of all representations and statements made to us that are qualified as to knowledge or belief, without regard to such qualification.

We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only of the federal income tax laws of the United States and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of other federal laws, foreign laws, the laws of any state or any other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state. No opinion is expressed as to any matter not discussed herein.


June 1, 2021

Page 2

 

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Based on such facts, assumptions and representations and subject to the limitations set forth herein and in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Officer’s Certificate, the statements in the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” insofar as such statements purport to constitute summaries of United States federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the matters described therein.

This opinion is rendered to you as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update this opinion subsequent to the date hereof. This opinion is based on various statutory provisions, regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Also, any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the representations described above, including in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Officer’s Certificate, may affect the conclusions stated herein.

This opinion is furnished to you, and is for your use in connection with the transactions set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or furnished to, assigned to, quoted to or relied upon by any other person, firm or other entity, for any purpose, without our prior written consent, except that this opinion may be relied upon by persons entitled to rely on it pursuant to applicable provisions of federal securities law.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our reports dated February 19, 2021 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of Energy Transfer LP included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned reports in this Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Dallas, Texas

June 1, 2021

EX-25.1

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

31-0841368

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

  55402
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Alejandro Hoyos

U.S. Bank National Association

8 Greenway Plz Ste 1100

Houston, Texas 77046-0892

(713) 212-7576

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

ENERGY TRANSFER LP

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

 

 

 

Delaware   30-0108820

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600

Dallas, TX

  75225
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 

 


FORM T-1

 

Item 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

 

  a)

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Washington, D.C.

 

  b)

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

 

Item 2.

AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

 

Items 3-15

Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

 

Item 16.

LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

 

  1.

A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.*

 

  2.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

 

  3.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.

 

  4.

A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.**

 

  5.

A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.

 

  6.

The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

 

  7.

Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2020 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 

*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005.

**

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to registration statement on form S-3ASR, Registration Number 333-199863 filed on November 5, 2014.

 

2


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Houston, State of Texas on the 1st of June, 2021.

 

By:  

/s/ Alejandro Hoyos

  Alejandro Hoyos
  Vice President

 

3


Exhibit 2

 

LOGO

 

4


Exhibit 3

 

LOGO

 

5


Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: June 1, 2021

 

By:  

/s/ Alejandro Hoyos

  Alejandro Hoyos
  Vice President

 

6


Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

As of 12/31/2020

($000’s)

 

     12/31/2020  

Assets

  

Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions

   $ 62,424,852  

Securities

     135,372,305  

Federal Funds

     149  

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

     299,153,643  

Fixed Assets

     7,454,095  

Intangible Assets

     12,786,750  

Other Assets

     27,582,366  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 544,774,160  

Liabilities

  

Deposits

   $ 442,835,836  

Fed Funds

     1,175,229  

Treasury Demand Notes

     0  

Trading Liabilities

     1,036,903  

Other Borrowed Money

     27,992,840  

Acceptances

     0  

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

     3,850,000  

Other Liabilities

     14,494,315  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 491,385,123  

Equity

  

Common and Preferred Stock

     18,200  

Surplus

     14,266,915  

Undivided Profits

     38,303,599  

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

     800,323  
  

 

 

 

Total Equity Capital

   $ 53,389,037  

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   $ 544,774,160  

 

7