e424b5
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class
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Maximum Aggregate
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Amount of
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of Securities to be Offered
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Offering Price
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Registration Fee(1)
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67/8% Senior
Notes due 2018
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$
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600,000,000
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$
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42,780
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(1) |
Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
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Filed Pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration no. 333-169901
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated
October 13, 2010)
$600,000,000
Regency Energy Partners
LP
Regency Energy Finance
Corp.
67/8% Senior
Notes due 2018
We are offering $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
senior notes due December 1, 2018 bearing interest at
6.875% per year. We will pay interest on the notes on June 1 and
December 1 of each year, beginning June 1, 2011. The notes
will mature on December 1, 2018.
We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time on or after
December 1, 2014 at the redemption prices set forth in this
prospectus supplement, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior
to December 1, 2013, we may redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the notes using the net cash
proceeds of certain offerings of our common units at the
redemption price set forth in this prospectus supplement, plus
accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, prior to
December 1, 2014, we may redeem the notes at a make
whole premium. If we undergo certain change of control
transactions we may be required to offer to purchase the notes
from holders.
The notes will be guaranteed on a senior basis by all of our
existing consolidated subsidiaries (except the co-issuer) and
certain of our future subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees
thereof will rank equally in right of payment with all of our
existing and future senior debt, including our outstanding
83/8% Senior
Notes due 2013 and our
93/8% Senior
Notes due 2016, and senior in right of payment to all of our
future subordinated debt. The notes will be effectively
subordinated to our and the guarantors existing and future
secured indebtedness, including our secured credit facility, to
the extent of the value of the assets securing the indebtedness,
and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and
obligations of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See Risk
Factors beginning on
page S-8
of this prospectus supplement.
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Underwriting
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Discounts and
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Proceeds to
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Price to Public (1)
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Commissions
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Us (1)
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Per Note
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100
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%
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1.75
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%
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98.25
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%
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Total
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$
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600,000,000
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$
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10,500,000
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$
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589,500,000
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(1) Before expenses and plus accrued interest, if any, from
October 27, 2010, if settlement occurs after that date.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other
regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities
or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The notes offered by this prospectus supplement will not be
listed on any securities exchange and there is no existing
trading market for the notes.
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes on or about
October 27, 2010, only in book-entry form through the
facilities of The Depository Trust Company.
Joint
Book Running Managers
Co-Managers
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Deutsche
Bank Securities |
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey |
The date of this prospectus
supplement is October 13, 2010.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Prospectus
Supplement
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Page
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S-1
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S-2
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S-8
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S-13
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S-14
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S-15
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S-16
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S-19
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S-68
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S-73
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S-75
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S-75
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S-75
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S-76
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S-76
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Prospectus
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16
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S-i
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus
supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering
of notes. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus,
some of which may not apply to this notes offering. Generally,
when we refer only to the prospectus, we are
referring to both parts combined. If the information about the
offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the information
in this prospectus supplement.
Any statement made in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying base prospectus or in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying base prospectus will be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any
other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by
reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
base prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except
as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus.
Please read Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference in this prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus
prepared by or on behalf of us relating to this offering of
notes. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to
provide you with additional or different information. If anyone
provides you with additional, different or inconsistent
information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell
the notes, and seeking offers to buy the notes, only in
jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should
not assume that the information contained in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any free writing
prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the dates shown
in these documents or that any information we have incorporated
by reference herein is accurate as of any date other than the
date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may
have changed since such dates.
S-1
SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
It does not contain all of the information you should consider
before making an investment decision. You should read the entire
prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the
documents incorporated by reference and the other documents to
which we refer for a more complete understanding of this
offering. Please read Risk Factors beginning on
page S-8
of this prospectus supplement and on page 4 of the accompanying
base prospectus for more information about important factors
that you should consider before buying notes in this
offering.
As used in this prospectus supplement, Regency Energy
Partners, the Partnership, we,
our, us or like terms mean Regency
Energy Partners LP and its subsidiaries. References to our
general partner refer to Regency GP LP, the general
partner of the Partnership, and its general partner, Regency GP
LLC, which effectively manages the business and affairs of the
Partnership, and references to Regency Finance refer
to Regency Energy Finance Corp.
Regency
Energy Partners LP
We are a growth-oriented publicly traded Delaware limited
partnership, engaged in the gathering, treating, processing,
compressing and transporting of natural gas and natural gas
liquids (NGLs). We focus on providing midstream
services in some of the most prolific natural gas producing
regions in the United States, including the Haynesville, Eagle
Ford, Barnett, Fayetteville and Marcellus Shales. Our systems
are located in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Pennsylvania,
Mississippi and Alabama and the mid-continent region of the
United States, which includes Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma.
We divide our operations into four business segments:
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Gathering and Processing. We provide
wellhead-to-market
services to producers of natural gas, which include transporting
raw natural gas from the wellhead through gathering systems,
processing raw natural gas to separate NGLs from the raw natural
gas and selling or delivering pipeline-quality natural gas and
NGLs to various markets and pipeline systems.
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Transportation. We own a 49.99% general
partner interest in RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co.
(HPC), which delivers natural gas from northwest
Louisiana to downstream pipelines and markets through the
450-mile
Regency Intrastate Gas pipeline system. We also recently
acquired a 49.9% interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC
(Midcontinent Express), a joint venture entity
owning a natural gas pipeline with approximately 500 miles
of pipeline stretching from southeast Oklahoma through northeast
Texas, northern Louisiana and central Mississippi to an
interconnect with the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line system in
Butler, Alabama.
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Contract Services. We provide turn-key natural
gas compression services whereby we guarantee our customers 98%
mechanical availability of our compression units for land
installations and 96% mechanical availability for over-water
installations. We also provide a full range of field services,
including gas cooling, dehydration, JT plant leasing and sulfur
treating services through the recently acquired Zephyr Gas
Services, LP.
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Corporate and Others. Our corporate and others
segment comprises regulated entities and our corporate offices.
Revenues in this segment include the collection of the partial
reimbursement of general and administrative costs from HPC.
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S-2
Partnership
Structure and Management
Our operations are conducted through, and our operating assets
are owned by, our subsidiaries. We own our interests in our
operating subsidiaries through an operating partnership, Regency
Gas Services LP. Regency GP LP, our general partner, has direct
responsibility for conducting our business and for managing our
operations. Because our general partner is a limited
partnership, its general partner, Regency GP LLC, is ultimately
responsible for the business and operations of Regency GP LP,
and conducts our business and operations, and the board of
directors and officers of Regency GP LLC make decisions on our
behalf.
Regency Finance, our wholly owned subsidiary, has no material
assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of our debt
securities, including the notes and our existing senior notes.
Its activities are limited to co-issuing our debt securities and
engaging in other activities incidental thereto.
Debt
Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation
On October 13, 2010, we commenced a cash tender offer for any
and all of the $357,500,000 aggregate principal amount of our
83/8% Senior
Notes due 2013, which were jointly issued by us and Regency
Finance (the 2013 Notes), and a related solicitation
of consents (together, the Offer) to certain
proposed amendments to the indenture governing the 2013 Notes
(the Consents).
The Offer will expire at 8:00 a.m., New York City time, on
November 10, 2010, unless extended or earlier terminated (such
time and date, as the same may be extended or earlier
terminated, the Expiration Date). Holders who
validly tender their 2013 Notes and provide their Consent prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 26, 2010,
unless extended (such time and date, as the same may be
extended, the Consent Payment Deadline), will be
entitled to receive the total consideration of $1,047.50,
payable in cash for each $1,000 principal amount of 2013 Notes
accepted for payment, which includes a consent payment of $30.00
per $1,000 principal amount of 2013 Notes accepted for payment.
The Offer contemplates an early settlement option, so that
holders whose 2013 Notes are validly tendered prior to the
Consent Payment Deadline and accepted for purchase could receive
payment as early as October 27, 2010 (the Initial Payment
Date). Holders who validly tender their 2013 Notes after
the Consent Payment Deadline, but on or prior to the Expiration
Date will receive $1,017.50 for each $1,000 principal amount of
2013 Notes accepted for purchase, which amount is equal to the
total consideration less the consent payment. Accrued and unpaid
interest, up to, but not including, the applicable settlement
date will be paid in cash on all validly tendered and accepted
2013 Notes. The settlement date with respect to all 2013 Notes
not settled at the Initial Payment Date is expected to be
November 11, 2010, or promptly thereafter.
The Offer is being made on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent
Solicitation Statement dated October 13, 2010, relating to the
tender offer (the Statement). The Offer is being
made solely pursuant to, and is governed by, the Statement.
Holders tendering their 2013 Notes will be deemed to have
delivered their Consent to certain proposed amendments to the
indenture governing the 2013 Notes, which will eliminate certain
covenants and certain provisions relating to events of default.
Following receipt of Consents of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2013 Notes,
Regency and Regency Finance will execute a supplemental
indenture effecting the proposed amendments.
The closing of the Offer will be subject to a number of
conditions that are set forth in the Statement, including,
(i) the receipt of the required Consents to amend and
supplement the indenture governing the 2013 Notes and the
execution by the applicable parties of the supplemental
indenture effecting such amendments, and (ii) the
successful completion by Regency of a new senior debt offering.
The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum amount of 2013 Notes
being tendered. 2013 Notes validly tendered and Consents validly
delivered may not be withdrawn on or following the date of the
execution of the supplemental indenture except as may be
required by law. We currently anticipate that we will call for
redemption any 2013 Notes not
S-3
purchased in the Offer and will satisfy and discharge the
indenture governing the 2013 Notes (the 2013 Notes
Indenture) in compliance with the terms of the 2013 Notes,
the 2013 Notes Indenture and applicable law; provided, however,
that we may elect not to redeem such 2013 Notes or satisfy and
discharge the 2013 Notes Indenture. The completion of this notes
offering is not conditioned upon the completion of the Offer.
In connection with the Offer, Regency has retained BofA Merrill
Lynch as the dealer manager. The Offer, including related fees
and expenses, and the issuance of the notes offered hereby,
including related fees and expenses, are sometimes herein
referred to as the Transactions.
We cannot assure you that the Offer will be consummated in
accordance with its terms, or at all, or that a significant
principal amount of the 2013 Notes will be retired and cancelled
pursuant to the tender offer. For a discussion of the terms of
the 2013 Notes, see Description of Other
Indebtedness and the notes to the financial statements
incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Other
Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 2001 Bryan
Street, Suite 3700, Dallas, Texas 75201, and our telephone
number is
(214) 750-1771.
Our internet address is www.regencyenergy.com. Our periodic
reports and other information filed with or furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) are
available, free of charge, through our website, at
www.regencyenergy.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after
those reports and other information are electronically filed
with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any
other website is not incorporated by reference into this
prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
S-4
The
Offering
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Issuers |
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Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Energy Finance Corp. |
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Notes Offered |
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$600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
67/8% Senior
Notes due 2018. |
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Interest |
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6.875% per year. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually
on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning June 1,
2011. |
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Maturity |
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December 1, 2018. |
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Guarantees |
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The notes will be guaranteed on a senior basis by all of our
existing consolidated subsidiaries (except the co-issuer) and
certain of our future subsidiaries. |
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Ranking |
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The notes and the guarantees will be unsecured and will rank
equally with all of our and our guarantors existing and
future unsubordinated obligations, including our existing senior
notes. The notes and the guarantees will be senior in right of
payment to any of our and our guarantors future
obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in
right of payment to the notes and the guarantees. The notes and
the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to our and the
guarantors secured obligations, including our revolving
credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral
securing such obligations, and structurally subordinated to all
indebtedness and obligations of our subsidiaries that do not
guarantee the notes. |
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As of June 30, 2010, after giving effect to (1) the
pro forma adjustments reflecting several recent transactions as
set forth under Capitalization and (2) this
offering and the application of the estimated net proceeds
therefrom as set forth under Use of Proceeds, we and
the guarantors would have had approximately $1.0 billion in
principal amount of senior indebtedness outstanding (including
the notes offered hereby), of which approximately
$156.5 million would have effectively ranked senior to the
notes, by virtue of being secured. At the closing of this
offering, we expect to have approximately $726.5 million of
available capacity under our revolving credit facility. |
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Optional Redemption |
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We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after December 1, 2014, at the redemption prices described
in this prospectus supplement under the heading
Description of the NotesOptional Redemption,
plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. |
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At any time before December 1, 2014, we may redeem some or
all of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount plus a make-whole premium, plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the redemption date. |
S-5
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At any time before December 1, 2013, we may redeem up to
35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued under
the indenture with the net cash proceeds of one or more
qualified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to
106.875% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed,
plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date;
provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal
amount of the notes remains outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of such redemption and (ii) such redemption
occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of any
such qualified equity offering. |
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Change of Control |
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Upon the occurrence of a change of control event, which
occurrence is followed by a rating decline within 90 days
of the consummation of the transaction, we must offer to
repurchase the notes at 101% of the principal amount of the
notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date
of repurchase. Rating decline is defined as a decrease in the
rating of the notes by both Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
(Moodys) and Standard & Poors
Ratings Services (Standard & Poors)
by one or more gradations of the notes which occurs within
90 days of the consummation of the transaction. See
Description of the NotesRepurchase at the Option of
HoldersChange of Control. We may not have enough
funds available at the time of a change of control to make any
required debt payment (including repurchases of the notes). |
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Our ability to purchase the notes upon a change of control will
be limited by the terms of our debt agreements, including our
revolving credit facility. We cannot assure you that we will
have the financial resources to purchase the notes in such
circumstances. |
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Covenants |
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The indenture will contain covenants that, among other things,
will limit our ability and the ability of certain of our
subsidiaries to: |
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incur additional indebtedness;
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pay distributions on, or
repurchase or redeem our equity interests;
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make certain investments;
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incur liens;
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enter into certain types of
transactions with our affiliates; and
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sell assets or consolidate or
merge with or into other companies.
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These and other covenants that will be contained in the
indenture are subject to important exceptions and
qualifications, which are described under Description of
the NotesCertain Covenants. |
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If the notes achieve investment grade ratings by both
Moodys and Standard & Poors and no default
or event of default has occurred |
S-6
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and is continuing under the indenture, we and our restricted
subsidiaries will no longer be subject to many of the foregoing
covenants. See Description of the NotesCertain
CovenantsTermination of Covenants. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses, to us from the sale
of the notes offered hereby will be approximately
$588.6 million, which we will use to repurchase our
outstanding 2013 Notes and make the related consent payment in
the concurrent Offer, repay approximately $214.1 million
under our revolving credit facility and to pay fees and expenses
associated with the Offer. See Use of Proceeds. |
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Risk Factors |
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You should read Risk Factors beginning on
page S-8
of this prospectus supplement, on page 4 of the
accompanying base prospectus and as found in the documents
incorporated herein by reference, as well as the other
cautionary statements throughout this prospectus supplement, to
ensure you understand the risks associated with an investment in
the notes. |
S-7
RISK
FACTORS
An investment in the notes involves risk. You should
carefully consider the following risk factors, together with the
risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2009, and in our Quarterly
Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, together with all of
the other information included or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and
the documents we have incorporated by reference into this
prospectus in evaluating an investment in the notes. If any of
the described risks actually were to occur, our business,
financial condition or results of operations could be affected
materially and adversely.
Risks
Relating to the Notes
We have a
holding company structure in which our subsidiaries conduct our
operations and own our operating assets. Additionally, we are
not able to control the amounts of cash that HPC or Midcontinent
Express may distribute to us.
We are a holding company, and our subsidiaries conduct all of
our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no
significant assets other than the partnership interests and the
equity in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make
required payments on the notes depends on the performance of our
subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. The
ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us may be
restricted by, among other things, our revolving credit facility
and applicable state partnership laws and other laws and
regulations. Pursuant to our revolving credit facility, we may
be required to establish cash reserves for the future repayment
of outstanding letters of credit under our revolving credit
facility. If we are unable to obtain the funds necessary to pay
the principal amount of the notes at maturity, we may be
required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as a
refinancing of the notes. We cannot assure you that we would be
able to refinance the notes.
Additionally, the ability of our 49.99%-owned unconsolidated
subsidiary, HPC, and our 49.9%-owned unconsolidated subsidiary,
Midcontinent Express, to make distributions to us may be
restricted by, among other things, the terms of each such
entitys partnership or limited liability company
agreement, as applicable, and any debt instruments entered into
by such entity as well as applicable state partnership or
limited liability company laws, as applicable, and other laws
and regulations. Specifically, the management committee of HPC
is entitled to determine the amount of cash that is distributed
to its partners, which includes a determination of what cash
reserves are necessary for the operation of the business of HPC.
The management committee consists of four members. Each partner
of HPC has appointed one management committee member, and each
member has a vote equal to the sharing ratio of the partner that
appointed such member. Cash distributions to us by HPC require
the approval of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by
the management committee members. Additionally, under
Midcontinent Express limited liability company agreement,
Midcontinent Express is required to make monthly distributions
to its members of all available cash. The amount of available
cash is determined by Midcontinent Express board of
directors which consists of three members, one appointed by each
member of Midcontinent Express. Decisions relating to available
cash require the approval of directors appointed by members
collectively holding 65% or more of the membership interests at
the time such action is taken. Accordingly, we are not able to
control the amounts of cash that HPC or Midcontinent Express may
distribute to us.
Your
right to receive payments on the notes and the guarantees is
unsecured and will be effectively subordinated to our existing
and future secured indebtedness.
The notes are effectively subordinated to claims of our secured
creditors and the guarantees are effectively subordinated to the
claims of our secured creditors as well as the secured creditors
of our subsidiary guarantors. As of June 30, 2010, after
giving effect to (1) the pro forma adjustments reflecting
several recent transactions as set forth under
Capitalization, and (2) this offering and
the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom as set
forth under Use of Proceeds, we and the guarantors
would have had
S-8
secured borrowings of approximately $156.5 million under
our revolving credit facility and approximately
$726.5 million of available capacity under our revolving
credit facility.
Not all
of our subsidiaries will initially guarantee the notes. Your
right to receive payments on the notes could be adversely
affected if any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries declares
bankruptcy, liquidates or reorganizes.
Although substantially all of our consolidated subsidiaries will
initially guarantee the notes, in the future, under certain
circumstances, the guarantees are subject to release, and we
have subsidiaries that will not guarantee the notes initially,
including HPC and Midcontinent Express, which we account for as
unconsolidated subsidiaries for financial accounting purposes
but which do not qualify as a Subsidiary for
purposes of the indenture for the notes. Hence, the notes will
be effectively subordinated to the claims of all creditors,
including unsecured indebtedness, trade creditors and tort
claimants, of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors. In the
event of the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation,
reorganization, dissolution or winding up of the business of a
subsidiary that is not a guarantor, creditors of that subsidiary
would generally have the right to be paid in full before any
distribution is made to us or the holders of the notes.
We do not
have the same flexibility as other types of organizations to
accumulate cash, which may limit cash available to service the
notes or to repay them at maturity.
Unlike a corporation, our partnership agreement requires us to
distribute, on a quarterly basis, all of our available cash to
our unitholders of record and our general partner subject to the
limitations on restricted payments in the indentures governing
our existing senior notes and our revolving credit facility.
Available cash is generally all of our cash receipts adjusted
for cash distributions and net changes to reserves. Our general
partner will determine the amount and timing of such
distributions and has broad discretion to establish and make
additions to our reserves or the reserves of our operating
partnership in amounts the general partner determines in its
reasonable discretion to be necessary or appropriate:
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to provide for the proper conduct of our business and the
businesses of our operating partnership (including reserves for
future capital expenditures and for our anticipated future
credit needs),
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to provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and the
general partner for any one or more of the next four calendar
quarters, or
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to comply with applicable law or any of our loan or other
agreements, including the indentures governing the notes and
existing senior notes and our revolving credit facility.
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Although our payment obligations to our unitholders are
subordinate to our payment obligations to you, the value of our
units decrease in correlation with decreases in the amount we
distribute per unit. Accordingly, if we experience a liquidity
problem in the future, we may not be able to issue equity to
recapitalize.
Our
leverage may limit our ability to borrow additional funds,
comply with the terms of our indebtedness or capitalize on
business opportunities.
Our leverage is significant in relation to our partners
capital. As of June 30, 2010, our total outstanding
long-term debt was approximately $1.3 billion. See
Capitalization. We will be prohibited from making
cash distributions during an event of default under any of our
indebtedness. Various limitations in our revolving credit
facility, as well as the indentures for the notes and existing
senior notes, may reduce our ability to incur additional debt,
to engage in some transactions and to capitalize on business
opportunities. Any subsequent refinancing of our current
indebtedness or any new indebtedness could have similar or
greater restrictions.
S-9
Our leverage could have important consequences to investors in
the notes. We will require substantial cash flow to meet our
principal and interest obligations with respect to the notes and
our other indebtedness. Our ability to make scheduled payments,
to refinance our obligations with respect to our indebtedness or
our ability to obtain additional financing in the future will
depend on our financial and operating performance, which, in
turn, is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to
financial, business and other factors. We believe that we will
have sufficient cash flow from operations and available
borrowings under our revolving credit facility to service our
indebtedness, although the principal amount of the notes will
likely need to be refinanced at maturity in whole or in part.
However, a significant downturn in our business and the
midstream sector of the natural gas industry or other
development adversely affecting our cash flow could materially
impair our ability to service our indebtedness. If our cash flow
and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service
obligations, we may be forced to refinance all or a portion of
our debt or sell assets. We cannot assure you that we would be
able to refinance our existing indebtedness or sell assets on
terms that are commercially reasonable.
Our leverage may adversely affect our ability to fund future
working capital, capital expenditures and other general
partnership requirements, future acquisition, construction or
development activities, or to otherwise fully realize the value
of our assets and opportunities because of the need to dedicate
a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to
payments on our indebtedness or to comply with any restrictive
terms of our indebtedness. Our leverage may also make our
results of operations more susceptible to adverse economic and
industry conditions by limiting our flexibility in planning for,
or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in
which we operate and may place us at a competitive disadvantage
as compared to our competitors that have less debt.
A court
may use fraudulent conveyance considerations to avoid or
subordinate the subsidiary guarantees.
Various applicable fraudulent conveyance laws have been enacted
for the protection of creditors. A court may use fraudulent
conveyance laws to subordinate or avoid the subsidiary
guarantees of the notes issued by any of our subsidiary
guarantors. It is also possible that under certain circumstances
a court could hold that the direct obligations of a subsidiary
guaranteeing the notes could be superior to the obligations
under that guarantee.
A court could avoid or subordinate the guarantee of the notes by
any of our subsidiaries in favor of that subsidiarys other
debts or liabilities to the extent that the court determined
either of the following were true at the time the subsidiary
issued the guarantee:
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that subsidiary incurred the guarantee with the intent to
hinder, delay or defraud any of its present or future creditors
or that subsidiary contemplated insolvency with a design to
favor one or more creditors to the total or partial exclusion of
others; or
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that subsidiary did not receive fair consideration or reasonably
equivalent value for issuing the guarantee and, at the time it
issued the guarantee, that subsidiary:
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was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of
the guarantee;
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was engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for
which the remaining assets of that subsidiary constituted
unreasonably small capital; or
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intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay such debts as they matured.
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The measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing will
vary depending upon the law of the relevant jurisdiction.
Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent for
purposes of the foregoing if the sum of its debts, including
contingent liabilities, were greater than the fair saleable
value of all of its
S-10
assets at a fair valuation, or if the present fair saleable
value of its assets were less than the amount that would be
required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts,
including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and
matured.
Among other things, a legal challenge of a subsidiarys
guarantee of the notes on fraudulent conveyance grounds may
focus on the benefits, if any, realized by that subsidiary as a
result of our issuance of the notes. To the extent a
subsidiarys guarantee of the notes is avoided as a result
of fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable for any other
reason, the note holders would cease to have any claim in
respect of that guarantee and the notes would be structurally
subordinated to all liabilities of that subsidiary.
Our
reimbursement of our general partners expenses and our
payment of certain fees to an affiliate of Energy Transfer
Equity, L.P. under a services agreement will reduce our cash
available for debt service.
We will reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for all
expenses they incur on our behalf. These expenses will include
all costs incurred by our general partner and its affiliates in
managing and operating us, including costs for rendering
corporate staff and support services to us. In addition, we are
a party to a services agreement with ETE Services Company, LLC
(ETE Services), an affiliate of Energy Transfer
Equity, L.P., pursuant to which ETE Services provides certain
general and administrative services to us and our partner. The
reimbursement of expenses of our general partner and its
affiliates and our payments under the services agreement with
ETE Services will reduce our cash available for debt service.
Your
ability to transfer the notes may be limited by the absence of a
trading market.
The notes will be new securities for which currently there is no
trading market. We do not currently intend to apply for listing
of the notes on any securities exchange. Although the
underwriters have informed us that they currently intend to make
a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so. In
addition, the underwriters may discontinue any such
market-making at any time without notice. The liquidity of any
market for the notes will depend on the number of holders of the
notes, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in
the notes and other factors. Accordingly, we cannot assure you
as to the development or liquidity of any market for the notes.
Increases
in interest rates, which have recently experienced record lows,
could adversely impact our unit price and our ability to issue
additional equity, make acquisitions, reduce debt or for other
purposes.
In recent years, the credit markets have experienced
50-year
record lows in interest rates. If the overall economy should
begin to strengthen, monetary policy may tighten, resulting in
higher interest rates to counter possible inflation. Following
consummation of this offering of notes, the interest rate on all
of the notes will be fixed and the rate on loans outstanding
under our revolving credit facility will bear interest at a
floating rate. Additionally, interest rates on future credit
facilities and debt offerings could be higher than current
levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. As
with other yield-oriented securities, the market price for our
units will be affected by the level of our cash distributions
and implied distribution yield. The distribution yield is often
used by investors to compare and rank yield-oriented securities
for investment decision-making purposes. Therefore, changes in
interest rates, either positive or negative, may affect the
yield requirements of investors who invest in our units, and a
rising interest rate environment could have an adverse effect on
our unit price and our ability to issue additional equity, in
order to make acquisitions, to reduce debt or for other purposes.
We may
not have the ability to raise funds necessary to finance any
change of control offer required under the indenture.
If a change of control (as defined in the indenture) occurs, we
will be required to offer to purchase your notes at 101% of
their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
date of purchase. If a purchase offer obligation arises under
the indenture governing the notes, a change of control could
also have
S-11
occurred under our other debt, including our revolving credit
facility, which could result in the acceleration of the
indebtedness outstanding thereunder. Any of our future debt
agreements may contain similar restrictions and provisions. If a
purchase offer were required under the indenture, we may not
have sufficient funds to pay the purchase price of all debt,
including your notes, that we are required to purchase or repay.
Many of
the covenants in the indenture will terminate if the notes are
rated investment grade by both Moodys and
Standard & Poors.
Many of the covenants in the indenture governing the notes will
no longer apply to us if the notes are rated investment grade by
both Moodys and Standard & Poors, provided
at such time no default or event of default has occurred and is
continuing. These covenants will restrict, among other things,
our ability to pay distributions, incur debt and to enter into
certain other transactions. There can be no assurance that the
notes will ever be rated investment grade, or that if they are
rated investment grade, that the notes will maintain these
ratings. However, termination of these covenants would allow us
to engage in certain transactions that would not be permitted
while these covenants were in force. See Description of
the NotesCertain CovenantsTermination of
Covenants.
Risks
Relating to Our Business
We may
incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of pipeline
integrity management program testing and any related pipeline
repair, or preventative or remedial measures, as well as any
future legislative and regulatory initiatives related to
pipeline safety.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has
adopted regulations requiring pipeline operators to develop
integrity management programs for transportation pipelines and
certain gathering lines located where a leak or rupture could do
the most harm in high consequence areas. The
regulations require operators to:
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perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity;
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identify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline
segments that could impact a high consequence area;
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improve data collection, integration and analysis;
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repair and remediate the pipeline as necessary; and
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implement preventive and mitigating actions.
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We currently estimate that we will incur costs of $604,000 in
2010 to implement pipeline integrity management program testing
along certain segments of our pipelines, as required by existing
DOT regulations. This estimate does not include the costs, if
any, for repair, remediation, preventive or mitigating actions
that may be determined to be necessary as a result of the
testing program, which could be substantial.
Legislation recently passed by the U.S. House of
Representatives increases penalties for pipeline safety
violations, reduces reporting periods and provides for review
and possibly revocation of exemptions for gathering systems from
regulation by the DOTs Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration, among other matters. The Senate has not
acted on this bill and may not do so in the current session of
Congress. In addition, members of Congress have introduced other
legislation on pipeline safety and the DOT has announced a
review of its safety rules and its intention to strengthen those
rules. We cannot predict the outcome of these legislative and
regulatory initiatives, but legislative and regulatory changes
could have a material effect on our operations and could subject
us to more comprehensive and more stringent safety regulation
and greater penalties for violations of safety rules.
S-12
USE OF
PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering,
after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses, will be approximately
$588.6 million. We intend to finance the Offer with the net
proceeds from the offering.
Assuming that $357.5 million of the 2013 Notes are
tendered, we estimate that we will use the net proceeds of this
offering to fund the purchase amount of the Offer (including
estimated premiums, expenses and accrued interest). To the
extent the net proceeds from this offering exceed the purchase
price for the amount of 2013 Notes tendered in the Offer and the
related consent payment, we intend to use the balance to repay
amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility and to
pay fees and expenses associated with the Offer.
As of October 11, 2010, a principal amount of $357.5
million of 2013 Notes were outstanding, which mature on
December 15, 2013. We currently anticipate that we will
call for redemption any 2013 Notes not purchased in the Offer
and will satisfy and discharge the 2013 Notes Indenture in
compliance with the terms of the 2013 Notes, the 2013 Notes
Indenture and applicable law; provided, however, that we may
elect not to redeem such 2013 Notes or satisfy and discharge the
2013 Notes Indenture.
As of October 11, 2010, an aggregate of approximately
$400.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under our
revolving credit facility. The weighted average interest rate on
the total amount outstanding at October 11, 2010 was 3.03%.
Our revolving credit facility matures in June 2014. We use
revolving credit loans to fund capital expenditures and working
capital requirements.
The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions
with and perform services for us and our affiliates in the
ordinary course of their business. Affiliates of certain
underwriters are lenders under our revolving credit facility
and, as such, will receive a portion of the proceeds from this
offering from the repayment of borrowings under such facility.
Please read Underwriting in this prospectus
supplement.
S-13
CAPITALIZATION
The following table shows our capitalization as of June 30,
2010 on:
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a consolidated historical basis;
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a pro forma adjusted basis to reflect the following recent
transactions as if they occurred on June 30, 2010:
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our sale of our gathering and processing assets located in east
Texas for proceeds of $70 million, which were used to repay
borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility;
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our public offering of 17,537,500 common units resulting in net
proceeds of approximately $400 million, which were used to
repay borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit
facility; and
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our purchase of Zephyr Gas Services, LP for $185 million,
which amount was funded by borrowings under our revolving credit
facility; and
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as adjusted to reflect the Transactions. See Use of
Proceeds.
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You should read our financial statements and notes thereto that
are incorporated by reference into this prospectus for
additional information regarding our capitalization.
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As of June 30, 2010
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Pro Forma
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As Adjusted for the
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Actual
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Adjusted
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Transactions (1)
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(in millions)
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$4.3
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$4.3
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$4.3
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Total long-term debt:
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Revolving credit facility (2)
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655.6
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370.6
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156.5
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Senior notes due 2013
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364.5
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364.5
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Senior notes due 2016
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256.5
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256.5
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256.5
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Notes offered hereby
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600.0
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Total debt
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$1,276.6
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$991.6
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$1,013.0
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Series A convertible redeemable preferred units
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70.9
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70.9
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70.9
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Partners capital:
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Common units
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2,659.9
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3,059.9
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3,049.9
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General partner interest
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335.2
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335.2
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335.2
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Noncontrolling interest
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31.5
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31.5
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31.5
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Total partners capital
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$3,026.6
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$3,426.6
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$3,416.6
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Total capitalization
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$4,374.1
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$4,489.1
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$4,500.5
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(1) |
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Assumes that $357.5 million of the 2013 Notes are tendered
and purchased in the Offer at an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $374.5 million, including fees and expenses
related to the Offer and accrued interest. The actual amounts of
2013 Notes tendered and purchased may be less. We anticipate
that we will call for redemption any 2013 Notes not purchased in
the Offer and will satisfy and discharge the indenture pursuant
to the 2013 Notes in compliance with the terms of the 2013
Notes, the 2013 Notes Indenture and applicable law; provided,
however, that we may elect not to redeem the 2013 Notes or
satisfy and discharge the 2013 Notes Indenture. |
(2) |
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As of October 11, 2010, the outstanding indebtedness under our
revolving credit facility totaled $400.0 million. |
S-14
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The table below sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed
charges for us for each of the periods indicated.
For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of income from continuing operations
before adjustment for equity income from equity method investees
plus fixed charges, amortization of capitalized interest and
distributed income from investees accounted for under the equity
method. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and
capitalized and an estimated interest component of
rent expense.
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Successor
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Predecessor
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Period from
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Period from
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May 26, 2010
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January 1, 2010
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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to June 30,
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to May 25,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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2010
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges (1)
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2.71
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2.49
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Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by
$13.1 million and $8.7 million for the period from
May 26, 2010 to June 30, 2010 and the period from
January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010, respectively, and by
$14.2 million, $8.2 million and $14.5 million for
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. |
S-15
DESCRIPTION
OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Revolving
Credit Facility
We maintain our revolving credit facility through our
subsidiary, Regency Gas Services LP (RGS). Our
revolving credit facility has aggregate revolving commitments of
$900,000,000, with $200,000,000 of availability for letters of
credit. We have the option to request an additional $250,000,000
in revolving commitments with ten business days written notice,
provided that no event of default has occurred or would result
due to such increase and all other additional conditions for the
increase of the commitments set forth in our revolving credit
facility have been met. The maturity date of our revolving
credit facility is June 15, 2014; however, the maturity
date will be accelerated to June 15, 2013 if the 2013 Notes
have not been redeemed or refinanced by that date. Obligations
under the revolving credit facility are secured by substantially
all of our assets and are guaranteed by us and substantially all
of our subsidiaries.
Interest on loans will be calculated using either an alternate
base rate or a LIBOR-based rate. The alternate base rate used to
calculate interest on base rate loans will be calculated based
on the greatest to occur of a base rate, a federal funds
effective rate plus 0.50% and an adjusted one-month LIBOR rate
plus 1.00%. The applicable margin shall range from 1.50% to
2.25% for base rate loans, 2.50% to 3.25% for LIBOR-based loans,
and a commitment fee will range from 0.375% to 0.500%, in each
case based upon our consolidated leverage ratio. We must also
pay a participation fee for each revolving lender participating
in letters of credit based upon the applicable margin, which is
currently 3.0% of the average daily amount of such lenders
letter of credit exposure, and a fronting fee to the issuing
bank of letters of credit equal to 0.125% per annum of the
average daily amount of the letter of credit exposure. At
October 11, 2010, there were $400.0 million of borrowings
outstanding and there were outstanding letters of credit
totaling $16.0 million under our revolving credit facility.
The revolving credit facility contains the following financial
covenants:
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our consolidated total leverage ratio for any preceding four
fiscal quarter period, as defined in the revolving credit
facility, must not exceed 5.25 to 1;
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our interest coverage ratio for any preceding four fiscal
quarter period, as defined in the revolving credit facility,
must not be less than 2.75 to 1; and
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our consolidated senior secured leverage ratio for any preceding
four fiscal quarter period, as defined in the revolving credit
facility, must not exceed 3.00 to 1.
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On May 26, 2010, in connection with our acquisition of
49.9% of the membership interests in Midcontinent Express, we
amended the revolving credit facility to permit such acquisition
and to include the results of operations of Midcontinent Express
in the calculation of our compliance with these financial
covenants.
The revolving credit facility also contains various covenants
that limit, among other things, RGS and the
guarantors ability to:
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incur indebtedness;
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grant liens;
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enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
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make certain investments, loans and advances;
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S-16
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dissolve or enter into a merger or consolidation;
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enter into asset sales or make acquisitions;
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enter into transactions with affiliates;
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prepay other indebtedness or amend organizational documents or
transaction documents (as defined in the revolving credit
facility);
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issue capital stock or create subsidiaries; or
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engage in any business other than those businesses in which they
were engaged at the time of the effectiveness of the revolving
credit facility or reasonable extensions thereof.
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Existing
Senior Notes
In May 2009, we issued $250,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount of our
93/8% senior
notes in a private placement that mature on June 1, 2016
(the 2016 Notes). The 2016 Notes bear interest at
9.375% with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1
and December 1. The 2016 Notes are guaranteed by certain of
our subsidiaries.
At any time prior to June 1, 2012, up to 35% of the 2016
Notes can be redeemed at a price of 109.375% plus accrued
interest. At any time prior to June 1, 2013, we may also
redeem all or part of the 2016 Notes at a price equal to 100% of
the principal amount of the 2016 Notes redeemed plus accrued
interest and the applicable premium, which equals the greater of
(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes
redeemed; or (2) the excess of the present value at such
redemption date of (i) the redemption price at June 1,
2013 plus (ii) all required interest payments due through
June 1, 2013, computed using a discount rate equal to the
treasury rate (as defined in the indenture governing the 2016
Notes) as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points,
over the principal amount of the 2016 Notes redeemed. Beginning
June 1, 2013, we may redeem all or part of the 2016 Notes
for the principal amount plus a declining premium until
June 1, 2015, and thereafter at par, plus accrued and
unpaid interest.
In December 2006, we issued $550,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount of our 2013 Notes in a private placement that mature on
December 15, 2013. The 2013 Notes bear interest at 8.375%
with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15
and December 15. The 2013 Notes are guaranteed by certain
of our subsidiaries.
In August 2007, we exercised our option to redeem 35%, or
$192,500,000, of the 2013 Notes at a price of 108.375% of the
principal amount plus accrued interest. At any time prior to
December 15, 2010, we may redeem all or part of the 2013
Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the
2013 Notes redeemed plus accrued interest and the applicable
premium, which equals the greater of (1) 1.0% of the
principal amount of the 2013 Notes redeemed or (2) the
excess of the present value at such redemption date of
(i) the redemption price at December 15, 2010 plus
(ii) all required interest payments due on the 2013 Notes
redeemed through December 15, 2010, computed using a
discount rate equal to the treasury rate (as defined in the
indenture governing the 2013 Notes) as of such redemption date
plus 50 basis points, over the principal amount of the 2013
Notes redeemed. Beginning December 15, 2010, we may redeem
all or part of the 2013 Notes for the principal amount plus a
premium declining ratably to par and accrued and unpaid interest
and liquidated damages, if any, to the redemption date.
Upon a change of control followed by a ratings downgrade within
90 days of the change of control, each noteholder of our
existing senior notes will be entitled to require us to purchase
all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price of 101% plus
accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any.
S-17
The existing senior notes contain various covenants that limit,
among other things, our ability, and the ability of certain of
our subsidiaries, to:
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incur additional indebtedness;
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pay distributions on, or repurchase or redeem our equity
interests;
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make certain investments;
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incur liens;
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enter into certain types of transactions with
affiliates; and
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sell assets, consolidate or merge with or into other companies.
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If the existing senior notes achieve investment grade ratings by
both Moodys and Standard & Poors and no
default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, we
will no longer be subject to many of the foregoing covenants. At
June 30, 2010, we were in compliance with these covenants.
Guarantee
of Midcontinent Express Credit Facility
In connection with our acquisition of membership interests in
Midcontinent Express, we have agreed to indemnify Energy
Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP) for any costs related
to ETPs guaranty of payments under Midcontinent
Express senior revolving credit facility (the MEP
Facility). ETP has guaranteed 50% of the obligations of
Midcontinent Express under the MEP Facility, and Kinder Morgan
Energy Partners, L.P. (KMP) has guaranteed the
remaining 50% of the obligations. ETP will continue to guarantee
the obligations through the maturity of the facility in February
2011.
S-18
DESCRIPTION
OF THE NOTES
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this
description under the subheading Certain
Definitions. In this description, the term Regency
Energy Partners refers only to Regency Energy Partners LP
and not to any of its subsidiaries, the term Finance
Corp. refers to Regency Energy Finance Corp. and the term
Issuers refers to Regency Energy Partners and
Finance Corp.
The Issuers will issue the notes under an indenture (the
Indenture) among themselves, the Guarantors and
U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The terms of
the notes will include those stated in the Indenture and those
made part of the Indenture by reference to the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
The following description is a summary of the material
provisions of the Indenture. It does not restate the Indenture
in its entirety. We urge you to read the Indenture because it,
and not this description, defines your rights as holders of the
notes. A copy of the Indenture is available as set forth below
under Additional Information. Certain defined
terms used in this description but not defined below under
Certain Definitions have the meanings assigned
to them in the Indenture.
The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for
all purposes. Only registered holders will have rights under the
Indenture.
General
The
Notes.
The notes
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will be general unsecured obligations of the Issuers;
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will be pari passu in right of payment with all existing
and future senior Indebtedness of the Issuers, including their
outstanding
83/8% Senior
Notes due 2013 and
93/8% Senior
Notes due 2016;
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will be senior in right of payment to any future subordinated
Indebtedness of the Issuers; and
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will be unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors.
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The notes will, however, be effectively subordinated to all
secured Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, which is
secured by substantially all of the assets of Regency Energy
Partners and the Guarantors, to the extent of the value of the
collateral securing that Indebtedness. See Risk
Factors Risks Relating to the NotesYour right
to receive payments on the notes and the guarantees is unsecured
and will be effectively subordinated to our existing and future
secured indebtedness.
The Note
Guarantees.
Each guarantee of the notes:
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will be a general unsecured obligation of the Guarantor;
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will be pari passu in right of payment with all existing
and future senior Indebtedness of that Guarantor, including its
guarantee of the Issuers outstanding
83/8% Senior
Notes due 2013 and
93/8% Senior
Notes due 2016; and
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will be senior in right of payment to any future subordinated
Indebtedness of that Guarantor.
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S-19
The note guarantees will, however, be effectively subordinate to
all secured Indebtedness of the Guarantors, including their
guarantees of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, to the
extent of the value of the collateral securing those guarantees.
As of June 30, 2010, after giving effect to (1) the
pro forma adjustments reflecting several recent transactions as
set forth under Capitalization, and (2) this
offering and the use of proceeds thereof, Regency Energy
Partners and its Subsidiaries would have had $156.5 million
of secured indebtedness outstanding and $726.5 million of
available capacity under the Credit Agreement. See Risk
FactorsRisks Relating to the NotesYour right to
receive payments on the notes and the guarantees is unsecured
and will be effectively subordinated to our existing and future
secured indebtedness.
On the Closing Date, all our Subsidiaries will guarantee the
notes, with the exception of Finance Corp., which is the
co-issuer of the notes and the
83/8%
Senior Notes due 2013 and the
93/8%
Senior Notes due 2016. The notes will also be guaranteed by any
of our future Restricted Subsidiaries that guarantee
Indebtedness of an Issuer or a Guarantor or by our Domestic
Subsidiaries that incur Indebtedness under a Credit Facility. In
the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any
of our non- guaranteeing Subsidiaries, such Subsidiaries will
pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before
they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us.
As of the date of the Indenture, all of our Subsidiaries will be
Restricted Subsidiaries. Under the circumstances
described below under the caption Certain
CovenantsDesignation of Restricted and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries, however, we will be permitted to designate
certain of our existing and future Subsidiaries as
Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Our Unrestricted
Subsidiaries will not be subject to the restrictive covenants in
the Indenture. Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not guarantee
the notes.
We own a 49.99% general partner interest in HPC, and we account
for HPC as an unconsolidated subsidiary for financial accounting
purposes. However, HPC will not be classified as a
Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture, and
therefore it will not be subject to the restrictive covenants in
the Indenture nor will it guarantee the notes. As of
June 30, 2010, HPC had total assets of $1.1 billion
and partners capital of $1.1 billion.
We own a 49.9 percent non-operated ownership interest in
MEP, and we account for MEP as an unconsolidated subsidiary for
financial accounting purposes. However, MEP will not be
classified as a Subsidiary for purposes of the
Indenture, and therefore it will not be subject to the
restrictive covenants in the Indenture nor will it guarantee the
notes. As of June 30, 2010, MEP had total assets of
$2.3 billion and members capital of $1.4 billion.
Finance
Corp.
Finance Corp. is a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that was formed in 2006
for the purpose of facilitating the offering of our senior notes
by acting as co- issuer. Finance Corp. is nominally capitalized
and has no operations or revenues other than as may be
incidental to its activities as a co-issuer of our senior notes.
As a result, prospective purchasers of the notes should not
expect Finance Corp. to participate in servicing the interest
and principal obligations on the notes. Finance Corp. is also
the co-issuer of the
83/8%
Senior Notes due 2013 and the
93/8%
Senior Notes due 2016. See Certain
CovenantsBusiness Activities.
Principal,
Maturity and Interest
The Issuers will issue $600.0 million in aggregate
principal amount of notes in this offering. The Issuers may
issue additional notes under the Indenture from time to time
after this offering. Any issuance of additional notes is subject
to all the covenants in the Indenture, including the covenant
described below under the caption Certain
CovenantsIncurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Equity. The notes and any additional notes
subsequently issued under the Indenture will be treated as a
single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including
waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase, and any
S-20
such additional notes will be fungible with the original notes
to the extent set forth in the applicable offering
documentation. The Issuers will issue notes in denominations of
$2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The
notes will mature on December 1, 2018.
Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 6.875% per
annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and
December 1, commencing on June 1, 2011. Interest on
overdue principal and interest will accrue at the interest rate
on the notes. The Issuers will make each interest payment to the
holders of record on the immediately preceding May 15 and
November 15.
Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of original
issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it
was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve
30-day
months.
Methods
of Receiving Payments on the Notes
If a holder of notes has given wire transfer instructions to
Regency Energy Partners, the Issuers will pay all principal,
interest and premium, if any, on that holders notes in
accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the
notes will be made at the office or agency of the paying agent
and registrar unless the Issuers elect to make interest payments
by check mailed to the noteholders at their addresses set forth
in the register of holders.
Paying
Agent and Registrar for the Notes
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar.
The Issuers may change the paying agent or registrar without
prior notice to the holders of the notes, and Regency Energy
Partners, Finance Corp. or any of Regency Energy Partners
other Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
Transfer
and Exchange
A holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture. The registrar and the trustee may
require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a
transfer of notes. Holders will be required to pay all taxes due
on transfer. The Issuers will not be required to transfer or
exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Issuers
will not be required to transfer or exchange any note for a
period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be
redeemed.
Note
Guarantees
The notes will be initially guaranteed by each of Regency Energy
Partners current Subsidiaries, except Finance Corp. The
notes will also be guaranteed by any of Regency Energy
Partners future Restricted Subsidiaries under the
circumstances described under Certain
CovenantsAdditional Guarantees. These Note
Guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the
Guarantors. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Note
Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Note
Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under
applicable law. See Risk FactorsRisks Relating to
the NotesA court may use fraudulent conveyance
considerations to avoid or subordinate the subsidiary
guarantees.
S-21
A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate
with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the
surviving Person), another Person, other than Regency Energy
Partners or another Guarantor, unless:
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(1)
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immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default
or Event of Default exists; and
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(2)
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either:
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(a)
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the Person acquiring the assets in any such sale or other
disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) assumes
all the obligations of that Guarantor under the Indenture and
its Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture
substantially in the form specified in the Indenture; or
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(b)
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the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied
in accordance with the Asset Sales provisions of the
Indenture.
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The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:
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(1)
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in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor
(including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that
is not (either before or after giving effect to such
transaction) Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary
of Regency Energy Partners, if the sale or other disposition
does not violate the Asset Sale provisions of the
Indenture;
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(2)
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in connection with any sale or other disposition of all the
Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not (either
before or after giving effect to such transaction) Regency
Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy
Partners, if the sale or other disposition does not violate the
Asset Sale provisions of the Indenture;
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(3)
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if Regency Energy Partners designates any Restricted Subsidiary
that is a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;
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(4)
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at such time as the Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other
Indebtedness of an Issuer or another Guarantor, provided that,
if it is also a Domestic Subsidiary, it is then no longer an
obligor with respect to any Indebtedness under any Credit
Facility; provided, however, that if, at any time following such
release, that Guarantor incurs a Guarantee under a Credit
Facility, then such Guarantor shall be required to provide a
Note Guarantee at such time; or
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(5)
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upon legal or covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge
of the Indenture as provided below under the captions
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance and
Satisfaction and Discharge.
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See Repurchase at the Option of HoldersAsset
Sales.
Optional
Redemption
Except pursuant to the next three paragraphs of this section
relating to optional redemption, or as described below in the
last paragraph under Repurchase at the Option of
HoldersChange of Control, the notes will not be
redeemable at the Issuers option.
At any time prior to December 1, 2013 the Issuers may on
any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount of notes issued on the date of the Indenture at
a redemption price of 106.875% of the principal amount, plus
accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to
the
S-22
right of holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or
prior to the redemption date), with the net cash proceeds of one
or more Equity Offerings by Regency Energy Partners; provided
that:
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(1)
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at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
(including any additional notes) issued under the Indenture
(excluding notes held by Regency Energy Partners and its
Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of such redemption; and
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(2)
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the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the
closing of such Equity Offering.
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On or after December 1, 2014, the Issuers may redeem all or
a part of the notes at the redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued
and unpaid interest on the notes redeemed, to, but excluding,
the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the
twelve-month period beginning on of each year indicated below,
subject to the rights of holders of notes on the relevant record
date to receive interest on an interest payment date that is on
or prior to the redemption date:
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Year
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Percentage
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2014
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103.438
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%
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2015
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101.719
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%
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2016
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100.000
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%
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At any time prior to December 1, 2014, the Issuers may also
redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount of notes redeemed plus the
Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to,
but excluding, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of
holders of notes on the relevant record date to receive interest
due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the
redemption date.
Unless the Issuers default in the payment of the redemption
price, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions
thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.
Selection
and Notice
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time,
the trustee will select notes for redemption as follows:
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(1)
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if the notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in
compliance with the requirements of the principal national
securities exchange on which the notes are listed; or
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(2)
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if the notes are not listed on any national securities exchange,
on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the
trustee deems fair.
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No notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of
redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but
not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each
holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except
that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days
prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection
with a defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge
of the Indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of
the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new
note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
original note will be issued in the name of the holder of notes
upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for
redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and
after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or
portions of notes called for redemption.
S-23
Mandatory
Redemption
The Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or
sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.
Repurchase
at the Option of Holders
Change of
Control.
If a Change of Control occurs, Regency Energy Partners will make
an offer to each holder of notes to repurchase all or any part
(equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess
thereof) of that holders notes pursuant to the offer
described below (the Change of Control Offer) on the
terms set forth in the Indenture. In the Change of Control
Offer, Regency Energy Partners will offer a payment in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes
repurchased to, but excluding, the date of purchase (the
Change of Control Payment), subject to the rights of
holders of notes on the relevant record date to receive interest
due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the
purchase date. Within 30 days following any Change of
Control, Regency Energy Partners will mail a notice to each
holder describing the transaction or transactions that
constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase
notes on the Change of Control Payment Date
specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 20
business days and no later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the
Indenture and described in such notice. In making the Change of
Control Offer, Regency Energy Partners will comply with all
applicable requirements of
Rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act and other securities laws and
regulations. To the extent that the provisions of any securities
laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control
provisions of the Indenture, Regency Energy Partners will comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not
be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of
Control provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such compliance.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, Regency Energy Partners
will, to the extent lawful:
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(1)
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accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly
tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
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(2)
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deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of
Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes
properly tendered; and
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(3)
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deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes
properly accepted together with an officers certificate
stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of
notes being purchased by Regency Energy Partners.
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The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of notes
properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes
(or, to the extent the notes are in global form, make such
payment through the facilities of DTC), and the trustee will
promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by
book entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount
to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered; provided,
that each new note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Regency Energy
Partners will publicly announce the results of the Change of
Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of
Control Payment Date.
These provisions relating to a Change of Control Offer will be
applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture
are applicable. Except with respect to a Change of Control, the
Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of
the notes to require that either of the Issuers repurchase or
redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or
similar transaction.
S-24
Regency Energy Partners will not be required to make a Change of
Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party
makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times
and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in
the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by
Regency Energy Partners and purchases all notes properly
tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer or
(2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to the
Indenture as described above under the caption
Optional Redemption, unless and until there is
a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the
Indenture, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a
Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such
Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the
Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is
made.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating
to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the
properties or assets of Regency Energy Partners and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body
of case law interpreting the phrase substantially
all, there is no precise established definition of the
phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a
holder of notes to require Regency Energy Partners to repurchase
its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition of less than all of the assets of Regency
Energy Partners and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another
Person or group may be uncertain.
In the event that holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding notes accept a Change of
Control Offer and Regency Energy Partners purchases all of the
notes held by such holders, Regency Energy Partners will have
the right, upon not less than 15 nor more than
60 days prior notice, given not more than
30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of
Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the notes that
remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but
excluding, the date of redemption, subject to the right of the
holders of notes on the relevant record date to receive interest
due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the
redemption date.
Asset
Sales
Regency Energy Partners will not consummate, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate, an Asset Sale
unless:
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(1)
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Regency Energy Partners (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset
Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or
Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;
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(2)
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such fair market value is determined by the Board of Directors
of the General Partner if the value is $15.0 million or
more, as evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors of
the General Partner; and
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(3)
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at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received by Regency
Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Asset
Sale and all other Asset Sales since the 2013 Notes Issue Date
is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this
provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
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(a)
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any liabilities, as shown on Regency Energy Partners most
recent consolidated balance sheet, of Regency Energy Partners or
any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and
liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or
any Note Guarantees) that are assumed by the transferee of any
such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that
releases Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary
from further liability; and
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S-25
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(b)
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any securities, notes or other obligations received by Regency
Energy Partners or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such
transferee that are within 90 days after the Asset Sale
(subject to ordinary settlement periods), converted by Regency
Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash
Equivalents, to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents
received in that conversion.
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Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from
an Asset Sale, Regency Energy Partners (or the applicable
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply such Net
Proceeds:
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(1)
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to repay Senior Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners
and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries (or to make an offer to repurchase or
redeem such Indebtedness, provided that such repurchase or
redemption closes within 45 days after the end of such
360-day
period) with a permanent reduction in availability for any
revolving credit Indebtedness;
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(2)
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to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any
Capital Stock of, another Permitted Business, if, after giving
effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted
Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy
Partners;
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(3)
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to make a capital expenditure; or
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(4)
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to acquire other assets that are not classified as current
assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted
Business.
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Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, Regency
Energy Partners or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary may
temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise
invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by
the Indenture.
Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or
invested as provided in the second paragraph of this covenant
will constitute Excess Proceeds. When the aggregate
amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, within
five days thereof, Regency Energy Partners will make an offer
(an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders of notes and
all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with
the notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in
the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with
the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum
principal amount of notes and such other pari passu
Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess
Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal
to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and
unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of purchase, subject
to the rights of holders of notes on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or
prior to the purchase date, and will be payable in cash. If any
Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale
Offer, Regency Energy Partners may use those Excess Proceeds for
any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the
aggregate principal amount of notes and other pari passu
Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the
amount of Excess Proceeds, then notes and such other pari
passu Indebtedness will be purchased on a pro rata basis.
Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess
Proceeds will be reset at zero.
In making an Asset Sale Offer, Regency Energy Partners will
comply with the applicable requirements of
Rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act and other securities laws and
regulations. To the extent that the provisions of any securities
laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of
the Indenture, Regency Energy Partners will comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be
deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale
provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such compliance.
The agreements governing Regency Energy Partners other
Indebtedness contain, and future agreements governing Regency
Energy Partners Indebtedness may contain, prohibitions of
certain events, including events that would constitute a Change
of Control or an Asset Sale and including repurchases of or
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other prepayments in respect of the notes. The exercise by the
holders of notes of their right to require Regency Energy
Partners to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control or an
Asset Sale could cause a default under these other agreements,
even if the Change of Control or Asset Sale itself does not, due
to the financial effect of such repurchases on Regency Energy
Partners or other circumstances. If a Change of Control or Asset
Sale occurs at a time when Regency Energy Partners is prohibited
from purchasing notes, Regency Energy Partners could seek the
consent of the lenders or counterparties under those agreements
or could attempt to repay or refinance such borrowings. If
Regency Energy Partners does not obtain an appropriate consent
or repay those borrowings, Regency Energy Partners will remain
prohibited from purchasing notes. In that case, Regency Energy
Partners failure to purchase tendered notes would
constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture which could,
in all likelihood, constitute a default under the other
indebtedness Finally, Regency Energy Partners ability to
pay cash to the holders of notes upon a repurchase may be
limited by Regency Energy Partners then existing financial
resources. See Risk FactorsRisks Relating to the
NotesWe may not have the ability to raise funds necessary
to finance any change of control offer required under the
indenture.
Certain
Covenants
Termination
of Covenants.
If at any time the notes achieve an Investment Grade Rating from
both of the Rating Agencies and no Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is then continuing under the Indenture, Regency
Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer
be subject to the following provisions of the Indenture:
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(1)
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Repurchase at the Option of HoldersAsset
Sales;
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(2)
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Restricted Payments;
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(3)
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Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Equity;
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(4)
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Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries;
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(5)
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Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries;
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(6)
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Transactions with Affiliates;
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(7)
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Business Activities;
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(8)
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clause (4) of the covenant described below under the
caption Merger, Consolidation or Sale of
Assets; and
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(9)
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Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
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There can be no assurance that the notes will ever achieve or
maintain an Investment Grade Rating. After the foregoing
covenants have been terminated, the Issuers may not designate
any of their Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant
to the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Restricted
Payments.
Regency Energy Partners will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
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(1)
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declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or
distribution on account of its outstanding Equity Interests
(including any payment in connection with any merger or
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S-27
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consolidation involving Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of
Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries Equity Interests in their capacity as such
(other than distributions or dividends payable in Equity
Interests, excluding Disqualified Equity, of Regency Energy
Partners and other than distributions or dividends payable to
Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary);
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(2)
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purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value
(including in connection with any merger or consolidation
involving Regency Energy Partners) any Equity Interests of
Regency Energy Partners or any direct or indirect parent of
Regency Energy Partners;
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(3)
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make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem,
defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor that is
contractually subordinated to the notes or to any Note Guarantee
(excluding intercompany Indebtedness between or among Regency
Energy Partners and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except
a payment of interest or principal within one month of its
Stated Maturity; or
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(4)
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make any Restricted Investment
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(all such payments and other actions set forth in these
clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively
referred to as Restricted Payments), unless, at the
time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, no
Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of
such Restricted Payment and either:
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(1)
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if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for Regency Energy
Partners most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for
which internal financial statements are available at the time of
such Restricted Payment is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, such
Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all
other Restricted Payments made by Regency Energy Partners and
its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments
permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4) (to the extent, in the case
of clause (4), payments are made to Regency Energy Partners or a
Restricted Subsidiary), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of the
next succeeding paragraph) during the quarter in which such
Restricted Payment is made, is less than the sum, without
duplication, of:
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(a)
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Available Cash from Operating Surplus as of the end of the
immediately preceding quarter; plus
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(b)
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100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by Regency
Energy Partners (including the Fair Market Value of any
Permitted Business or long-term assets that are used or useful
in a Permitted Business to the extent acquired in consideration
of Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners (other than
Disqualified Equity)) since the 2013 Notes Issue Date as a
contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or
sale of Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners (other than
Disqualified Equity) or from the issue or sale of convertible or
exchangeable Disqualified Equity or convertible or exchangeable
debt securities of Regency Energy Partners that have been
converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other
than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Equity or debt
securities) sold to a Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners);
plus
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(c)
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to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after
the 2013 Notes Issue Date is sold for cash or Cash Equivalents
or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash or Cash Equivalents,
the return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment
(less the cost of disposition, if any); plus
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(d)
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the net reduction in Restricted Investments resulting from
dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers
of assets in each case to Regency Energy Partners or any of its
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S-28
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Restricted Subsidiaries from any Person (including Unrestricted
Subsidiaries) or from redesignations of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent such
amounts have not been included in Available Cash from Operating
Surplus for any period commencing on or after the 2013 Notes
Issue Date (items (b), (c) and (d) being referred to
as Incremental Funds); minus
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(e)
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the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds previously expended
pursuant to this clause (1) and clause (2)
below; or
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(2)
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if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for Regency Energy
Partners most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for
which internal financial statements are available at the time of
such Restricted Payment is less than 1.75 to 1.0, such
Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all
other Restricted Payments made by Regency Energy Partners and
its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments
permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4) (to the extent, in the case
of clause (4), payments are made to Regency Energy Partners or a
Restricted Subsidiary), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of the
next succeeding paragraph) during the quarter in which such
Restricted Payment is made (such Restricted Payments for
purposes of this clause (2) meaning only distributions on
common units and subordinated units of Regency Energy Partners,
plus the related distribution on the general partner interest),
is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
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(a)
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$100.0 million less the aggregate amount of all prior
Restricted Payments made by Regency Energy Partners and its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause 2(a) during
the period since the 2013 Notes Issue Date; plus
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(b)
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Incremental Funds to the extent not previously expended pursuant
to this clause (2) or clause (1) above.
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The preceding provisions will not prohibit:
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(1)
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the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days
after the date of its declaration, if at the date of declaration
the payment would have complied with the provisions of the
Indenture;
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(2)
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the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of Regency Energy
Partners or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of Regency
Energy Partners in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds
of, a substantially concurrent (a) capital contribution to
Regency Energy Partners from any Person (other than a Restricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners) or (b) sale (other
than to a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners) of
Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners, with a sale being
deemed substantially concurrent if such redemption, repurchase,
retirement, defeasance or other acquisition occurs not more than
120 days after such sale; provided that the amount of any
such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such
redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition will be excluded or deducted from the calculation of
Available Cash from Operating Surplus and Incremental Funds;
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(3)
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the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or
retirement of any subordinated Indebtedness of Regency Energy
Partners or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an
incurrence of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness;
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(4)
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the payment of any distribution or dividend by a Restricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners to the holders of its
Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity) on a pro rata
basis;
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(5)
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so long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) has occurred
and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the repurchase,
redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any
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S-29
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Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners held by any current or
former officer, director or employee of the General Partner,
Regency Energy Partners or any of Regency Energy Partners
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription
agreement or plan, stock or unit option agreement,
shareholders agreement or similar agreement; provided that
the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed,
acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed
$2.0 million in any calendar year (with unused amounts in
any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar
years subject to a maximum of $5.0 million in any calendar
year); provided further that such amount in any calendar year
may be increased by an amount not to exceed (a) the cash
proceeds received by Regency Energy Partners from the sale of
Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners to members of
management or directors of the General Partner, Regency Energy
Partners or its Restricted Subsidiaries that occurs after the
2013 Notes Issue Date (to the extent the cash proceeds from the
sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to
the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of
sections 1(b) or 2(b) of the preceding paragraph), plus
(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies
received by Regency Energy Partners after the 2013 Notes Issue
Date;
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(6)
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so long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) has occurred
and is continuing or would be caused thereby, payments of
dividends on Disqualified Equity issued pursuant to the covenant
described under Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Equity;
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(7)
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repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise of
stock options, warrants or other convertible securities if such
Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price of such
options, warrants or other convertible securities; or
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(8)
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cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in
connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other
securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of
Regency Energy Partners.
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The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be
the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of
the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued
by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market
Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued
by this covenant will be determined in the case of amounts over
$15.0 million, by the Board of Directors of the General
Partner, whose resolution with respect thereto shall be
delivered to the trustee. For the purposes of determining
compliance with this Restricted Payments covenant,
if a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of
the categories of Restricted Payments described in the preceding
clauses (1)(8), Regency Energy Partners will be permitted
to classify (or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole
discretion) such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies
with this covenant.
Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity.
Regency Energy Partners will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create,
incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or
indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to
(collectively, incur) any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Debt), and Regency Energy Partners will not issue any
Disqualified Equity and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to issue any Disqualified Equity; provided,
however, that Regency Energy Partners and any Restricted
Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and
Regency Energy Partners and the Restricted Subsidiaries may
issue Disqualified Equity, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
for Regency Energy Partners most recently ended four full
fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are
available immediately preceding the date on which such
additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Equity
is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.0 to
1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma
S-30
application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional
Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Equity had
been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such
four-quarter period.
The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the
incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness
(collectively, Permitted Debt) or the issuance of
any preferred securities described in clause (11) below:
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(1)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners and any Restricted
Subsidiary of additional Indebtedness (including letters of
credit) under one or more Credit Facilities, provided that,
after giving effect to such incurrence, the aggregate principal
amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (1) (with
letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal
to the maximum potential liability of Regency Energy Partners
and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) and then outstanding
does not exceed the greater of (a) $900.0 million and
(b) the sum of $500.0 million and 20.0% of Regency
Energy Partners Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;
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(2)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
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(3)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners, Finance Corp. and the
Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the notes and the
related Note Guarantees to be issued on the date of the
Indenture;
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(4)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital
Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money
obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing
all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or
improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business
of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or
discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4),
provided that after giving effect to such incurrence the
aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant
to this clause (4) and then outstanding does not exceed the
greater of (a) $20.0 million and (b) 2.0% of
Regency Energy Partners Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;
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(5)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in
exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew,
refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge, any
Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was
permitted by the Indenture to be incurred under the first
paragraph of this covenant or clauses (2) or (3) of
this paragraph or this clause (5);
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(6)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or
among Regency Energy Partners and any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:
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(a)
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if Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor is the obligor on
such Indebtedness and the payee is not Regency Energy Partners
or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated
to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due
with respect to the notes, in the case of Regency Energy
Partners, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a
Guarantor; and
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(b)
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(i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests
that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person
other than Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of
Regency Energy Partners and (ii) any sale or other transfer
of any such
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S-31
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Indebtedness to a Person that is not either Regency Energy
Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners,
will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of
such Indebtedness by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this
clause (6);
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(7)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations;
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(8)
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the guarantee by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of Regency Energy
Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners
that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this
covenant; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is
subordinated to or pari passu with the notes, then the
Guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as
applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;
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(9)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations relating to net gas
balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business
and consistent with past practice;
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(10)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Acquired Debt in connection with a
transaction meeting either one of the financial tests set forth
in clause (4) under the caption Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets;
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(11)
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the issuance by any of Regency Energy Partners Restricted
Subsidiaries to Regency Energy Partners or to any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of any preferred securities; provided,
however, that:
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(a)
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any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that
results in any such preferred securities being held by a Person
other than Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of
Regency Energy Partners; and
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(b)
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any sale or other transfer of any such preferred securities to a
Person that is not either Regency Energy Partners or a
Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners will be deemed,
in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred
securities by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted
by this clause (11); and
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(12)
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the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness; provided
that, after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate
principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this
clause (12) and then outstanding does not exceed the
greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of
Regency Energy Partners Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
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Regency Energy Partners will not incur, and will not permit
Finance Corp. or any Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness
(including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in
right of payment to any other Indebtedness of Regency Energy
Partners, Finance Corp. or such Guarantor unless such
Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of
payment to the notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on
substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no
Indebtedness of a Person will be deemed to be contractually
subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of
such Person solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of
being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.
For purposes of determining compliance with this
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Equity covenant, if an item of proposed
Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the
categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through
(12) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the
first paragraph of this covenant, Regency Energy Partners will
be permitted to classify such item of
S-32
Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify
all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner
that complies with this covenant. Indebtedness under Credit
Facilities outstanding on the date on which notes are first
issued and authenticated under the Indenture will initially be
deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the
exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of
Permitted Debt. The accrual of interest, the accretion or
amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest
on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with
the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as
Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the
payment of dividends on Disqualified Equity in the form of
additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Equity will
not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance
of Disqualified Equity for purposes of this covenant; provided,
however, in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual,
accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of Regency
Energy Partners as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that
Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur
pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded
solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency
values.
Liens.
Regency Energy Partners will not and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise
cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any
kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness
(including any Attributable Debt) upon any of their property or
assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due
under the notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis or on
a senior basis with the obligations so secured until such time
as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien (other than
Permitted Liens).
Dividend
and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.
Regency Energy Partners will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or
permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance
or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
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(1)
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pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Equity
Interests to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or to pay any indebtedness owed to Regency Energy
Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
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(2)
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make loans or advances to Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; or
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(3)
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sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to
Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
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The preceding restrictions will not, however, apply to
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
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(1)
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agreements as in effect on the date of the Indenture and any
amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or
the Indebtedness to which they relate; provided that the
amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more
restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend,
distribution and other payment restrictions than those contained
in those agreements on the date of the Indenture;
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(2)
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the Indenture, the notes and the Note Guarantees;
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(3)
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applicable law, rule, regulation or order;
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S-33
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(4)
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any instrument governing Indebtedness or Equity Interests of a
Person acquired by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such
acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Equity
Interests were incurred in connection with or in contemplation
of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not
applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any
Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the
Person, so acquired; provided, however, that, in the case of
Indebtedness, the incurrence thereof was otherwise permitted by
the terms of the Indenture;
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(5)
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customary non-assignment provisions in contracts for purchase,
gathering, processing, sale, transportation or exchange of crude
oil, natural gas liquids, condensate and natural gas, natural
gas storage agreements, transportation agreements or purchase
and sale or exchange agreements, pipeline or terminaling
agreements, or similar operational agreements or in licenses or
leases, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of
business;
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(6)
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purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary
course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose
restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature
described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
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(7)
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any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted
Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted
Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
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(8)
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Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more
restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the
agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
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(9)
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Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of the
covenant described above under the caption
Liens that limit the right of the debtor to
dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
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(10)
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provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or
property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements,
sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, buy/sell
agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business;
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(11)
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any agreement or instrument relating to any property or assets
acquired after the date of the Indenture, so long as such
encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property or
assets so acquired and is not and was not created in
anticipation of such acquisitions;
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(12)
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restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by
customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business; and
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(13)
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any instrument governing Indebtedness of an FERC Subsidiary,
provided that such Indebtedness was otherwise permitted by the
Indenture to be incurred.
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Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
Neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly:
(1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person
(whether or not such Issuer is the surviving entity); or
(2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets
of Regency Energy Partners and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person,
unless:
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(1)
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either: (a) such Issuer is the surviving entity; or
(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which
such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other
disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing
under the
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S-34
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laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the
District of Columbia; provided, however, that Finance Corp. may
not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a
corporation satisfying such requirement so long as Regency
Energy Partners is not a corporation;
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(2)
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the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such
sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other
disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of such
Issuer under the notes and the Indenture pursuant to agreements
reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
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(3)
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immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of
Default exists;
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(4)
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in the case of a transaction involving Regency Energy Partners
and not Finance Corp., Regency Energy Partners or the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than Regency Energy Partners), or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has
been made will either:
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(a)
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be, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma
effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the
same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-
quarter period, permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test
set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above
under the caption Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Equity; or
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(b)
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have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, on the date of such
transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto and any
related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at
the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, not less
than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Regency Energy Partners
immediately prior to such transaction; and
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(5)
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such Issuer has delivered to the trustee an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental
indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture and all conditions
precedent therein relating to such transaction have been
satisfied; provided that clause (4) shall not apply to any
sale of assets of a Restricted Subsidiary to Regency Energy
Partners or another Restricted Subsidiary or the merger or
consolidation of a Restricted Subsidiary into any Restricted
Subsidiary or Regency Energy Partners.
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Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, Regency Energy Partners
is permitted to reorganize as any other form of entity in
accordance with the procedures established in the Indenture;
provided that:
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(1)
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the reorganization involves the conversion (by merger, sale,
legal conversion, contribution or exchange of assets or
otherwise) of Regency Energy Partners into a form of entity
other than a limited partnership formed under Delaware law;
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(2)
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the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization is
an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United
States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
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(3)
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the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization
assumes all the obligations of Regency Energy Partners under the
notes and the Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably
satisfactory to the trustee;
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(4)
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immediately after such reorganization no Default or Event of
Default exists; and
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S-35
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(5)
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such reorganization is not materially adverse to the holders of
the notes (for purposes of this clause (5) it is stipulated
that such reorganization shall not be considered materially
adverse to the holders of the notes solely because the successor
or survivor of such reorganization (a) is subject to
federal or state income taxation as an entity or (b) is
considered to be an includible corporation of an
affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of
Section 1504(b)(i) of the Code or any similar state or
local law).
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A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate
with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the
surviving Person), another Person, other than Regency Energy
Partners or another Guarantor, unless it complies with the
alternative conditions described above under Note
Guarantees.
Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the
phrase substantially all, there is no precise
established definition of the phrase under applicable law.
Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of
uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve
all or substantially all of the properties or assets
of a Person.
Transactions
with Affiliates.
Regency Energy Partners will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets
to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or
make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement,
understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the
benefit of, any Affiliate of Regency Energy Partners (each, an
Affiliate Transaction), unless:
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(1)
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the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable
to Regency Energy Partners or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary
than those that would have been obtained in a comparable
transaction by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted
Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
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(2)
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with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related
Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in
excess of $50.0 million, Regency Energy Partners delivers
to the trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the
General Partner set forth in an officers certificate
certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related
Affiliate Transactions complies with clause (1) of this
covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved
by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
Directors of Regency Energy Partners.
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The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate
Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the
provisions of the prior paragraph:
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(1)
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any employment agreement, equity award, equity option or equity
appreciation agreement or plan or any similar arrangement
entered into by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments
pursuant thereto;
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(2)
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transactions between or among Regency Energy Partners
and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
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(3)
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transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners) that is an Affiliate of
Regency Energy Partners solely because Regency Energy Partners
owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity
Interest in, or controls, such Person;
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(4)
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any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified
Equity) of Regency Energy Partners to Affiliates of Regency
Energy Partners;
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S-36
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(5)
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Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments that do not violate
the provisions of the Indenture described above under the
caption Restricted Payments;
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(6)
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customary compensation, indemnification and other benefits made
available to officers, directors or employees of Regency Energy
Partners, a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners or
the General Partner, including reimbursement or advancement of
out-of-pocket
expenses and provisions of officers and directors
liability insurance;
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(7)
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in the case of contracts for purchase, gathering, processing,
sale, transportation and marketing of crude oil, natural gas,
condensate and natural gas liquids, hedging agreements, and
production handling, operating, construction, terminaling,
storage, lease, platform use, or other operational contracts,
any such contracts are entered into in the ordinary course of
business on terms substantially similar to those contained in
similar contracts entered into by Regency Energy Partners or any
Restricted Subsidiary and third parties, or if neither Regency
Energy Partners nor any Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a
similar contract with a third party, that the terms are no less
favorable than those available from third parties on an
arms length basis, as determined by the Board of Directors
of the General Partner;
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(8)
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loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of
business not to exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate at any
one time outstanding; and
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(9)
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transactions effected in accordance with the terms of
(a) the Contribution Agreement, the Partnership Agreement,
the Master Services Agreement or the AMI Agreement, as the case
may be, referred to in the Current Report on
Form 8-K
of Regency Energy Partners filed with the SEC on March 18,
2009, (b) the Contribution Agreement dated as of
May 10, 2010 by and among Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.,
Regency Energy Partners and Regency Midcontinent Express LLC and
(c) the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement dated as of March 1, 2007 of MEP, as each such
agreement described in clauses (a) through (c) is in
effect on the date of the Indenture, and any amendment or
extension of such agreement so long as the terms of such
amendment or extension, taken as a whole, are not less
advantageous to Regency Energy Partners or the relevant
Restricted Subsidiary (as determined by the Board of Directors
of the General Partner in its reasonable good faith judgment) in
any material respect than the agreement so amended or extended.
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Business
Activities.
Regency Energy Partners will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than
Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be
material to Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Finance Corp. will not hold any material assets, become liable
for any material obligations or engage in any significant
business activities; provided, that Finance Corp. may be a
co-obligor or guarantor with respect to Indebtedness if Regency
Energy Partners is an obligor on such Indebtedness and the net
proceeds of such Indebtedness are received by Regency Energy
Partners, Finance Corp. or one or more Guarantors. At any time
after Regency Energy Partners is a corporation, Finance Corp.
may consolidate or merge with or into Regency Energy Partners or
any Restricted Subsidiary.
Additional
Guarantees.
If, after the date of the Indenture, any Restricted Subsidiary
of Regency Energy Partners that is not already a Guarantor
guarantees any Indebtedness of either of the Issuers or any
Indebtedness of any Guarantor, or any Domestic Subsidiary, if
not then a Guarantor, incurs any Indebtedness under any Credit
Facility, then in either case that Subsidiary will become a
Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture and delivering
it to
S-37
the trustee within 20 business days of the date on which it
guaranteed or incurred such Indebtedness, as the case may be;
provided however, that the preceding shall not apply to
Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that have been properly
designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the
Indenture for so long as they continue to constitute
Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the preceding, any
Note Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary that was incurred
pursuant to this paragraph as a result of its guarantee of any
Indebtedness shall provide by its terms that it shall be
automatically and unconditionally released upon the release or
discharge of the Guarantee that resulted in the creation of such
Restricted Subsidiarys Note Guarantee, except a discharge
or release by, or as a result of payment under, such Guarantee.
Designation
of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
The Board of Directors of the General Partner may designate any
Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that
designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted
Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the
aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned
by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted will be deemed to be
either an Investment made as of the time of the designation that
will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under
the covenant described above under the caption
Restricted Payments or a Permitted Investment
under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted
Investments, as determined by Regency Energy Partners; provided
that any designation will only be permitted if the Investment
would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary
otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by
filing with the trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the
Board of Directors of the General Partner giving effect to such
designation and an officers certificate certifying that
such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was
permitted by the covenant described above under the caption
Restricted Payments. If, at any time, any
Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding
requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter
cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the
Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed
to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy
Partners as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not
permitted to be incurred as of such date under the covenant
described under the caption Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity, Regency
Energy Partners will be in default of such covenant.
The Board of Directors of the General Partner may at any time
designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; provided that such
designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness
by a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners of any
outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and
such designation will only be permitted if (1) such
Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under the
caption Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Equity, calculated on a pro forma basis as if
such designation had occurred at the beginning of the
four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event
of Default would be in existence following such designation.
Limitation
on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
Regency Energy Partners will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback
transaction; provided that Regency Energy Partners or any
Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback
transaction if the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback
transaction is permitted by, and Regency Energy Partners or such
Restricted Subsidiary applies the proceeds of such transaction
in compliance with, the covenant described above under the
caption Repurchase at the Option of
HoldersAsset Sales.
S-38
Payments
for Consent.
Regency Energy Partners will not, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause
to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any holder
of notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or
amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or
the notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is
paid to all holders of the notes that consent, waive or agree to
amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents
relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
Reports
Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC,
so long as any notes are outstanding, Regency Energy Partners
will furnish (whether through hard copy or internet access) to
the holders of notes or cause the trustee to furnish to the
holders of notes, within the time periods specified in the
SECs rules and regulations:
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(1)
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all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be
filed with the SEC on
Forms 10-Q
and 10-K if
Regency Energy Partners were required to file such
reports; and
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(2)
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all current reports that would be required to be filed with the
SEC on
Form 8-K
if Regency Energy Partners were required to file such reports.
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All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in
accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to
such reports, including
Section 3-10
of
Regulation S-X.
Each annual report on
Form 10-K
will include a report on Regency Energy Partners
consolidated financial statements by Regency Energy
Partners independent registered public accounting firm. In
addition, Regency Energy Partners will file a copy of each of
the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above
with the SEC for public availability within the time periods
specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such
reports (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and will
post the reports on its website within those time periods.
If, at any time Regency Energy Partners is no longer subject to
the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any
reason, Regency Energy Partners will nevertheless continue
filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraphs of this
covenant with the SEC within the time periods specified above
unless the SEC will not accept such a filing; provided that, for
so long as Regency Energy Partners is not subject to the
periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any
reason, the time period for filing reports on
Form 8-K
shall be 5 Business Days after the event giving rise to the
obligation to file such report. Regency Energy Partners will not
take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept
any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC
will not accept Regency Energy Partners filings for any
reason, Regency Energy Partners will post the reports referred
to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time
periods that would apply if Regency Energy Partners were
required to file those reports with the SEC.
Events of
Default and Remedies
Each of the following is an Event of Default:
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(1)
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default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on
the notes;
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(2)
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default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or
otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the
notes;
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(3)
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failure by Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor to make a
Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer within the time
periods set forth, or to consummate a purchase of notes when
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S-39
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required pursuant to the terms described, under the captions
Repurchase at the Option of HoldersChange of
Control or Repurchase at the Option of
HoldersAsset Sales or to comply with the provisions
described under the caption Certain
CovenantsMerger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;
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(4)
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failure by Regency Energy Partners for 90 days after notice
to comply with the provisions described under
Reports;
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(5)
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failure by Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor for
60 days after written notice to comply with any of its
other agreements in the Indenture;
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(6)
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default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which
there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by Regency Energy
Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment
of which is guaranteed by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee
now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, if
that default:
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(a)
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is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or
premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of
the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of
such default (a Payment Default); or
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(b)
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results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its
express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any
such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any
other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment
Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated,
aggregates $20.0 million or more, provided, however, that
if, prior to any acceleration of the notes, (i) any such
Payment Default is cured or waived, (ii) any such
acceleration is rescinded, or (iii) such Indebtedness is
repaid during the 10 business day period commencing upon the end
of any applicable grace period for such Payment Default or the
occurrence of such acceleration, as applicable, any Default or
Event of Default (but not any acceleration of the notes) caused
by such Payment Default or acceleration shall automatically be
rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any
judgment, decree or applicable law;
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(7)
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failure by an Issuer or any of Regency Energy Partners
Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a
court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess
of $20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged
or stayed for a period of 60 days;
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(8)
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except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held
in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or
ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any
Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor,
denies or disaffirms its Obligations under its Note
Guarantee; and
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(9)
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certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the
Indenture with respect to Finance Corp., Regency Energy Partners
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant
Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken
together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.
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In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events
of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to Finance Corp.,
Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency
Energy Partners that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of
Restricted Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that, taken
together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all
outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately
without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default
occurs and is continuing, the
S-40
trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding notes may declare all the notes
to be due and payable immediately.
Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding notes may
direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
trustee may withhold from holders of the notes notice of any
continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that
withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or
Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, interest
or premium, if any.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the
duties of the trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request
or direction of any holders of notes unless such holders have
offered to the trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the
trustee in its sole discretion against any loss, liability or
expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest, when due, no holder of
a note may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or
the notes unless:
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(1)
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such holder has previously given the trustee notice that an
Event of Default is continuing;
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(2)
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holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding notes have requested the trustee to pursue the
remedy;
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(3)
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such holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity
satisfactory to the trustee in its sole discretion against any
loss, liability or expense;
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(4)
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the trustee has not complied with such request within
60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of
security or indemnity; and
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(5)
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holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding notes have not given the trustee a direction
inconsistent with such request within such
60-day
period.
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The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding notes by notice to the trustee may, on behalf
of the holders of all of the notes, rescind an acceleration or
waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or
Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium, if any,
on, or the principal of, the notes.
In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any
willful action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of
an Issuer with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium
that the Issuers would have had to pay if the Issuers then had
elected to redeem the notes on or after December 1, 2014
pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of the indenture,
an equivalent premium will also become and be immediately due
and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration
of the notes. If an Event of Default occurs prior to
December 1, 2014 by reason of any willful action or
inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of an Issuer with
the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the
notes prior to that date, then the premium specified in the
indenture with respect to the first year that the notes may be
redeemed at the Issuers option (other than with the net
cash proceeds of an Equity Offering or on a make-whole basis)
will also become immediately due and payable to the extent
permitted by law upon the acceleration of the notes.
The Issuers and the Guarantors are required to deliver to the
trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the
Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of
Default, the Issuers and the Guarantors are required to deliver
to the trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of
Default.
S-41
No
Recourse to Trustee, General Partner or Personal Liability of
Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
None of the Trustee, the General Partner or any director,
officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or
unit holder or other owner of any Equity Interest of the
Trustee, General Partner, the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such,
will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or
the Guarantors under the notes, the Indenture, the Note
Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by
reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of
notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration
for issuance of the notes and the Note Guarantees. The waiver
may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal
securities laws.
Legal
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have
all of the Issuers obligations discharged with respect to
the outstanding notes and all Obligations of the Guarantors
discharged with respect to their Note Guarantees (Legal
Defeasance) except for:
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(1)
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the rights of holders of outstanding notes to receive payments
in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any,
on, such notes when such payments are due from the trust
referred to below;
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(2)
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the Issuers obligations with respect to the notes
concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of notes,
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance
of an office or agency for payment and money for security
payments held in trust;
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(3)
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the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the
trustee, and the Issuers and the Guarantors
Obligations in connection therewith; and
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(4)
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the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance provisions of the
Indenture.
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In addition, Regency Energy Partners may, at its option and at
any time, elect to have the obligations of the Issuers released
with respect to certain covenants (including Regency Energy
Partners obligation to make Change of Control Offers and
Asset Sale Offers) that are described in the Indenture
(Covenant Defeasance) and all Obligations of the
Guarantors with respect to their Note Guarantees discharged, and
thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants or Note
Guarantees will not constitute a Default or Event of Default. If
Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including
non-payment and bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and
insolvency events relating to Regency Energy Partners) described
under Events of Default and Remedies will no
longer constitute an Event of Default.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance:
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(1)
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the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust,
for the benefit of the holders of the notes, cash in
U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable
Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal
firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the
principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on the
outstanding notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on
the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the
Issuers must specify whether the notes are being defeased to
such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
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(2)
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in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers must deliver to the
trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the
trustee confirming that (a) the Issuers have received from,
or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling or (b) since the date of the
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S-42
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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 will confirm that, the holders
of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal
Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
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(3)
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in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers must deliver to
the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the
trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding notes
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;
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(4)
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no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on
the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of
Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to
such deposit);
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(5)
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such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in
a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any
material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to
which Regency Energy Partners or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Subsidiaries is bound;
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(6)
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the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officers
certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers
with the intent of preferring the holders of notes over the
other creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating,
hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuers
or others; and
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(7)
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the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the
Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
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Amendment,
Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the
Indenture or the notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or
supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then
outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a
purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes), and
any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any
provision of the Indenture or the notes or the Note Guarantees
may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding notes
(including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of,
or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes).
Without the consent of each holder of notes affected, an
amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any
notes held by a non-consenting holder):
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(1)
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reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must consent
to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
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(2)
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reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any note
or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or
repurchase of the notes (other than provisions relating to the
covenants described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of Holders);
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S-43
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(3)
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reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest,
including default interest, on any note;
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(4)
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waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal
of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the notes (except a
rescission of acceleration of the notes by the holders of at
least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding notes and a waiver of the payment default that
resulted from such acceleration);
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(5)
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make any note payable in money other than that stated in the
notes;
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(6)
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make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to
waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of notes to
receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if
any, on, the notes (other than as permitted by clause (7)
below);
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(7)
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waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any
note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants
described above under the caption Repurchase at the
Option of Holders);
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(8)
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release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note
Guarantee or the Indenture, except in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture; or
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(9)
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make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and
waiver provisions.
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Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder
of notes, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the trustee may amend
or supplement the Indenture, the notes or the Note Guarantees:
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(1)
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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
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(2)
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to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place
of certificated notes;
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(3)
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to provide for the assumption of an Issuers or a
Guarantors obligations to holders of notes and Note
Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of
all or substantially all of such Issuers or such
Guarantors assets, as applicable;
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(4)
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to make any change that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the holders of notes or that does not adversely
affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such holder;
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(5)
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to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act;
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(6)
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to conform the text of the Indenture or the Note Guarantees to
any provision of this Description of the Notes to
the extent that such text of the Indenture or Note Guarantee was
intended to reflect such provision of this Description of
the Notes;
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(7)
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to provide for the issuance of additional notes in accordance
with the limitations set forth in the Indenture;
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(8)
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to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture
and/or a
notation of a Note Guarantee with respect to the notes or to
reflect the addition or release of a Note Guarantee in
accordance with the Indenture;
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(9)
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to secure the notes
and/or the
Note Guarantees; or
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S-44
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(10)
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to provide for the reorganization of Regency Energy Partners as
any other form of entity, in accordance with the second
paragraph of Certain CovenantsMerger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
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Satisfaction
and Discharge
The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all notes issued thereunder (except as to surviving
rights of transfer or exchange of the notes and as otherwise
specified in the Indenture), when:
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(a)
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all notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or
destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for
whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter
repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the trustee for
cancellation; or
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(b)
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all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for
cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and
payable within one year by reason of the mailing of a notice of
redemption or otherwise and the Issuers or any Guarantor has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee
as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders,
cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities,
or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable
Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without
consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and
discharge the entire Indebtedness on the notes not delivered to
the trustee for cancellation for principal and premium, if any,
and accrued interest to the date of fixed maturity or redemption;
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(2)
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no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on
the date of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of
Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to
such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, any other
instrument to which Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor is
a party or by which Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor is
bound;
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(3)
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the Issuers or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all
sums payable by it under the Indenture; and
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(4)
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the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the
trustee under the Indenture to apply the deposited money toward
the payment of the notes at fixed maturity or on the redemption
date, as the case may be.
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In addition, the Issuers must deliver an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating
that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have
been satisfied.
Concerning
the Trustee
If the trustee becomes a creditor of the Issuers or any
Guarantor, the Indenture limits the right of the trustee to
obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on
certain property received in respect of any such claim as
security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage
in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting
interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) after a
Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such
conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to
continue as trustee (if the Indenture has been qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act) or resign.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any
remedy available to
S-45
the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture
provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and
powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of
care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his
own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request of any holder of notes,
except at the direction of holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding and
unless such holders have offered to the trustee security or
indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any
loss, liability or expense.
Governing
Law
The Indenture, the notes and the Note Guarantees will be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the
State of New York.
Additional
Information
Anyone who receives this offering memorandum may obtain a copy
of the Indenture and the Partnership Agreement without charge by
writing to Regency Energy Partners LP at 2001 Bryan Street,
Suite 3700, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Chief Legal
Officer.
Book-Entry,
Delivery and Form
Except as set forth below, the notes will be issued in
registered, global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. Notes will be
issued at the closing of this offering only against payment in
immediately available funds.
The notes initially will be represented by one or more notes in
registered, global form without interest coupons (the
Global Notes). The Global Notes will be deposited
upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for The Depository
Trust Company (DTC) and registered in the name
of DTC or its nominee, in each case, for credit to an account of
a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below.
Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred,
in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the
Global Notes may not be exchanged for definitive notes in
registered certificated form (Certificated Notes)
except in the limited circumstances described below. See
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated
Notes.
Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be
subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its
direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those
of Euroclear System (Euroclear) and Clearstream
Banking, S.A. (Clearstream)), which may change from
time to time.
Depository
Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of
DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter
of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely
within the control of the respective settlement systems and are
subject to changes by them. The Issuers take no responsibility
for these operations and procedures and urge investors to
contact the system or their participants directly to discuss
these matters.
DTC has advised the Issuers that DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company created to hold securities for its participating
organizations (collectively, the Participants) and
to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in
those securities between the Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The
Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including
the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. Access to DTCs system is
also
S-46
available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly
(collectively, the Indirect Participants). Persons
who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by
or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers
of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of
DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect
Participants.
DTC has also advised the Issuers that, pursuant to procedures
established by it:
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(1)
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upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts
of the Participants by or through whom purchases are made with
portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and
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(2)
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ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown
on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect
to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect
Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial
interests in the Global Notes).
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Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants in DTCs
system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC.
Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold
their interests therein indirectly through organizations
(including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants in
such system. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the
Global Notes on behalf of their participants through
customers securities accounts in their respective names on
the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear
Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as
operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note,
including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be
subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those
interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be
subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems. The
laws of some states require that certain Persons take physical
delivery in definitive form of securities that they own.
Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a
Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent.
Because DTC can act only on behalf of the Participants, which in
turn act on behalf of the Indirect Participants, the ability of
a Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge
such interests to Persons that do not participate in the DTC
system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests,
may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing
such interests.
Except as
described below, owners of interests in the Global Notes will
not have notes registered in their names, will not receive
physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will not be
considered the registered owners or holders thereof
under the Indenture for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and
premium, if any, on, a Global Note registered in the name of DTC
or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the
registered holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the
Indenture, the Issuers and the trustee will treat the Persons in
whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are
registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of
receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently,
neither the Issuers, the trustee nor any agent of the Issuers or
the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
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(1)
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any aspect of DTCs records or any Participants or
Indirect Participants records relating to or payments made
on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTCs
records or any Participants or Indirect Participants
records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the
Global Notes; or
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(2)
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any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or
any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.
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S-47
DTC has advised the Issuers that its current practice, at the
due date of any payment in respect of securities such as the
notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the
accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the
payment date unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not
receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant
is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial
ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant
security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the
Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial
owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices and will be the responsibility of the
Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the
responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Issuers. Neither the
Issuers nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or
any of the Participants or the Indirect Participants in
identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and the Issuers
and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected
in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all
purposes.
Transfers between the Participants in DTC will be effected in
accordance with DTCs procedures, and will be settled in
same-day
funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and
Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective
rules and operating procedures. Subject to compliance with the
transfer restrictions applicable to the notes described herein,
cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the
one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the
other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with
DTCs rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the
case may be, by its depository; 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 (Brussels time) of such system.
Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the
transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver
instructions to its depository to take action to effect final
settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in
the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment
in accordance with normal procedures for
same-day
funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and
Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly
to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.
DTC has advised the Issuers that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction
of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited
the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such
portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to
which such Participant or Participants has or have given such
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the
notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for
notes in certificated form, and to distribute such notes to its
Participants.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the
foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the
Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and
Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to
continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such
procedures at any time. Neither the Issuers nor the trustee nor
any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for
the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their
respective participants or indirect participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing
their operations.
Exchange
of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for Certificated Notes if:
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(1)
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DTC (a) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as depositary for the Global Note or (b) has
ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act
and, in either case, the Issuers fail to appoint a successor
depositary; or
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(2)
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there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default and DTC
notifies the trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Note
for Certificated Notes.
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S-48
In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any
Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be
registered in the names, and issued in any approved
denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in
accordance with its customary procedures).
Exchange
of Certificated Notes for Global Notes
Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests
in any Global Note.
Certain
Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture.
Reference is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all
defined terms used therein, as well as any other capitalized
terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
Acquired Debt means, with respect to any specified
Person:
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(1)
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Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other
Person is merged with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of such
specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred
in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person
merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such
specified Person, but excluding Indebtedness which is
extinguished, retired or repaid in connection with such Person
merging with or becoming a Subsidiary of such specific
Person; and
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(2)
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Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by
such specified Person.
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Affiliate of any specified Person means any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with such specified
Person. For purposes of this definition, control, as
used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise;
provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting
Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control; provided,
further, that any third Person which also beneficially owns 10%
or more of the Voting Stock of a specified Person shall not be
deemed to be an Affiliate of either the specified Person or the
other Person merely because of such common ownership in such
specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the terms
controlling, controlled by and
under common control with have correlative meanings.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to any note
on any redemption date, the greater of:
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(1)
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1.0% of the principal amount of the note; or
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(2)
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the excess of:
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(a)
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the present value at such redemption date of (i) the
redemption price of the note at December 1, 2014 (such
redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above
under the caption Optional Redemption) plus
(ii) all required interest payments due on the note through
December 1, 2014 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to
the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to
the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis
points; over
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(b)
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the principal amount of the note.
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S-49
Asset Sale means:
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(1)
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the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any
properties or assets; provided, however, that the sale, lease,
conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the properties or assets of Regency Energy Partners and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions
of the Indenture described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of HoldersChange of
Control
and/or the
provisions described above under the caption Certain
CovenantsMerger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets and
not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant; and
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(2)
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the issuance of Equity Interests in any of Regency Energy
Partners Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity
Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
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Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will
be deemed to be an Asset Sale:
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(1)
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any single transaction or series of related transactions that
involves properties or assets having a Fair Market Value of less
than $10.0 million;
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(2)
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a transfer of properties or assets between or among Regency
Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
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(3)
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an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners to Regency Energy Partners
or to a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;
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(4)
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the sale or lease of products, services or accounts receivable
in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other
disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete properties or
assets in the ordinary course of business;
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(5)
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the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents,
Hedging Obligations or other financial instruments in the
ordinary course of business;
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(6)
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a Restricted Payment that does not violate the covenant
described above under the caption Certain
CovenantsRestricted Payments or a Permitted
Investment;
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(7)
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any trade or exchange by Regency Energy Partners or any
Restricted Subsidiary of properties or assets of any type for
properties or assets of any type owned or held by another
Person, including any disposition of some but not all of the
Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for
assets or properties and after which the Person whose Equity
Interests have been so disposed of continues to be a Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that the Fair Market Value of the
properties or assets traded or exchanged by Regency Energy
Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash
or Cash Equivalents and liabilities assumed) is reasonably
equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets
(together with any cash or Cash Equivalents and liabilities
assumed) to be received by Regency Energy Partners or such
Restricted Subsidiary; and provided further that any cash
received must be applied in accordance with the provisions
described above under the caption Repurchase at the
Option of HoldersAsset Sales; and
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(8)
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the creation or perfection of a Lien that is not prohibited by
the covenant described above under the caption
Certain CovenantsLiens, and any
disposition in connection with a Permitted Lien.
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Asset Sale Offer has the meaning assigned to that
term under Repurchase at the Option of
HoldersAsset Sales.
S-50
Attributable Debt in respect of a sale and leaseback
transaction means, at the time of determination, the present
value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments
during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and
leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease
has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be
extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a
discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such
transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided,
however, that, if such sale and leaseback transaction results in
a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness
represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the
definition of Capital Lease Obligation.
Available Cash has the meaning assigned to such term
in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the 2013 Notes
Issue Date.
Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to such
term in
Rule 13d-3
and
Rule 13d-5
under the Exchange Act, except that, in calculating the
beneficial ownership of any particular person (as
that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act),
such person will be deemed to have beneficial
ownership of all securities that such person has the
right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities,
whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable
only after the passage of time. The terms Beneficially
Owns and Beneficially Owned have a
corresponding meaning.
Board of Directors means:
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(1)
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with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the
corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on
behalf of such board;
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(2)
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with respect to a partnership, the board of directors or board
of managers of the general partner of the partnership or, if
such general partner is itself a limited partnership, then the
board of directors or board of managers of its general partner;
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(3)
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with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member
or members or any controlling committee of managing members
thereof; and
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(4)
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with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such
Person serving a similar function.
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Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time any
determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in
respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required
to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with
GAAP.
Capital Stock means:
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(1)
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in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
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(2)
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in the case of an association or business entity, any and all
shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents
(however designated) of corporate stock;
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(3)
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in the case of a partnership or limited liability company,
partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership
interests; and
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(4)
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any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the
right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person,
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but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities
convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt
securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
S-51
Cash Equivalents means:
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(1)
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United States dollars or, in an amount up to the amount
necessary or appropriate to fund local operating expenses, other
currencies;
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(2)
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securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by
the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of
the United States government (provided that the full faith and
credit of the United States is pledged in support of those
securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the
date of acquisition;
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(3)
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certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with
maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition,
bankers acceptances with maturities not exceeding six
months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any
domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of
$500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of
B or better;
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(4)
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repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days
for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any
financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (3) above;
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(5)
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commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from Moodys or S&P and, in each case,
maturing within six months after the date of
acquisition; and
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(6)
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money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which
constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in
clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.
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Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the
following:
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(1)
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the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition (other than by way of merger or
consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of
all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Regency
Energy Partners and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any
person (as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a
Qualified Owner, which occurrence is followed by a Ratings
Decline within 90 days;
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(2)
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the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of Regency Energy Partners or the removal of the
General Partner by the limited partners of Regency Energy
Partners;
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(3)
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the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or
consolidation), the result of which is that any
person (as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a
Qualified Owner, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General
Partner or of Regency Energy Partners, measured by voting power
rather than number of shares, which occurrence is followed by a
Ratings Decline within 90 days; or
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(4)
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the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of the General Partner are not Continuing Directors,
which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline within
90 days.
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Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of Regency Energy
Partners from a limited partnership to a corporation, limited
liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all
of the outstanding limited partnership interests for capital
stock in a corporation, for member interests in a limited
liability company or for Equity Interests in such other form of
entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as
immediately following such conversion or exchange either (i) the
persons (as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially
Owned the Capital Stock of Regency Energy Partners
S-52
immediately prior to such transactions continue to Beneficially
Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such
entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient Equity
Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors,
managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar
capacity for such entity, and, in either case no
person (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of
the Exchange Act), excluding any Qualified Owner, Beneficially
Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity or (ii)
one or more Qualified Owners in the aggregate own more than 50%
of the Voting Stock of such entity.
Change of Control Offer has the meaning assigned to
that term under Repurchase at the Option of
HoldersChange of Control.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, with respect to any
specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of
such Person for such period plus, without duplication:
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(1)
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an amount equal to (i) any extraordinary loss plus
(ii) any net loss realized by such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale or the
disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any
Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, in each case, to the extent such losses were
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
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(2)
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provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent
that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income; plus
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(3)
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the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued
(including amortization of debt issuance costs and original
issue discount, non- cash interest payments, the interest
component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest
component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt,
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in
respect of letter of credit or bankers acceptance
financings, and net of all payments, if any, pursuant to Hedging
Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted
in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
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(4)
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depreciation, amortization (including amortization of
intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses
that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses
(excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it
represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any
future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was
paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such
depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
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(5)
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unrealized non-cash losses resulting from foreign currency
balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP to the extent such
losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income;
plus
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(6)
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all extraordinary or non-recurring items of gain or loss, or
revenue or expense; minus
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(7)
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non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such
period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course
of business,
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in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP.
S-53
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any
specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income
of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period,
on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP;
provided that:
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(1)
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the aggregate Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is
not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the
equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent
of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash
to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;
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(2)
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the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to
the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or
similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net
Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any
prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or,
directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter
or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute,
rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted
Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or members;
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(3)
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the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will
be excluded;
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(4)
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unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments
included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income,
including those resulting from the application of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 will be
excluded; and
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(5)
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any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty
paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in
connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to
its Stated Maturity will be excluded.
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Consolidated Net Tangible Assets means, with respect
to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount
of total assets included in such Persons most recent
quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in
accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such
balance sheet, after (i) adding the aggregate incremental
amount of total assets that would have resulted from an
acquisition of assets from an Affiliate that is accounted for as
a pooling had it been accounted for using purchase accounting
and (ii) deducting the following amounts: (a) all
current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, and
(b) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt
discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in
such balance sheet.
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of
determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the
General Partner who:
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(1)
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was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of the
Indenture; or
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(2)
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was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors
with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who
were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such
nomination or election.
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Credit Agreement means that certain Fifth Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2010,
as amended by that certain Amendment Agreement No. 1 dated
as of May 26, 2010, by and among Regency Gas Services LP,
Regency Energy Partners, the Guarantors party thereto, the
lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent for the lenders and collateral agent for the secured
parties, Wells Fargo Securities LLC, Banc of America Securities
LLC and RBS Securities Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint
bookmanagers, Bank of America, N.A. and The Royal Bank of
Scotland plc, as co-syndication agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., UBS Loan Finance LLC and Citibank, N.A., as senior
managing agents, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc. and
Barclays Bank plc, as co-documentation agents, providing for
$900.0 million of borrowings and letters of credit,
including any related notes,
S-54
Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements
executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended,
restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in
whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the
amount of available borrowings thereunder).
Credit Facilities means, one or more debt facilities
(including the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities,
in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders
providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, accounts
receivable financing (including through the sale of accounts
receivable to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed
to borrow from such lenders against such accounts receivable) or
letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified,
renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including by means of
sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or
in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of
available borrowings thereunder).
Default means any event that is, or with the passage
of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of
Default.
Disqualified Equity means any Equity Interest that,
by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at
the option of the holder of the Equity Interest), or upon the
happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable,
pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or
redeemable at the option of the holder of the Equity Interest,
in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is
91 days after the date on which the notes mature.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Equity Interest that
would constitute Disqualified Equity solely because the holders
of the Equity Interest have the right to require Regency Energy
Partners to repurchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence
of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute
Disqualified Equity if the terms of such Equity Interest provide
that Regency Energy Partners may not repurchase or redeem any
such Equity Interest pursuant to such provisions unless such
repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant described
above under the caption Certain
CovenantsRestricted Payments.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary
of Regency Energy Partners that was formed under the laws of the
United States or any state of the United States or the District
of Columbia.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all
warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but
excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Equity Offering means any public or private sale of
Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity) made for cash
on a primary basis by Regency Energy Partners after the date of
the Indenture.
Existing Indebtedness means the aggregate principal
amount of Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners and its
Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit
Agreement) in existence on the date of the Indenture, until such
amounts are repaid.
Fair Market Value means the value that would be paid
by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a
transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party,
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Regency
Energy Partners (unless otherwise provided in the Indenture).
FERC Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary of
Regency Energy Partners that is subject to the regulatory
jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (or any
successor thereof) under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas
Act of 1938.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means with respect to
any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the
ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such
period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. If
the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems,
defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than
ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or
redeems Disqualified Equity subsequent to the
S-55
commencement of the applicable four-quarter reference period and
on or prior to the date on which the event for which the
calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the
Calculation Date), then the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such
incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase,
redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or
such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Equity,
and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had
occurred at the beginning of such period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio:
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(1)
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acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or
consolidations and including any related financing transactions
during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such
reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be
given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day
of the four-quarter reference period, including any Consolidated
Cash Flow and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that
have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the
reasonable judgment of the chief financial or accounting officer
of Regency Energy Partners (regardless of whether those cost
savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro
forma financial statements in accordance with
Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or
policy of the SEC related thereto);
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(2)
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the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and
operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein)
disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;
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(3)
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the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as
determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses
(and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the
Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that
the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be
obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;
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(4)
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interest income reasonably anticipated by such Person to be
received during the applicable four quarter period from cash or
Cash Equivalents held by such Person or any Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person, which cash or Cash Equivalents exist
on the Calculation Date or will exist as a result of the
transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio, will be included;
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(5)
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if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the
interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if
the average rate in effect from the beginning of the applicable
period to the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for
the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation
applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a
remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of
12 months); and
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(6)
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if any Indebtedness is incurred under a revolving credit
facility and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on
such Indebtedness shall be calculated based on the average daily
balance of such Indebtedness for the four fiscal quarters
subject to the pro forma calculation.
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Fixed Charges means, with respect to any specified
Person for any period, (A) the sum, without duplication, of:
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(1)
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the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or
accrued, including amortization of debt issuance costs and
original issue discount, non- cash interest payments, the
interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations,
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S-56
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imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of
letter of credit or bankers acceptance financings, and net
of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to
Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus
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(2)
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the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period;
plus
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(3)
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any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is
guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien
is called upon; plus
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(4)
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all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in
cash, on any series of Disqualified Equity of such Person or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity
Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of Regency Energy
Partners (other than Disqualified Equity) or to Regency Energy
Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;
minus
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(B) to the extent included in (A) above, write-offs of
deferred financing costs of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries during such period and any charge related to, or
any premium or penalty paid in connection with, paying any such
Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries
prior to its Stated Maturity.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles
in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.
General Partner means Regency GP LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, and its successors and permitted
assigns as general partner of Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited
partnership, and its successors and permitted assigns as general
partner of Regency Energy Partners or as the business entity
with the ultimate authority to manage the business and
operations of Regency Energy Partners.
Government Securities means direct obligations of,
or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for
the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and
credit of the United States of America is pledged.
Guarantee means a guarantee other than by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner
including by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of
credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or
any part of any Indebtedness.
Guarantors means each of:
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(1)
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the Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners, other than Finance
Corp., executing the Indenture as initial Guarantors; and
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(2)
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any other Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that becomes a
Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture,
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and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until
the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in
accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
S-57
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any
specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred in the
ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes
under:
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(1)
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interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or
from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and
interest rate collar agreements entered into with one or more
financial institutions and designed to reduce costs of borrowing
or to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
entering into the agreement against fluctuations in interest
rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;
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(2)
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other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest
rates or interest rate risk;
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(3)
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foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements
entered into with one of more financial institutions and
designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in
currency exchanges rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;
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(4)
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any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other
similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against
fluctuations in the price of Hydrocarbons used, produced,
processed or sold by that Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries at the time; and
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(5)
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other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in
currency exchange rates or commodity prices.
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HPC means RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co., a
Delaware general partnership, and its successors and assigns.
Hydrocarbons means crude oil, natural gas, natural
gas liquids, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, condensate,
distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all
constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined
or processed therefrom.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any specified
Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not
contingent:
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(1)
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in respect of borrowed money;
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(2)
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evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or
letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof);
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(3)
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in respect of bankers acceptances;
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(4)
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representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in
respect of sale and leaseback transactions;
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(5)
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representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of any property or services due more than six months after
such property is acquired or such services are completed; or
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(6)
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representing any Hedging Obligations,
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if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than
letters of credit, Attributable Debt and Hedging Obligations)
would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the
specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition,
the term Indebtedness includes all Indebtedness of
others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person
(whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified
Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee
by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.
S-58
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not
constitute Indebtedness:
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(1)
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accrued expenses and trade accounts payable arising in the
ordinary course of business;
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(2)
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any obligation of Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of bid, performance, surety
and similar bonds issued for the account of Regency Energy
Partners and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business, including Guarantees and obligations of
Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
with respect to letters of credit supporting such obligations
(in each case other than an obligation for money borrowed);
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(3)
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any Indebtedness that has been defeased in accordance with GAAP
or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Government
Securities (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such
Indebtedness at fixed maturity or redemption, as applicable, and
all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or
account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders
of such Indebtedness and subject to no other Liens, and the
other applicable terms of the instrument governing such
Indebtedness;
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(4)
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any obligation arising from the honoring by a bank or other
financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument
drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of
business; provided, however, that such obligation is
extinguished within five Business Days of its
incurrence; and
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(5)
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any obligation arising from any agreement providing for
indemnities, guarantees, purchase price adjustments, holdbacks,
contingency payment obligations based on the performance of the
acquired or disposed assets or similar obligations (other than
guarantees of Indebtedness) incurred by any Person in connection
with the acquisition or disposition of assets.
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Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or
higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moodys and BBB-
(or the equivalent) by S&P.
Investments means, with respect to any Person, all
direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons
(including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including
Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital
contributions (excluding (1) commission, travel and similar
advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course
of business and (2) advances to customers in the ordinary
course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on
the balance sheet of the lender), purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests
or other securities, together with all items that are or would
be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in
accordance with GAAP. If Regency Energy Partners or any
Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners sells or
otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or
indirect Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners such
that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such
Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy
Partners, Regency Energy Partners will be deemed to have made an
Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to
the Fair Market Value of Regency Energy Partners
Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary that were not sold or
disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
Certain CovenantsRestricted Payments.
Joint Venture means any Person that is not a direct
or indirect Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners in which
Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
makes any Investment.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage,
lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any
kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or
otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease
in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or
give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to
S-59
give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code
(or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a
precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not
intended as a security agreement. In no event shall a right of
first refusal be deemed to constitute a Lien.
MEP means Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and
assigns.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service,
Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
Net Income means, with respect to any specified
Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in
accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of
preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:
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(1)
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any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for
taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with:
(a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any
securities by such Person or the extinguishment of any
Indebtedness of such Person; and
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(2)
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any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with any related
provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss).
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Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash proceeds
received by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash
received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash
consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:
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(1)
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the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including legal,
accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions,
and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset
Sale,
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(2)
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taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each
case, after taking into account any available tax credits or
deductions and any tax sharing arrangements,
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(3)
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amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness,
other than revolving credit Indebtedness except to the extent
resulting a permanent reduction in availability of such
Indebtedness under a Credit Facility, secured by a Lien on the
properties or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale
and all distributions and payments required to be made to
minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries as a result
of such Asset Sale, and
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(4)
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any amounts to be set aside in any reserve established in
accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either
case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such
properties or assets or for liabilities associated with such
Asset Sale and retained by Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries until such time as such reserve is
reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case
Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so
reversed or the amount returned to Regency Energy Partners or
its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the
case may be.
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Non-Recourse Debt means Indebtedness:
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(1)
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as to which neither Regency Energy Partners nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any
kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that
would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or
indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise or (c) is the
lender;
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S-60
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(2)
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no default with respect to which (including any rights that the
holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action
against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice,
lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of
Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the
payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior
to its Stated Maturity; and
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(3)
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as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they
will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of Regency
Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries except as
contemplated by clause (10) of the definition of Permitted
Liens.
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For purposes of determining compliance with the covenant
described under Certain CovenantsIncurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity above, if
any Non-Recourse Debt of any of Regency Energy Partners
Unrestricted Subsidiaries ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of such
Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to constitute
an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of
Regency Energy Partners.
Note Guarantee means the Guarantee by each Guarantor
of the Issuers obligations under the Indenture and the
notes, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture.
Obligations means any principal, interest,
penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and
other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any
Indebtedness.
Operating Surplus has the meaning assigned to such
term in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the 2013
Notes Issue Date.
Partnership Agreement means the Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP,
dated as of February 3, 2006, as amended as of the date of
Indenture, and as such may be further amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time.
Permitted Business means either (1) gathering,
transporting, treating, processing, marketing, distributing,
storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or
services reasonably related or ancillary thereto including
entering into Hedging Obligations to support these businesses,
or (2) any other business that generates gross income that
constitutes qualifying income under
Section 7704(d) of the Code.
Permitted Business Investments means Investments by
Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in
any Unrestricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners or in any
Joint Venture, provided that:
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(1)
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either (a) at the time of such Investment and immediately
thereafter, Regency Energy Partners could incur $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described
under Certain CovenantsIncurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity above or
(b) such Investment does not exceed the aggregate amount of
Incremental Funds (as defined in the covenant described under
Certain CovenantsRestricted Payments)
not previously expended at the time of making such Investment;
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(2)
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if such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture has outstanding
Indebtedness at the time of such Investment, either (a) all
such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Debt or (b) any such
Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Joint Venture
that is recourse to Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (which shall include all Indebtedness of
such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture for which Regency
Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may be
directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, obligated to
pay, whether pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, by law
or pursuant to any guarantee, including any
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S-61
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claw-back, make-well or
keepwell arrangement) could, at the time such
Investment is made, be incurred at that time by Regency Energy
Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the
covenant described under Certain
CovenantsIncurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Equity; and
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(3)
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such Unrestricted Subsidiarys or Joint Ventures
activities are not outside the scope of the Permitted Business.
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Permitted Investments means:
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(1)
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any Investment in Regency Energy Partners or in a Restricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;
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(2)
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any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
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(3)
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any Investment by Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted
Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners in a Person, if as a
result of such Investment:
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(a)
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such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy
Partners; or
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(b)
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such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into,
or transfers or conveys substantially all of its properties or
assets to, or is liquidated into, Regency Energy Partners or a
Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;
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(4)
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any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash
consideration from:
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(a)
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an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with
the covenant described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of HoldersAsset
Sales; or
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(b)
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pursuant to clause (7) of the items deemed not to be Asset
Sales under the definition of Asset Sale;
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(5)
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any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance
of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity) of Regency
Energy Partners;
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(6)
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any Investments received in compromise or resolution of
(A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were
incurred in the ordinary course of business of Regency Energy
Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including
pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement
upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or
customer, or as a result of a foreclosure by Regency Energy
Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to
any secured Investment in default; or (B) litigation,
arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not
Affiliates;
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(7)
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Investments represented by Hedging Obligations permitted to be
incurred;
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(8)
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loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of
business of Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary
of Regency Energy Partners in an aggregate principal amount not
to exceed $1.0 million at any one time outstanding;
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(9)
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repurchases of the notes;
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S-62
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(10)
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any Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held
for collection and lease, utility, workers compensation
and performance and other similar deposits and prepaid expenses
made in the ordinary course of business;
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(11)
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Permitted Business Investments; and
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(12)
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other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market
Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and
without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when
taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this
clause (12) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed
the greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of
Regency Energy Partners Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
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Permitted Liens means:
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(1)
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Liens securing any Indebtedness under any of the Credit
Facilities and all Obligations and Hedging Obligations relating
to such Indebtedness;
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(2)
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Liens in favor of Regency Energy Partners or the Guarantors;
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(3)
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Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person
is merged with or into or consolidated with Regency Energy
Partners or any Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; provided
that such Liens were in existence prior to such merger or
consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those
of the Person merged into or consolidated with Regency Energy
Partners or the Subsidiary;
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(4)
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Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the
property by Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary
of Regency Energy Partners; provided that such Liens were in
existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in
contemplation of, such acquisition;
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(5)
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Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety
or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a
like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
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(6)
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Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease
Obligations) permitted by clause (4) of the second
paragraph of the covenant entitled Certain
CovenantsIncurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Equity covering only the assets acquired with
or financed by such Indebtedness;
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(7)
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Liens existing on the date of the Indenture (other than Liens
securing the Credit Facilities);
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(8)
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Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the notes (or
the Note Guarantees);
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(9)
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Liens on any property or asset acquired, constructed or improved
by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(a Purchase Money Lien), which (a) are in favor
of the seller of such property or assets, in favor of the Person
developing, constructing, repairing or improving such asset or
property, or in favor of the Person that provided the funding
for the acquisition, development, construction, repair or
improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property,
(b) are created within 360 days after the acquisition,
development, construction, repair or improvement,
(c) secure the purchase price or development, construction,
repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or
property in an amount up to 100% of the Fair Market Value of
such acquisition, construction or improvement of such asset or
property, and (d) are limited to the asset or property so
acquired, constructed or improved (including the proceeds
thereof, accessions thereto and upgrades thereof);
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S-63
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(10)
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Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted
Subsidiary or any Joint Venture owned by Regency Energy Partners
or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners to the
extent securing Non-Recourse Debt or other Indebtedness of such
Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture;
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(11)
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Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of
setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money
or instruments of Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries on deposit with or in possession of such
bank;
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(12)
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Liens to secure performance of Hedging Obligations of Regency
Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
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(13)
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Liens arising under construction contracts, interconnection
agreements, operating agreements, joint venture agreements,
partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farmout agreements,
division orders, contracts for purchase, gathering, processing,
sale, transportation or exchange of crude oil, natural gas
liquids, condensate and natural gas, natural gas storage
agreements, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements,
area of mutual interest agreements, real property leases and
other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business of
Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are
customary in the Permitted Business;
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(14)
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Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other
goods or proceeds of Regency Energy Partners or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Persons obligations
in respect of bankers acceptances or receivables
securitizations issued or created for the account of such Person
to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such
inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds and permitted
by the covenant described under Certain
CovenantsIncurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Equity;
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(15)
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Liens securing any Indebtedness equally and ratably with all
Obligations due under the notes or any Note Guarantee pursuant
to a contractual covenant that limits Liens in a manner
substantially similar to the covenant described above under
Certain CovenantsLiens;
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(16)
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Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of Regency
Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy
Partners; provided, however, that, after giving effect to any
such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all
Indebtedness then outstanding and secured by any Liens pursuant
to this clause (16) dates not exceed 5.0% of Regency Energy
Partners Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at such
time; and
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(17)
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any Lien renewing, extending, refinancing or refunding a Lien
permitted by clauses (1) through (16) above; provided
that (a) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by
such Lien does not exceed the principal amount of such
Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to the renewal,
extension, refinance or refund of such Lien, plus all accrued
interest on the Indebtedness secured thereby and the amount of
all fees, expenses and premiums incurred in connection
therewith, and (b) no assets encumbered by any such Lien
other than the assets permitted to be encumbered immediately
prior to such renewal, extension, refinance or refund are
encumbered thereby.
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After termination of the covenants referred to in the first
paragraph of Certain CovenantsTermination of
Covenants, for purposes of complying with the
Liens covenant, the Liens described in
clauses (1) and (17) of this definition of
Permitted Liens will be Permitted Liens only to the
extent those Liens secure Indebtedness not exceeding, at the
time of determination, 10% of the Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets of Regency Energy Partners. Once effective, this 10%
limitation on Permitted Liens will continue to apply during any
later period in which the notes do not have an Investment
Grade Rating by both Rating Agencies.
S-64
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any
Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of
which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or
discharge, other Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany
Indebtedness); provided that:
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(1)
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the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness
renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged
(plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of
all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in
connection therewith);
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(2)
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such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity
date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the
Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being
renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;
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(3)
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if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced,
replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of
payment to the notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to,
the notes or the Note Guarantees, on terms at least as favorable
to the holders of notes as those contained in the documentation
governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced,
replaced, defeased or discharged; and
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(4)
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such Indebtedness is incurred either by Regency Energy Partners
or by the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on or
guarantor of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded,
refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.
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Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or
government or other entity.
Qualified Owner means any of (i) LE GP, L.L.C.,
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.,
(ii) any Person who Beneficially owns more than 50% of the
Voting Stock of any entity specified in clause (i) above or
who Beneficially owns sufficient Equity Interests in such entity
to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or
other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity and
(iii) any subsidiary of any entity specified in either
clause (i) or clause (ii) above.
Rating Agencies means Moodys and S&P.
Ratings Categories means:
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(1)
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with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA,
AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor
categories); and
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(2)
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with respect to Moodys, any of the following categories:
Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent
successor categories).
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Ratings Decline means a decrease in the rating of
the notes by both Moodys and S&P by one or more
gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as
well as between Rating Categories). In determining whether the
rating of the notes has decreased by one or more gradations,
gradations within Ratings Categories, namely + orfor
S&P, and 1, 2 and 3 for Moodys, will be taken into
account; for example, in the case of S&P, a ratings decline
either from BB+ to BB or BB to BB- will constitute a decrease of
one gradation.
Reporting Default means a Default described in
clause (4) under Events of Default and
Remedies.
S-65
Restricted Investment means an Investment other than
a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary of a Person means any
Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted
Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in the indenture to the
contrary, Finance Corp. shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of
Regency Energy Partners.
S&P means Standard & Poors
Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Senior Indebtedness means with respect to any
Person, Indebtedness of such Person, unless the instrument
creating or evidencing such Indebtedness provides that such
Indebtedness is subordinate in right of payment to the notes or
the Note Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be.
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that
would be a significant subsidiary as defined in
Article 1,
Rule 1-02
of
Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation
is in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any
installment of interest or principal on any series of
Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or
principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent
obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or
principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment
thereof.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any specified
Person:
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(1)
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any corporation, association or other business entity (other
than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more
than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock is at the
time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person
or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a
combination thereof); and
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(2)
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any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited
liability company (a) the sole general partner or member of
which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or
(b) if there is more than a single general partner or
member, either (x) the only managing general partners or
managing members of which are such Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or
(y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a
majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member
interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited
liability company, respectively.
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Treasury Rate means, with respect to any redemption
date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United
States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled
and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical
Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at
least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if
such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly
available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to
the period from the redemption date to December 1, 2014;
provided, however, that if such period is not equal to the
constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which
a weekly average yield is given, Regency Energy Partners shall
obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to
the nearest one twelfth of a year) from the weekly average
yields of United States Treasury securities for which such
yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption
date to December 1, 2014, is less than one year, the weekly
average yield on actually traded United States Treasury
securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be
used. Regency Energy Partners will (a) calculate the
Treasury Rate on the second business day preceding the
applicable redemption date and (b) prior to such redemption
date file with the trustee an officers certificate setting
forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing
the calculation of each in reasonable detail.
S-66
2013 Notes Issue Date means December 12,
2006, the date of original issue of the Issuers
83/8% Senior
Notes due 2013.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of
Regency Energy Partners (other than Finance Corp. or any
successor to it) that is designated by the Board of Directors of
the General Partner as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a
resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent
that such Subsidiary:
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(1)
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except to the extent permitted by subclause (2)(b) of the
definition of Permitted Business Investments, has no
Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
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(2)
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except as permitted under clause (4) of the covenant
described above under the caption Certain
CovenantsTransactions with Affiliates, is not party
to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with
Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency
Energy Partners unless the terms of any such agreement,
contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to
Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary than those
that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not
Affiliates of Regency Energy Partners;
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(3)
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is a Person with respect to which neither Regency Energy
Partners nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct
or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional
Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such
Persons financial condition or to cause such Person to
achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
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(4)
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has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided
credit support for any Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
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All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be also
Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
Voting Stock of any specified Person as of any date
means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency)
to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when
applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years
obtained by dividing:
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(1)
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the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the
amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial
maturity or other required payments of principal, including
payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by
(b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-
twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of
such payment; by
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(2)
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the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
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S-67
CERTAIN
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal
income tax considerations that may be relevant to the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of the notes. This
discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), applicable
U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial
authority and administrative interpretations, as of the date of
this prospectus supplement, all of which are subject to change,
possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different
interpretations. We cannot assure you that the Internal Revenue
Service (the IRS) will not challenge one or more of
the tax consequences described in this discussion, and we have
not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS
or an opinion of counsel with respect to the U.S. federal
tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of the notes.
This discussion is limited to holders who purchase the notes in
this offering for a price equal to the issue price of the notes
(i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the
notes is sold other than to bond houses, brokers or similar
persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters,
placement agents or wholesalers) and who hold the notes as
capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This
discussion does not address the tax considerations arising under
the laws of any foreign, state, local or other jurisdiction. In
addition, this discussion does not address all tax
considerations that may be important to a particular holder in
light of the holders circumstances, or to certain
categories of investors that may be subject to special rules,
such as:
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dealers in securities or currencies;
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traders in securities that have elected the
mark-to-market
method of accounting for their securities;
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U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency
is not the U.S. dollar;
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persons holding notes as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion
or other synthetic security or integrated
transaction;
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U.S. expatriates;
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financial institutions;
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insurance companies;
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regulated investment companies;
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real estate investment trusts;
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persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;
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entities that are tax-exempt for U.S. federal income tax
purposes; and
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partnerships and other pass-through entities and holders of
interests therein.
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If any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
income tax purposes holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner
generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership acquiring the notes, you are urged to consult your
tax advisor about the U.S. federal income tax consequences
of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes.
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Investors considering the purchase of notes are urged to
consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the
U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations
as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of the notes under U.S. federal estate or gift
tax laws, under the laws of any state, local or foreign
jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.
Tax
Consequences to U.S. Holders
You are a U.S. holder for purposes of this
discussion if you are a beneficial owner of a note and you are
for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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an individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident
alien;
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a corporation, or other entity subject to tax as a corporation
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that was created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state
thereof or the District of Columbia;
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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or
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a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one
or more United States persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust, or that has a valid election
in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be
treated as a United States person.
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Interest on the Notes
Interest on the notes generally will be taxable to you as
ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued in
accordance with your regular method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Certain
Additional Payments
In certain circumstances (see Description of the
NotesOptional Redemption and Description of
the NotesRepurchase at the Option of HoldersChange
of Control), we may be obligated to pay amounts on the
notes that are in excess of stated interest or principal on the
notes. These potential payments may implicate the provisions of
the U.S. Treasury Regulations relating to contingent
payment debt instruments. We intend to take the position
that the notes should not be treated as contingent payment debt
instruments because of the possibility of such payments. This
position is based in part on assumptions regarding the
likelihood, as of the date of issuance of the notes, that such
additional payments will not have to be paid. Assuming such
position is respected, a holder generally would not be required
to include any income in respect of the foregoing contingencies
unless and until any of such contingencies occurred. Our
position is binding on a holder unless such holder discloses its
contrary position to the IRS in the manner that is required by
applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations. Our determination,
however, is not binding on the IRS, and it is possible that the
IRS may take a different position, in which case the timing of
income inclusion may be different from the consequences
discussed herein, and a holder might be required to accrue
interest income at a higher rate than the stated interest rate
and to treat as ordinary interest income any gain realized on
the taxable disposition of the note.
Disposition
of the Notes
You will generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale,
redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of
a note. This gain or loss will equal the difference between your
adjusted tax basis in the note and the proceeds you receive
(excluding any proceeds attributable to accrued but unpaid
stated interest, which will be recognized as ordinary interest
income to the extent you have not previously included such
amounts in income). The proceeds you receive will include the
amount of any cash and the fair market
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value of any other property received for the note. Your adjusted
tax basis in the note will generally equal the amount you paid
for the note. The gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or
loss if you held the note for more than one year at the time of
the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other disposition.
Long-term capital gains of individuals, estates and trusts
generally are subject to a reduced rate of U.S. federal
income tax (that is scheduled to increase for taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 2011). The deductibility
of capital losses may be subject to limitation.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting will apply to payments of interest on, and
the proceeds of the sale or other disposition (including a
retirement or redemption) of, notes held by you, and backup
withholding (at the applicable rate) may apply to such payments
unless you provide the appropriate intermediary with a taxpayer
identification number, certified under penalties of perjury, as
well as certain other information or otherwise establish an
exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any
amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowable
as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability,
if any, and a refund may be obtained if the amounts withheld
exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and
you timely provide the required information or appropriate claim
form to the IRS.
Tax
Consequences to
Non-U.S.
Holders
You are a
non-U.S. holder
for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of
notes that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust and
that is not a U.S. holder.
Interest
on the Notes
Payments to you of interest on the notes generally will be
exempt from withholding of U.S. federal income tax under
the portfolio interest exemption if you properly
certify as to your foreign status as described below, and:
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you do not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of our
capital or profits interests;
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you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is
related to us (actually or constructively);
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you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the notes is in
connection with an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan
agreement entered into in the ordinary course of your trade or
business; and
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interest on the notes is not effectively connected with your
conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
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The portfolio interest exemption and several of the special
rules for
non-U.S. holders
described below generally apply only if you appropriately
certify as to your foreign status. You can generally meet this
certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS
Form W-8BEN
or appropriate substitute form to us, or our paying agent. If
you hold the notes through a financial institution or other
agent acting on your behalf, you may be required to provide
appropriate certifications to the agent. Your agent will then
generally be required to provide appropriate certifications to
us or our paying agent, either directly or through other
intermediaries. Special rules apply to foreign estates and
trusts, and in certain circumstances certifications as to
foreign status of trust owners or beneficiaries may have to be
provided to us or our paying agent. In addition, special rules
apply to qualified intermediaries that enter into withholding
agreements with the IRS.
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments
of interest made to you will be subject to U.S. federal
withholding tax at a 30% rate, unless you provide us or our
paying agent with a properly executed IRS
Form W-8BEN
(or successor form) claiming an exemption from (or a reduction
of)
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withholding under the benefit of a tax treaty (in which case,
you generally will be required to provide a U.S. taxpayer
identification number), or the payments of interest are
effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business
in the United States and you meet the certification requirements
described below. (See Income or Gain Effectively
Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business).
Disposition
of Notes
You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on any gain realized on the sale, redemption, exchange,
retirement or other taxable disposition of a note unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by you of a
U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable
income tax treaty, is treated as attributable to a permanent
establishment or fixed base maintained by you in the United
States); or
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you are an individual who has been present in the United States
for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and
certain other requirements are met.
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If you are a
non-U.S. holder
described in the first bullet point above, you will be subject
to tax as described below (See Income or Gain
Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business).
If you are a
non-U.S. holder
described in the second bullet point above, you generally will
be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax on the
gain derived from the sale or other disposition, which may be
offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.
Income
or Gain Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or
Business
If any interest on the notes or gain from the sale, exchange or
other taxable disposition of the notes is effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business conducted by you, then the
income or gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax
at regular graduated income tax rates, unless an applicable
income tax treaty provides otherwise. Effectively connected
income will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax if you
satisfy certain certification requirements by providing to us or
our paying agent a properly executed IRS
Form W-8ECI
(or IRS
Form W-8BEN
if a treaty exemption applies) or successor form. If you are a
corporation, that portion of your earnings and profits that is
effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business may
also be subject to a branch profits tax at a 30%
rate, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a
lower rate.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments to you of interest on a note, and amounts withheld from
such payments, if any, generally will be required to be reported
to the IRS and to you.
United States backup withholding (at the applicable rate)
generally will not apply to payments to you of interest on a
note if the statement described in Interest on the
Notes is duly provided or you otherwise establish an
exemption, provided that we do not have actual knowledge or
reason to know that you are a United States person.
Payment of the proceeds of a disposition of a note (including a
retirement or redemption) effected by the U.S. office of a
U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information
reporting requirements and backup withholding unless you
properly certify under penalties of perjury as to your foreign
status and certain other conditions are met or you otherwise
establish an exemption. Information reporting requirements and
backup withholding generally will not apply to any payment of
the proceeds of the disposition of a note effected outside the
United States by a foreign office of a broker. However, unless
such a broker has documentary evidence in its records that you
are a
non-U.S. holder
and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise
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establish an exemption, information reporting will apply to a
payment of the proceeds of a disposition of a note effected
outside the United States by a broker that has certain
relationships with the United States.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld
under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit
against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and
a refund may be obtained if the amounts withheld exceed your
actual U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and you
timely provide the required information or appropriate claim
form to the IRS.
Recently
Enacted United States Legislation
Recently enacted United States legislation generally imposes an
additional tax of 3.8% on the net investment income
of certain individuals, trusts and estates for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2012. Among other items, net
investment income generally includes gross income from interest
and net gain attributable to the disposition of certain
property, less certain deductions. Prospective investors should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible
implications of this legislation in their particular
circumstances.
The preceding discussion of certain U.S. federal income
tax considerations is for general information only and is not
tax advice. We urge each prospective investor to consult its tax
advisor regarding the particular federal, state, local and
foreign tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of
our notes, including the consequences of any proposed change in
applicable laws.
S-72
UNDERWRITING
We and the underwriters for the offering named below have
entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the
notes. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has
severally agreed to purchase the principal amount of notes
indicated in the following table.
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Principal
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Underwriter
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Amount of Notes
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Banc of America Securities LLC
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$150,000,000
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RBS Securities Inc.
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102,000,000
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
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72,000,000
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Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
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72,000,000
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Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
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72,000,000
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
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72,000,000
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
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30,000,000
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SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
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30,000,000
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Total
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$600,000,000
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The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the
notes being offered, if any are taken.
Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be
offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover of this prospectus supplement. If all the notes are not
sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change
the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of
the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and
acceptance and subject to the underwriters right to reject
any order in whole or in part.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. The notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. We have
been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters intend to
make a market in the notes but are not obligated to do so and
may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No
assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market
for the notes.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase
and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may
include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to
cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the
sale by the underwriters of a greater number of notes than they
are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the
purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price
of the notes while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when
a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of
the underwriting discount received by it because the
representatives have repurchased notes sold by or for the
account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering
transactions.
These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases
by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize,
maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the notes. As a
result, the price of the notes may be higher than the price that
otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities
are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at
any time without notice. These transactions may be effected in
the
over-the-counter
market or otherwise.
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the
offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will
be approximately $925,000.
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We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against, or
contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to
make in respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act).
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the
underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a
broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity
securities (or related derivative securities) and financial
instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for
the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long
and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such
investment and securities activities may involve our securities
and instruments. Affiliates of Banc of America Securities LLC,
RBS Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities,
LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and SunTrust Robinson
Humphrey, Inc. are lenders under our revolving credit facility.
An affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC serves as
administrative agent and collateral agent under our revolving
credit facility. Affiliates of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Banc
of America Securities LLC and RBS Securities Inc. serve as joint
lead arrangers and joint book managers under our revolving
credit facility. Affiliates of Banc of America Securities LLC
and RBS Securities Inc. serve as co-syndication agents under our
revolving credit facility. An affiliate of Citigroup Global
Markets Inc. serves as senior managing agent under our revolving
credit facility, and an affiliate of Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated serves as co-documentation agent under our
revolving credit facility. An affiliate of Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC serves as the trustee under the indentures for
our 2013 Notes and our 2016 Notes. Affiliates of Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc. and SunTrust Robinson
Humphrey, Inc. are counterparties to some of our interest rate
swaps. Further, affiliates of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBS
Securities Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are
counterparties under several of our commodity price hedging
contracts. Banc of America Securities LLC is also acting as
dealer manager and solicitation agent of our Offer. We intend to
use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay
indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility. As
a result affiliates of all the underwriters, except for Credit
Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, will receive a portion of the
proceeds from this offering.
We expect that delivery of the notes will be made against
payment therefor on or about October 27, 2010, which will
be the tenth business day following the date of pricing of the
notes (such settlement cycle being herein referred to as
T+10). Under
Rule 15c6-1
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act), trades in the secondary market
generally are required to settle in three business days, unless
the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise.
Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade notes on the date of
pricing or the next two succeeding business days will be
required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will
settle T+10, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the
time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement.
Purchasers of notes who wish to trade notes on the date of
pricing or the next two succeeding business days should consult
their own advisor.
S-74
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the notes in this offering will be passed upon
for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas.
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters
by Mayer Brown LLP, Houston, Texas.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Regency Energy Partners
LP as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009,
managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,
and the consolidated balance sheet of Regency GP LP and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, have been
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audited historical financial statements of Midcontinent
Express Pipeline LLC, included in Exhibit 99.2 of Regency
Energy Partners LPs Current Report on
Form 8-K/A
dated July 29, 2010, have been so incorporated in reliance
on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
INFORMATION
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this prospectus, the accompany base
prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference
include forward-looking statements, which include
any statements that do not relate strictly to historical or
current facts. Statements using words such as
anticipate, believe, intend,
project, plan, expect,
continue, estimate, goal,
forecast, may or similar expressions
help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe
our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions and current expectations and projections about
future events, we cannot give assurances that such expectations
will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject
to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These
additional risks and uncertainties may include,
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volatility in the price of oil, natural gas and NGLs;
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declines in the credit markets and the availability of credit
for us as well as for producers connected to our pipelines and
our gathering and processing facilities, and for customers of
our contract compression business;
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the level of creditworthiness of, and performance by, our
counterparties and customers;
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our ability to access capital to fund organic growth projects
and acquisitions, including our ability to obtain debt and
equity financing on satisfactory terms;
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our use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity
and interest rate risks;
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the amount of collateral required to be posted from
time-to-time
in our transactions;
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changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and demand for our
services;
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changes in laws and regulations impacting the midstream sector
of the natural gas industry, including those that relate to
climate change and environmental protection;
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weather and other natural phenomena;
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industry changes including the impact of consolidations and
changes in competition;
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regulation of transportation rates on our natural gas pipelines;
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our ability to obtain indemnification for environmental cleanup
liabilities and to clean up any hazardous materials release on
satisfactory terms;
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our ability to obtain required approvals for construction or
modernization of our facilities and the timing of production
from such facilities; and
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the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by
accounting standard setting boards.
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If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results
may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated,
projected or expected.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the
particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we
file with the SEC at the principal offices of the SEC located at
Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E.,
Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such
materials can be obtained by mail at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E.,
Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information about the operation of the Public
Reference Room. Materials also may be obtained free of charge
from the SECs website
(http://www.sec.gov),
which contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding companies that file electronically
with the SEC.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
Any information that we file prior to the termination of this
offering under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, and that is deemed filed with the SEC
is incorporated by reference and will automatically update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the
documents listed below:
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Our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed on
March 1, 2010;
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Our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, filed on May 7,
2010;
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Our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
and
Form 10-Q/A
for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, each filed on
August 9, 2010; and
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Our Current Reports on
Form 8-K
and
Form 8-K/A
filed on January 26, 2010, March 4, 2010,
April 27, 2010, April 30, 2010, May 11, 2010,
May 28, 2010, June 7, 2010, June 11, 2010,
July 1, 2010, July 15, 2010, July 29, 2010 (two
reports), August 10, 2010 (three reports), August 12,
2010, September 1, 2010, September 13, 2010 and
October 12, 2010, each to the extent filed and
not furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the
Exchange Act.
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You may obtain the documents incorporated by reference into this
prospectus from the SEC through the SECs website at the
address provided above. The documents are also available, free
of charge, through our website, www.regencyenergy.com, as
soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other
information are electronically filed with or furnished to the
SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not
incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not
constitute a part of this prospectus. You may also request a
copy of these filings at no cost, by making written or telephone
requests for such copies to:
Regency
Energy Partners LP
Investor Relations
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 750-1771.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by
reference or provided in this prospectus. If information in
incorporated documents conflicts with information in this
prospectus, you should rely on the most recent information. If
information in an incorporated document conflicts with
information in another incorporated document, you should rely on
the most recent incorporated document. You should not assume
that the information in this prospectus supplement or any
document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date
other than the date of those documents. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with any information.
S-77
PROSPECTUS
Regency Energy Partners
LP
Regency Energy Finance
Corp.
Debt Securities
Regency Energy Partners LP may, in one or more offerings, offer
and sell its debt securities, which may be fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by one or more of its subsidiaries.
We will provide information in the related prospectus supplement
for the trading market, if any, for any debt securities Regency
Energy Partners LP may offer.
Regency Energy Finance Corp. may act as co-issuer of the debt
securities, and all other direct or indirect subsidiaries of
Regency Energy Partners LP, other than minor
subsidiaries as such item is interpreted in the securities
regulations governing financial reporting for guarantors, may
guarantee the debt securities.
We will offer the securities in amounts, at prices and on terms
to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the
time of our offerings. This prospectus describes only the
general terms of these securities and the general manner in
which we will offer the securities. The specific terms of any
securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this
prospectus. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific
manner in which we will offer the securities, and also may add,
update or change information contained in this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus
supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein
and therein carefully before you invest in our securities. This
prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities
unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our debt securities involves risks. You should
carefully consider the risk factors described under Risk
Factors beginning on page 4 of this prospectus before
you make an investment in our debt securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this prospectus is October 13, 2010.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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16
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and
may be changed. You should rely only on the information provided
in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any
prospectus supplement or documents to which we otherwise refer
you. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with
different information. We are not making an offer of any
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus,
any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by
reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the
document in which such information is contained or such other
date referred to in such document, regardless of the time of any
sale or issuance of a security.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC) utilizing a shelf registration
process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, over
time, offer and sell any combination of the securities described
in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus
provides you with a general description of the securities we may
offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information
about the terms of that offering and the securities offered by
us in that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add,
update or change information in this prospectus. You should read
both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with
additional information described under the headings Where
You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by
Reference.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions
contained in some of the documents described in this prospectus,
but reference is made to the actual documents for complete
information. All of the summaries are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the actual documents. Copies of some of
the documents referred to in this prospectus have been filed or
will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and
you may obtain copies of those documents as described below in
the section entitled Where You Can Find More
Information.
As used in this prospectus, Regency Energy Partners,
the Partnership, we, our,
us or like terms mean Regency Energy Partners LP and
its subsidiaries. References to our general partner
or the General Partner refer to Regency GP LP, the
general partner of the Partnership, and its general partner,
Regency GP LLC, which effectively manages the business and
affairs of the Partnership.
1
CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters discussed in this prospectus include
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are identified as any statement that does not relate
strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words
such as anticipate, believe,
intend, project, plan,
expect, continue, estimate,
goal, forecast, may or
similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements.
Although we believe our forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections
about future events, we cannot give assurances that such
expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking
statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. These additional risks and uncertainties may
include,
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volatility in the price of oil, natural gas and natural gas
liquids (NGLs);
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declines in the credit markets and the availability of credit
for us as well as for producers connected to our pipelines and
our gathering and processing facilities, and for customers of
our contract compression business;
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the level of creditworthiness of, and performance by, our
counterparties and customers;
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our ability to access capital to fund organic growth projects
and acquisitions, including our ability to obtain debt and
equity financing on satisfactory terms;
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our use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity
and interest rate risks;
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the amount of collateral required to be posted from
time-to-time
in our transactions;
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changes in commodity prices, interest rates and demand for our
services;
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changes in laws and regulations impacting the midstream sector
of the natural gas industry, including those that relate to
climate change and environmental protection;
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weather and other natural phenomena;
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industry changes including the impact of consolidations and
changes in competition;
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regulation of transportation rates on our natural gas pipelines;
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our ability to obtain indemnification for environmental cleanup
liabilities and to clean up any hazardous materials release on
satisfactory terms;
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our ability to obtain required approvals for construction or
modernization of our facilities and the timing of production
from such facilities; and
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the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by
accounting standard setting boards.
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If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results
may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated,
projected or expected.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the
particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
2
REGENCY
ENERGY PARTNERS LP
AND
REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
We are a growth-oriented publicly traded Delaware limited
partnership, engaged in the gathering, treating, processing,
compressing and transporting of natural gas and NGLs. We focus
on providing midstream services in some of the most prolific
natural gas producing regions in the United States, including
the Haynesville, Eagle Ford, Barnett, Fayetteville and Marcellus
Shales. Our systems are located in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas,
Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Alabama and the mid-continent
region of the United States, which includes Kansas, Colorado and
Oklahoma.
We divide our operations into four business segments:
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Gathering and Processing. We provide
wellhead-to-market
services to producers of natural gas, which include transporting
raw natural gas from the wellhead through gathering systems,
processing raw natural gas to separate NGLs from the raw natural
gas and selling or delivering pipeline-quality natural gas and
NGLs to various markets and pipeline systems.
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Transportation: We own a 49.99% general
partner interest in RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co.
(HPC) which delivers natural gas from northwest
Louisiana to downstream pipelines and markets through the
450-mile
Regency Intrastate Gas pipeline system. We also recently
acquired a 49.9% interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC,
a joint venture entity owning a natural gas pipeline with
approximately 500 miles of pipeline stretching from
southeast Oklahoma through northeast Texas, northern Louisiana
and central Mississippi to an interconnect with the
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line system in Butler, Alabama.
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Contract Services: We provide turn-key natural
gas compression services whereby we guarantee our customers 98%
mechanical availability of our compression units for land
installations and 96% mechanical availability for over-water
installations. We also provide a full range of field services,
including gas cooling, dehydration, JT plant leasing and sulfur
treating services through the recently acquired Zephyr Gas
Services, LP.
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Corporate and Others: Our corporate and others
segment comprises regulated entities and our corporate offices.
Revenues in this segment include the collection of the partial
reimbursement of general and administrative costs from HPC.
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All of our midstream assets are located in well-established
areas of natural gas production that are characterized by
long-lived, predictable reserves.
Regency Energy Finance Corp. is one of our wholly owned
subsidiaries. It has nominal assets and does not and will not
conduct any operations or have any employees. It was formed in
2006 for the sole purpose of acting as a co-issuer for our debt
securities and its activities will be limited to co-issuing our
debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental
thereto.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2001 Bryan
Street, Suite 3700, Dallas, Texas 75201 and our phone
number is
(214) 750-1771.
For additional information as to our business, properties and
financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in
Where You Can Find More Information.
3
RISK
FACTORS
The nature of our business activities subjects us to certain
hazards and risks. In evaluating an investment in our
securities, you should carefully consider the following risk
factors and all of the risk factors and other information
included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus
or any prospectus supplement, including those included in our
most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K
and, if applicable, in our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q
and Current Reports on
Form 8-K.
If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial
condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline
and you could lose all or part of your investment. When we offer
and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we
may include additional risk factors relevant to those securities
in the prospectus supplement.
Risks
Related to the Debt Securities
We
have a holding company structure in which our subsidiaries
conduct our operations and own our operating
assets.
We have a holding company structure, and our subsidiaries
conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating
assets. We have no significant assets other than the ownership
interests in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make
required payments on the debt securities depends on the
performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute
funds to us. The ability of our subsidiaries to make
distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things,
our revolving credit facility and applicable state partnership
laws and other laws and regulations. Pursuant to our revolving
credit facility, we may be required to establish cash reserves
for the future payment of principal and interest on the amounts
outstanding under such facility. If we are unable to obtain the
funds necessary to pay the principal amount at maturity of the
debt securities, or to repurchase the debt securities upon the
occurrence of a change of control, we may be required to adopt
one or more alternatives, such as a refinancing of the debt
securities. We cannot assure you that we would be able to
refinance the debt securities.
We do
not have the same flexibility as other types of organizations to
accumulate cash, which may limit cash available to service the
debt securities or to repay them at maturity.
Unlike a corporation, our partnership agreement requires us to
distribute, on a quarterly basis, 100% of our available cash to
our unitholders of record and our general partner. Available
cash is generally all of our cash receipts adjusted for cash
distributions and net changes to reserves. Our general partner
will determine the amount and timing of such distributions and
has broad discretion to establish and make additions to our
reserves or the reserves of our subsidiaries in amounts our
general partner determines in its reasonable discretion to be
necessary or appropriate:
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to provide for the proper conduct of our business and our
subsidiaries (including reserves for future capital expenditures
and for our anticipated future credit needs),
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to comply with applicable law or any of our debt instruments or
other agreements, or
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to provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and our
general partner for any one or more of the next four calendar
quarters.
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Although our payment obligations to our unitholders are
subordinate to our payment obligations to debtholders, the value
of our units will decrease in direct correlation with any
decrease in the amount we distribute per unit. Accordingly, if
we experience a liquidity problem in the future, we may not be
able to issue equity to recapitalize.
We
require a significant amount of cash to service our
indebtedness. Our ability to generate cash depends on many
factors beyond our control.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our
indebtedness, including our outstanding senior notes and any
future issuance of debt securities, and to fund planned capital
expenditures depends on our ability to generate cash in the
future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general
economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and
other factors that are beyond our control.
4
We cannot assure you that we will generate sufficient cash flow
from operations or that future borrowings will be available to
us under our revolving credit facility or otherwise in an amount
sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including our
outstanding senior notes and any future issuance of debt
securities, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to
refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including our
outstanding senior notes and any future issuance of debt
securities, on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we
will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including our
outstanding senior notes and any future issuances of debt
securities, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
The
guarantees by certain of our subsidiaries of our outstanding
senior notes and any future issuances of debt securities could
be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances,
and a court may try to subordinate or void these subsidiary
guarantees.
Under U.S. bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of
state fraudulent transfer laws, a guarantee can be voided or
claims under a guarantee may be subordinated to all other debts
of that guarantor if, among other things, the guarantor, at the
time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee:
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intended to hinder, delay or defraud any present or future
creditor or received less than reasonably equivalent value or
fair consideration for the incurrence of the guarantee;
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was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence;
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was engaged in a business or transaction for which the
guarantors remaining assets constituted unreasonably small
capital; or
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intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay those debts as they mature.
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In addition, any payment by that guarantor under a guarantee
could be voided and required to be returned to the guarantor or
to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the guarantor. The
measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer
laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding
to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred.
Generally, however, a subsidiary guarantor would be considered
insolvent if:
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the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was
greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets;
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the present saleable value of its assets was less than the
amount that would be required to pay its probable liability,
including contingent liabilities, on its existing debts as they
become absolute and mature; or
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it could not pay its debts as they became due.
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5
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus
supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of
securities registered pursuant to this registration statement
for general partnership purposes, which may include, among other
things:
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the repayment or repurchase of outstanding indebtedness;
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working capital;
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capital expenditures; and
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acquisitions.
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The actual application of proceeds we receive from the sale of
any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will
be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to
such offering.
6
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The table below sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed
charges for each of the periods indicated. For purposes of
computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
consist of income from continuing operations before adjustment
for equity income from equity method investees plus fixed
charges, amortization of capitalized interest and distributed
income from investees accounted for under the equity method.
Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized and
an estimated interest component of rent expense.
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Successor
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Predecessor
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Period from
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Period from
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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Year Ended
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May 26, 2010 to
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January 1, 2010
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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December 31,
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June 30, 2010
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to May 25, 2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges(1)
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2.71
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2.49
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(1)
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Earnings were insufficient to cover
fixed charges by $13.1 million and $8.7 million for
the period from May 26, 2010 to June 30, 2010 and the
period from January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010,
respectively, and by $14.2 million, $8.2 million and
$14.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005, respectively.
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7
DESCRIPTION
OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES
General
Regency Energy Partners LP may issue debt securities in one or
more series, and Regency Energy Finance Corp. may be a co-issuer
of one or more series of debt securities. Regency Energy Finance
Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware
in 2006, is wholly owned by Regency Energy Partners LP and has
no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer
of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing
debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental
thereto. When used in this Description of Our Debt
Securities section, the terms we,
us, our and issuers refer
jointly to Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Energy Finance
Corp., and the terms Regency Energy Partners and
Regency Finance refer strictly to Regency Energy
Partners LP and Regency Energy Finance Corp., respectively.
We will issue our debt securities under an indenture among us,
as issuers, the trustee and any subsidiary guarantors. The debt
securities will be governed by the provisions of the indenture
and those made part of the indenture by reference to the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the Trust Indenture
Act). A form of the indenture is filed as an exhibit to
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We have not restated the indenture in its entirety in this
description. You should read the relevant indenture because it,
and not this description, controls your rights as holders of the
debt securities. Capitalized terms used in this summary have the
meanings specified in the indentures.
The debt securities will be:
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our direct general obligations;
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senior debt securities; and
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issued under an indenture among us, any subsidiary guarantors
and a trustee.
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Specific
Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities in the Prospectus
Supplement
A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture or
authorizing resolutions relating to any series of debt
securities being offered will include specific terms relating to
the offering. These terms will include some or all of the
following:
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whether Regency Finance will be a co-issuer of the debt
securities;
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the guarantors of the debt securities, if any;
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the title of the debt securities;
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the total principal amount of the debt securities;
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the assets, if any, that are pledged as security for the payment
of the debt securities;
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whether we will issue the debt securities in individual
certificates to each holder in registered form, or in the form
of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depositary
on behalf of holders;
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the prices at which we will issue the debt securities;
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the portion of the principal amount that will be payable if the
maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;
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the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities will
be payable, if not U.S. dollars;
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the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be
payable;
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the interest rate that the debt securities will bear and the
interest payment dates for the debt securities;
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any conversion or exchange provisions;
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any optional redemption provisions;
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any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to
repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;
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any changes to or additional events of default or
covenants; and
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any other terms of the debt securities.
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We may offer and sell debt securities, including original issue
discount debt securities, at a substantial discount below their
principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe
special U.S. federal income tax and any other
considerations applicable to those securities. In addition, the
prospectus supplement may describe certain special
U.S. federal income tax or other considerations applicable
to any debt securities that are denominated in a currency other
than U.S. dollars.
Guarantees
If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a series of
debt securities, the subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners
specified in the prospectus supplement will fully and
unconditionally guarantee to each holder and the trustee, on a
joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt
securities of that series when and as the same become due and
payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption or
repurchase, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise. If a
series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be
guaranteed by all of our wholly owned subsidiaries other than
minor subsidiaries (except Regency Finance) as such
term is interpreted in securities regulations governing
financial reporting for guarantors. The prospectus supplement
will describe any limitation on the maximum amount of any
particular guarantee and the conditions under which guarantees
may be released.
The guarantees will be general obligations of the guarantors.
Consolidation,
Merger or Asset Sale
The indenture will, in general, allow us to consolidate or merge
with or into another domestic entity. It will also allow each
issuer to sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of
all or substantially all of its assets to another domestic
entity. However, the indenture will impose certain requirements
with respect to any consolidation or merger with or into an
entity, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other
disposition of all or substantially all of an issuers
assets, including:
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the remaining or acquiring entity must be organized under the
laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia; provided that, if Regency Finance is a co-issuer, then
it may not merge or consolidate with or into another entity
other than a corporation satisfying such requirement for so long
as Regency Energy Partners is not a corporation;
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the remaining or acquiring entity must expressly assume the
issuers obligations under the indenture; and
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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default
or Event of Default (as defined under Events
of Default and Remedies below) would occur or be
continuing.
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The remaining or acquiring entity will be substituted for the
issuer in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been
an original party to the indenture, and, except in the case of a
lease of all or substantially all of the assets of an issuer,
the issuer will be released from any further obligations under
the indenture.
No
Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the
debt securities will not contain any provisions that protect the
holders of the debt securities in the event of a change of
control of us or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction,
whether or not such transaction results in a change of control
of us.
Modification
of Indentures
We may supplement or amend the indenture if the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of each series issued under the indenture affected by
the supplement or amendment
9
consent to it. Further, the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any
series may waive past defaults under the indenture and
compliance by us with our covenants with respect to the debt
securities of that series only. Those holders may not, however,
waive any default in any payment on any debt security of that
series or compliance with a provision that cannot be
supplemented or amended without the consent of each holder
affected. Without the consent of each outstanding debt security
affected, no modification of the indenture or waiver may:
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities
whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
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reduce the principal of or extend the fixed maturity of any debt
security;
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reduce the premium payable upon redemption or change the time of
the redemption of the debt securities;
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reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on
any debt security;
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except as otherwise permitted under the indenture, release any
security that may have been granted with respect to the debt
securities;
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make any debt security payable in currency other than that
stated in the debt securities;
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impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal,
premium, if any, and interest on its debt securities on or after
the respective due dates or to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment;
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except as otherwise permitted in the indenture, release any
guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee or the
indenture or change any guarantee in any manner that would
adversely affect the rights of holders; or
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make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and
waiver provisions (except to increase any percentage set forth
therein).
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We may supplement or amend the indenture without the consent of
any holders of the debt securities in certain circumstances,
including:
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to establish the form or terms of any series of debt securities;
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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
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to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place
of certificated notes;
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to provide for the assumption of an issuers obligations to
holders of debt securities in the case of a merger or
consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of such
issuers assets;
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to add or release guarantors pursuant to the terms of the
indenture;
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to make any changes that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the holders of debt securities or that do not
adversely affect the rights under the indenture of any holder of
debt securities;
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to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act;
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to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under
the indenture of a successor trustee;
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to add any additional Events of Default; or
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to secure the debt securities
and/or the
guarantees.
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Events of
Default and Remedies
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement,
Event of Default, when used in the indenture, will
mean any of the following with respect to the debt securities of
any series:
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failure to pay when due, the interest on any debt security of
that series, and continuance of such failure for 30 days;
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failure to pay when due the principal of or any premium on any
debt security of that series;
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failure to pay when due any sinking fund payment with respect to
any debt securities of that series;
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failure on the part of the issuers to comply with the covenant
described under Consolidation, Merger or Asset
Sale;
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failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture that
continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the
issuers;
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of an
issuer or any guarantor of the debt securities of that series
(an insolvency event);
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if that series is guaranteed by any subsidiary of Regency Energy
Partners, the guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect
(except as provided in the indenture), is declared null and void
or the guarantor disaffirms its guarantee; or
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any other Event of Default provided under the terms of the debt
securities of that series.
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An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities
will not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any
other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. The
trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of
any default (except in the payment of principal, premium, if
any, or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to
be in the best interests of the holders.
If an insolvency event occurs with respect to either issuer, the
entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on,
all debt securities then outstanding will be due and payable
immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of
the trustee or any holders. If any other Event of Default for
any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee
or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the debt securities of that series may declare the entire
principal of, and accrued interest on, all the debt securities
of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this
happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of
that series can rescind the declaration.
Other than its duties in case of a default, the trustee is not
obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders,
unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or
indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or
indemnity, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of any series of debt securities may direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy
available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon
the trustee, for that series of debt securities.
No Limit
on Amount of Debt Securities
The indenture will not limit the amount of debt securities that
we may issue, unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus
supplement. The indenture will allow us to issue debt securities
of any series up to the aggregate principal amount that we
authorize.
Registration
of Notes
We will issue debt securities of a series only in registered
form, without coupons, unless otherwise indicated in the
prospectus supplement.
Minimum
Denominations
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the debt
securities will be issued only in principal amounts of $1,000
each or integral multiples of $1,000.
No
Personal Liability
None of the General Partner or the past, present or future
directors, officers, employees, incorporators, unitholders,
stockholders, partners, managers and members of the General
Partner or either issuer or any guarantor will have any
liability for the obligations of the issuers or any guarantors
under the indenture or the debt securities or
11
for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such
obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security,
each holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver
and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of
the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective under
federal securities laws, however, and it is the view of the SEC
that such a waiver is against public policy.
Payment
and Transfer
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar
under the indenture. The issuers may change the paying agent or
registrar without prior notice to the holders of debt
securities, and the issuers or any of their subsidiaries may act
as paying agent or registrar.
If a holder of debt securities has given wire transfer
instructions to the issuers, the issuers will make all payments
on the debt securities in accordance with those instructions.
All other payments on the debt securities will be made at the
corporate trust office of the trustee indicated in the
applicable prospectus supplement, unless the issuers elect to
make interest payments by check mailed to the holders at their
addresses set forth in the debt security register.
The trustee and any paying agent will repay to us upon request
any funds held by them for payments on the debt securities that
remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that
payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to
the money must look to us for payment as general creditors.
Exchange,
Registration and Transfer
Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
debt securities of the same series, the same total principal
amount and the same terms but in different authorized
denominations in accordance with the indenture. Holders may
present debt securities for exchange or registration of transfer
at the office of the registrar. The registrar will effect the
transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of
title and identity of the person making the request. We will not
charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or
exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require the
payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable for that
registration.
We will not be required to:
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issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of
a series either during a period of 15 business days prior to the
mailing of notice of redemption of the debt securities of that
series, or between a record date and the next succeeding
interest payment date; or
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register the transfer of or exchange any debt security selected
or called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any
debt security we are redeeming in part.
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Ranking
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment
with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The senior
debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to
all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the
collateral for that debt. We will disclose the amount of our
secured debt in the prospectus supplement.
Book
Entry, Delivery and Form
The debt securities of a particular series may be issued in
whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates
that will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York
(DTC). This means that we will not issue
certificates to each holder, except in the limited circumstances
described below. Instead, one or more global debt securities
will be issued to DTC, who will keep a computerized record of
its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have
purchased the debt securities. The participant will then keep a
record of its clients who purchased the debt securities. Unless
it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated debt
security, a global debt security may not be transferred, except
that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a
global debt security as a whole to one another.
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Beneficial interests in global debt securities will be shown on,
and transfers of global debt securities will be made only
through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.
DTC has provided us the following
information: DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
banking organization within the meaning of the New
York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a
clearing corporation within the meaning of the New
York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing agency
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act). DTC holds and provides asset servicing for
U.S. and
non-U.S. equity
issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market
instruments that DTCs participants (Direct
Participants) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the
post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and
other securities transactions in deposited securities, through
electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between
Direct Participants accounts. This eliminates the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. Direct
Participants include both U.S. and
non-U.S. securities
brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly
owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing
Corporation (DTCC). DTCC is owned by the users of
its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also
available to others such as both U.S. and
non-U.S. securities
brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing
corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or
indirectly (Indirect Participants). The DTC Rules
applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.
We will wire all payments on the global debt securities to
DTCs nominee. We and the trustee will treat DTCs
nominee as the owner of the global debt securities for all
purposes. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will
have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on
the global debt securities to owners of beneficial interests in
the global debt securities.
It is DTCs current practice, upon receipt of any payment
on the global debt securities, to credit Direct
Participants accounts on the payment date according to
their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global
debt securities as shown on DTCs records. In addition, it
is DTCs current practice to assign any consenting or
voting rights to Direct Participants whose accounts are credited
with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus
proxy. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in the global debt securities, and voting by
participants, will be governed by the customary practices
between the participants and owners of beneficial interests, as
is the case with debt securities held for the account of
customers registered in street name. However,
payments will be the responsibility of the participants and not
of DTC, the trustee or us.
Debt securities represented by a global debt security will be
exchangeable for certificated debt securities with the same
terms in authorized denominations only if:
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DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered
under applicable law and in either event a successor depositary
is not appointed by us within 90 days;
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an Event of Default occurs and DTC notifies the trustee of its
decision to require the debt securities of a series to no longer
be represented by a global debt security; or
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as otherwise specified by us in the prospectus supplement
pertaining to such debt securities.
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Satisfaction
and Discharge; Defeasance
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all outstanding debt securities of any series
issued thereunder, when:
(a) either:
(1) all outstanding debt securities of that series that
have been authenticated (except destroyed, lost, or stolen debt
securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities
for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust
and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the trustee
for cancellation; or
13
(2) all outstanding debt securities of that series that
have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have
become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and
payable 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 in any case we have
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with
the trustee as trust funds cash sufficient to pay at final
maturity or upon redemption of all debt securities not delivered
to the trustee for cancellation, including principal, premium,
if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of
maturity or redemption date;
(b) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums
payable by us under the indenture with respect to the debt
securities of that series; and
(c) we have delivered an officers certificate and an
opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions
precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
The debt securities of a particular series will be subject to
legal or covenant defeasance to the extent, and upon the terms
and conditions, set forth in the prospectus supplement.
Governing
Law
The indenture and all of the debt securities will be governed by
the laws of the State of New York.
The
Trustee
We will enter into the indenture with a trustee that is
qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act and with any
other trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental
indenture for a particular series of debt securities. Unless we
otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
initial trustee for each series of debt securities will be
U.S. Bank National Association. We may maintain a banking
relationship in the ordinary course of business with
U.S. Bank National Association and one or more of its
affiliates.
Resignation
or Removal of Trustee
If the trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee must either
eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and
in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the
Trust Indenture Act and the indenture. Any resignation will
require the appointment of a successor trustee under the
indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
indenture.
The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one
or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be
appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities
of any series may remove the trustee with respect to the debt
securities of such series.
Limitations
on Trustee if It Is Our Creditor
The indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of
the trustee, in the event that it becomes a creditor of an
issuer or a guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain
cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of
any such claim as security or otherwise.
Annual
Trustee Report to Holders of Debt Securities
The trustee is required to submit an annual report to the
holders of the debt securities regarding, among other things,
the trustees eligibility to serve as such, the priority of
the trustees claims regarding certain advances made by it
and any action taken by the trustee materially affecting the
debt securities.
Certificates
and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee
The indenture will provide that, in addition to other
certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by
other provisions of the indenture, every application or demand
by us for action by the trustee must be accompanied by a
certificate of certain of our officers and an opinion of counsel
(who may be our counsel) stating that, in the opinion of the
signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been
complied with by us.
14
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the securities will be
passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston,
Texas. Any underwriter will be advised about other issues
relating to any offering by its own legal counsel.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Regency Energy Partners
LP as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009,
managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,
and the consolidated balance sheet of Regency GP LP and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, have been
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audited historical financial statements of Midcontinent
Express Pipeline LLC, included in Exhibit 99.2 of Regency
Energy Partners Current Report on
Form 8-K/A
dated July 29, 2010, have been so incorporated in reliance
on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Regency Energy Partners has filed with the SEC a registration
statement on
Form S-3
regarding the debt securities. This prospectus does not contain
all of the information found in the registration statement. For
further information regarding us and the securities offered by
this prospectus, you may desire to review the full registration
statement, including its exhibits and schedules, filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The registration statement
of which this prospectus forms a part, including its exhibits
and schedules, may be inspected and copied at the public
reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street,
N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the
materials may also be obtained from the SEC at prescribed rates
by writing to the public reference room maintained by the SEC at
100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the
operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
The SEC maintains a website on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov.
Our registration statement, of which this prospectus constitutes
a part, can be downloaded from the SECs website.
You should rely only on the information contained in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have not
authorized any other person to provide you with different
information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not
making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where an offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of
the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our
business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since that date.
Regency Energy Finance Corp. is not a reporting company under
the Exchange Act. However, Regency Energy Partners files with or
furnishes to the SEC periodic reports and other information.
These reports and other information may be inspected and copied
at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC or
obtained from the SECs website as provided above. Our
website on the Internet is located at
http://www.regencyenergy.com
and Regency Energy Partners makes its periodic reports and other
information filed with or furnished to the SEC available, free
of charge, through its website, as soon as reasonably
practicable after those reports and other information are
electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information
on our website or any other website is not incorporated by
reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of
this prospectus.
15
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference
information into this prospectus. This means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to
another document filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this
prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede the previously filed
information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings made by Regency Energy Partners
with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act, excluding information deemed to be
furnished and not filed with the SEC, until all the securities
are sold:
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Our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed on
March 1, 2010;
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Our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, filed on May 7,
2010;
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Our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
and
Form 10-Q/A
for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, each filed on
August 9, 2010; and
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Our Current Reports on
Form 8-K
and
Form 8-K/A
filed on January 26, 2010, March 4, 2010,
April 27, 2010, April 30, 2010, May 11, 2010,
May 28, 2010, June 7, 2010, June 11, 2010,
July 1, 2010, July 15, 2010, July 29, 2010 (two
reports), August 10, 2010 (three reports), August 12,
2010, September 1, 2010, September 13, 2010 and
October 12, 2010, each to the extent filed and
not furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the
Exchange Act.
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Each of these documents is available from the SECs website
and public reference rooms described above. Through our website,
http://www.regencyenergy.com,
you can access electronic copies of documents we file with the
SEC, including our Annual Reports on
Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q
and Current Reports on
Form 8-K
and any amendments to those reports. Information on our website
is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Access to
those electronic filings is available as soon as reasonably
practical after filing with the SEC. You also may request a copy
of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus
(including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated
by reference in this document), at no cost, by writing or
calling us at the following address:
Regency
Energy Partners LP
Investor Relations
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 750-1771.
16
$600,000,000
Regency Energy Partners
LP
Regency Energy Finance
Corp.
67/8% Senior
Notes due 2018
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
BofA Merrill Lynch
RBS
Citi
Credit Suisse
Morgan Stanley
Wells Fargo
Securities
Deutsche Bank
Securities
SunTrust Robinson
Humphrey
October 13, 2010