<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 1999
Registration No. 333-
================================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------------------
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 72-1235413
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
625 E. KALISTE SALOOM ROAD
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA 70508
(318) 237-0410
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
ANDREW L. GATES, III
VICE PRESIDENT - LEGAL AND GENERAL COUNSEL
625 E. KALISTE SALOOM ROAD
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA 70508
(318) 237-0410
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
ALAN P. BADEN THOMAS P. MASON
VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
1325 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 600 TRAVIS
17TH FLOOR 4200 TEXAS COMMERCE TOWER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-6026 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(917) 206-8000 (713) 220-4200
(917) 206-8100 (FAX) (713) 220-4285 (FAX)
---------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
===================================================================================================================
PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED (1) (2) (3) (4) REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Debt Securities (5)
Preferred Stock (6)
Common Stock (7)
Total......................................................... $200,000,000 $55,600
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
(1) Certain information as to each class of securities to be registered is
not specified in accordance with General Instruction II(D) to Form S-3
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(2) This registration statement also covers such indeterminate amount of
securities as may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or
exercise of, as the case may be, the Debt Securities or Preferred Stock
registered hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold
separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. No
separate consideration will be received for any securities registered
hereunder that are issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, as
the case may be, the Debt Securities or Preferred Stock registered
hereunder.
(3) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely
for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(o) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(4) In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all securities
issued from time to time pursuant to this Registration Statement exceed
$200,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies or
composite currencies. The registered securities may be sold separately
or as units with other registered securities.
(5) Subject to Note (4) above, we are registering an indeterminate amount
of Debt Securities. If any Debt Securities are issued at an original
issue discount, then the offering price may be increased by an amount
such that the gross proceeds to be received by us shall be equal to the
above amount to be registered. Any offering of Debt Securities
denominated other than in U.S. dollars will be treated as the
equivalent of U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate applicable to the
purchase of such Debt Securities at the time of initial offering.
(6) Subject to Note (4) above, we are registering an indeterminate number
of shares of Preferred Stock.
(7) Subject to Note (4) above, we are registering an indeterminate number
of shares of Common Stock. Each share of common stock includes an
associated Preferred Share Purchase Right (a "Right"). Until the
occurrence of certain prescribed events, none of which has occurred,
the Rights are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates
representing the Common Stock, and will be transferred with the Common
Stock.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE
OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE> 3
The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 1, 1999
PROSPECTUS
[LOGO]
================================================================================
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
---------------------------
$200,000,000
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE WILL PROVIDE SPECIFIC TERMS OF THESE OFFERINGS AND SECURITIES IN SUPPLEMENTS
TO THIS PROSPECTUS. YOU SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SUPPLEMENT TO THIS
PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU INVEST.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
[ ], 1999
3
<PAGE> 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
About this Prospectus.............................................................................................. 4
Where You Can Find
More Information................................................................................................... 4
The Company........................................................................................................ 5
Use of Proceeds.................................................................................................... 5
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
and Earnings to Fixed Charges Plus Dividends....................................................................... 6
Description of Debt Securities..................................................................................... 6
Description of Capital Stock....................................................................................... 18
Plan of Distribution............................................................................................... 24
Legal Matters...................................................................................................... 26
Experts............................................................................................................ 26
</TABLE>
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission utilizing a "shelf" registration process.
Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the
securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total
dollar amount of $200,000,000. 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 the offering and the securities. The prospectus supplement
may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any
statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any
inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. You should read
both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional
information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the
Internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy
any document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the SEC located at
7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and at 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. You may obtain information
on the operation of the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We also file such information with the New
York Stock Exchange. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be
read and copied at 30 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents.
4
<PAGE> 5
The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this
prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically
update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents
listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all of
the securities or we terminate this offering:
o Our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998;
o Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999;
o Our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 24, 1999; and
o The description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A dated
October 15, 1998.
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
Secretary
Stone Energy Corporation
625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(318) 237-0410
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an
offer of these securities in any state 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 those documents.
THE COMPANY
Stone Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas company. We are
engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of oil and
gas properties onshore and offshore in the Gulf Coast Basin. Stone was
incorporated in Delaware in 1993 and has been a publicly held company since
1993. Stone and its predecessors have been active in the Gulf Coast Basin since
1973 which gives us extensive geophysical, technical and operational expertise
in this area.
Our corporate headquarters are located in Lafayette, Louisiana, where our
address is 625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508 (telephone:
(318) 237-0410).
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we will use the net
proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by the prospectus and any
prospectus supplement for our general
5
<PAGE> 6
corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness, the financing
of capital expenditures, future acquisitions and additions to our working
capital.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES PLUS DIVIDENDS
A description of Stone's ratio of earnings to fixed charges or earnings to
combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, as applicable, on a
consolidated basis, will appear in an applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities issued using this prospectus ("Debt Securities") will
be our direct unsecured general obligations. The Debt Securities will be either
senior debt securities ("Senior Debt Securities") or subordinated debt
securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities").
The Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
issued under separate indentures between us and a U.S. banking institution (a
"Trustee"). The Trustee for each series of Debt Securities will be identified in
the applicable prospectus supplement. Senior Debt Securities will be issued
under a "Senior Indenture" and Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under
a "Subordinated Indenture." Together the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated
Indenture are called "Indentures."
The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series.
The particular terms of each series that is offered by a prospectus supplement
will be described in the prospectus supplement.
We have summarized selected provisions of the Indentures below. The summary
is not complete. The forms of the Indentures have been filed as exhibits to the
registration statement and you should read the Indentures for provisions that
may be important to you. In the Summary below, we have included references to
section numbers of the applicable Indentures so that you can easily locate these
provisions. Whenever we refer in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement
to particular sections or defined terms of the Indentures, such sections or
defined terms are incorporated by reference herein or therein, as applicable.
Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the
Indentures.
GENERAL
The Indentures provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be
issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal
amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the Debt
Securities of any series. (Section 301). We will determine the terms and
conditions of the Debt Securities, including the maturity, principal and
interest, but those terms must be consistent with the applicable Indenture.
The Senior Debt Securities will rank equally with all of our other senior
unsecured and unsubordinated debt ("Senior Debt"). The Subordinated Debt
Securities will be subordinated in
6
<PAGE> 7
right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt as
described under "--Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities" and in the
prospectus supplement applicable to any Subordinated Debt Securities.
A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture relating to any series
of Debt Securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the
offering, including the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be
offered will be issued. These terms will include some or all of the following:
(1) the title of the Debt Securities;
(2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or
Subordinated Debt Securities and, if Subordinated Debt Securities,
the subordination terms relating thereto;
(3) the total principal amount of the Debt Securities;
(4) the percentage of the principal amount at which the Debt
Securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of
the Debt Securities is accelerated;
(5) if convertible into Common Stock, the terms on which such Debt
Securities are convertible;
(6) the dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be
payable;
(7) the interest rate which the Debt Securities will bear and the
interest payment dates for the Debt Securities;
(8) the places where payments on the Debt Securities will be payable;
(9) any terms upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole
or in part, at our option;
(10) any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to
repurchase or otherwise redeem the Debt Securities;
(11) any changes to or additional Events of Defaults or covenants
contained in the applicable Indenture;
(12) whether the Debt Securities are defeasible;
(13) any special tax implications of the Debt Securities, including
provisions for Original Issue Discount Securities, if offered; and
(14) any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Indenture. (Section 301).
7
<PAGE> 8
None of the Indentures limits the amount of Debt Securities that may be
issued. Each Indenture allows Debt Securities to be issued up to the principal
amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit
designated by us.
If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue the
Debt Securities at a discount below their principal amount and pay less than the
entire principal amount of the Debt Securities upon declaration of acceleration
of their maturity ("Original Issue Discount Securities"). The applicable
prospectus supplement will describe all material U.S. federal income tax,
accounting and other considerations applicable to the Original Issue Discount
Securities.
Debt Securities of a series may be issued only in fully registered form
without coupons.
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
The Senior Debt Securities will be unsecured senior obligations and will
rank equally with all other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. However,
the Senior Debt Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all our
secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such
indebtedness. Except as provided in the applicable Senior Indenture or specified
in any authorizing resolution and/or supplemental indenture relating to a series
of Senior Debt Securities to be issued, no Senior Indenture will limit the
amount of additional indebtedness which may rank equally with the Senior Debt
Securities or the amount of indebtedness, secured or otherwise, which may be
incurred or preferred stock which may be issued by any of our Subsidiaries.
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
Payment of the principal, interest and any premium on the Subordinated Debt
Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture with
respect to each series of Subordinated Debt Securities, be subordinated in right
of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt, including the
Senior Debt Securities. The prospectus supplement relating to any Subordinated
Debt Securities will summarize the subordination provisions of the Subordinated
Indenture applicable to that series including:
o the applicability and effect of such provisions upon any payment or
distribution of our assets to creditors upon any liquidation,
dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of
creditors or marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar proceedings;
o the applicability and effect of such provisions in the event of
specified defaults with respect to any or certain Senior Debt,
including the circumstances under which and the periods in which we
will be prohibited from making payments on the Subordinated Debt
Securities; and
o the definition of Senior Debt applicable to the Subordinated Debt
Securities of that series.
8
<PAGE> 9
The prospectus supplement will also describe as of a recent date the approximate
amount of Senior Debt to which the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series
will be subordinated.
The failure to make any payment on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities
by reason of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture
described in the prospectus supplement will not be construed as preventing the
occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt
Securities arising from any such failure to make payment.
The subordination provisions described above will not be applicable to
payments in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities from a defeasance trust
established in connection with any defeasance or covenant defeasance of the
Subordinated Debt Securities as described under "-- Defeasance and Covenant
Defeasance."
FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER
The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully
registered form, without coupons. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, the securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000
each or multiples thereof. (Section 302).
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the applicable
Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities
of each series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series
of any authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal
amount. (Section 305).
Subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations
applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange
as provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the
form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security
Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for such
purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Debt Securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Such
transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such
transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title
and identity of the person making the request. The Security Registrar and any
other transfer agent initially designated by us for any Debt Securities will be
named in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 305). We may at any time
designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer
agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts,
except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of
Payment for the Debt Securities of each series. (Section 1002).
If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed in part, we will not be required to (i) issue, register the
transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such
Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange
any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part. (Section
305).
9
<PAGE> 10
GLOBAL SECURITIES
Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in
whole or in part, by one or more global certificates which will have an
aggregate principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities represented
thereby. Each Global Security will be registered in the name of a Depositary or
a nominee thereof identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, will be
deposited with such Depositary or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear
a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer
thereof referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for
pursuant to the applicable Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the applicable Indenture or any Debt
Security described herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in
part for Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in
whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the
Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless:
(i) the Depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be
qualified to act as such as required by the applicable Indenture;
(ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default
with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security; or
(iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or
in lieu of those described above as may be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
All Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion
thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct. (Sections
204 and 305).
As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt
Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the Debt Securities and
the applicable Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above,
owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have
such Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby registered in
their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered to
be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities
represented thereby for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the applicable
Indenture. All payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a Global
Security will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the Holder thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain
purchasers of Debt Securities take physical delivery of such Debt Securities in
definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold
10
<PAGE> 11
beneficial interests through participants. In connection with the issuance of
any Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration
and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of Debt Securities
represented by the Global Security to the accounts of its participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown only on,
and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants' interests)
or any such participant (with respect to interests of persons held by such
participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters
relating to beneficial interests in a Global Security may be subject to various
policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from time to time. None of us,
the Trustees or our agents will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment
of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest. (Section 307).
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement,
principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular
series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as we
may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at our option
payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person
entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security Register. Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the corporate trust
office of the trustee under the Senior Indenture in the City of New York will be
designated as sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Senior Debt
Securities of each series and the corporate trust office of the Trustee in the
City of New York will be designated as the sole Paying Agent for payment with
respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents
initially designated by us for the Debt Securities of a particular series will
be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that
we will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the
Debt Securities of a particular series. (Section 1002).
All moneys paid by us to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of
or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain unclaimed at the
end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and
payable will be repaid to us, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter
may look only to us for payment thereof. (Section 1003).
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
We may not consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer, sell or
lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person (a
"successor Person"), and may not permit
11
<PAGE> 12
any Person to merge into, or convey, transfer, sell or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to, us, unless:
(i) the successor Person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust
or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of any
domestic jurisdiction and assumes our obligations on the Debt Securities
and under the Indentures;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii) certain other conditions, including any additional conditions
with respect to any particular Debt Securities specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, are met.
(Section 801).
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each of the
following will constitute an Event of Default under the applicable Indenture
with respect to Debt Securities of any series:
(1) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of
that series when due, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt
Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of
the Subordinated Indenture;
(2) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series
when due, continued for 30 days, whether or not, in the case of
Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;
(3) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect
of any Debt Security of that series, whether or not, in the case of
Subordinated Debt Securities, such deposit is prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;
(4) failure to perform or comply with the provisions described under
"Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets;"
(5) failure to perform, or a breach of, any of our other covenants or
warranties in such Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty included in
such Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series),
continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the Trustee,
or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of that series, as provided in such Indenture;
(6) default under the terms of any instrument evidencing or securing
any of our Debt having an outstanding principal amount of $10 million
individually or in the aggregate which default results in the acceleration
of the payment of all or any portion of such Debt (which acceleration is
not rescinded within a period of 10 days from the occurrence of such
12
<PAGE> 13
acceleration) or constitutes the failure to pay all or any portion of the
principal amount of such Debt when due;
(7) the rendering of a final judgment or judgments (not subject to
appeal) against us in an amount in excess of $10 million which remains
undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days after the date on which
the right to appeal has expired;
(8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
affecting us; and
(9) any other Event of Default included in the applicable Indenture or
supplemental indenture. (Section 501).
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause
(8) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the applicable Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the
principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any
Debt Security that is an Original Issue Discount Debt Security or the principal
amount of which is not then determinable, such portion of the principal amount
of such Debt Security, or such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as
may be specified in the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable
immediately. If an Event of Default described in clause (8) above with respect
to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the
principal amount of all the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of
any such Original Issue Discount Security or other Debt Security, such specified
amount) will automatically, and without any action by the applicable Trustee or
any Holder, become immediately due and payable. After any such acceleration, but
before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series
may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all
Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or other
specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable
Indenture. (Section 502). For information as to waiver of defaults, see
"Modification and Waiver."
Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the
Trustees in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, each Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless
such Holders shall have offered to such Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section
603). Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustees, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt
Securities of that series. (Section 512).
No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the applicable Indenture, or for the appointment
of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:
13
<PAGE> 14
(i) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee under the
applicable Indenture written notice of a continuing Event of Default
with respect to the Debt Securities of that series;
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written request,
and such Holder or Holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the
Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and
(iii) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not
received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction
inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice,
request and offer. (Section 507).
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a
Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium
or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified
in such Debt Security. (Section 508).
We will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement by
certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in
default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known
defaults. (Section 1004).
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indentures may be made by us and the
applicable Trustee without the consent of the Holders in certain limited
circumstances and with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by
such modification or amendment in the following circumstances:
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any instalment
of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security;
(2) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any
Debt Security;
(3) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the
Maturity thereof;
(4) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any
premium or interest on, any Debt Security;
(5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or with respect to any Debt Security;
(6) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, modify the
subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the Holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities;
14
<PAGE> 15
(7) if applicable, make any change that adversely affects the right to
convert any Debt Security or decrease the conversion rate or increase the
conversion price;
(8) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
modification or amendment of the Indenture;
(9) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or
(10) modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver; or
(11) following the making of an offer to purchase Debt Securities
pursuant to a covenant in the Indenture, modify the provisions of the
Indenture with respect to such offer to purchase in a manner adverse to the
Holders. (Section 902)
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series may waive compliance by us with certain restrictive
provisions of the applicable Indenture. The Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive any past
default under the applicable Indenture, except a default in the payment of
principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the
applicable Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the Holder
of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 513).
The Indentures provide that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given or
taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under such
Indenture as of any date:
(i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that
will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal
thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration
of the Maturity thereof to such date;
(ii) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated
Maturity of a Debt Security is not determinable (for example, because
it is based on an index), the principal amount of such Debt Security
deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an amount determined
in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security; and
(iii) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or
more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be
Outstanding will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such
date in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal
amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security
described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount described in such
clause).
15
<PAGE> 16
Certain Debt Securities, including those for whose payment or redemption money
has been deposited or set aside in trust for the Holders and those that have
been fully defeased pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture, will not be
deemed to be Outstanding. (Section 101).
Except in certain limited circumstances, we will be entitled to set any day
as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action under the applicable Indenture, in the manner
and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture. In certain limited
circum stances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by
Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders of a
particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders of
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date. To be effective,
such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of such
Debt Securities within a specified period following the record date. For any
particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other period as may
be specified by us (or the Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be
shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from time to time. (Section
104).
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we
may elect, at our option at any time, to have the provisions of the Indenture,
relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness relating to defeasance of
certain restrictive covenants applied to the Debt Securities of any series, or
to any specified part of a series. (Section 1401).
Defeasance and Discharge. The Indentures provide that, upon our exercise of
our option (if any), we will be discharged from all our obligations, and, if
such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective,
with respect to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to exchange
or register the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or
mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for
payment in trust) upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of
such Debt Securities of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which,
through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance
with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the
principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the
respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable
Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only
if, among other things;
(i) we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by,
the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a
change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such Debt
Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes
as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject
to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and
discharge were not to occur;
16
<PAGE> 17
(ii) no Event of Default or event that with the passing of time or the
giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have
occurred or be continuing;
(iii) such deposit, defeasance and discharge will not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or
instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound;
(iv) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, at the time of such
deposit, no default in the payment of all or a portion of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on or other obligations in respect of any
Senior Debt of the Company shall have occurred and be continuing and no
other event of default with respect to any of our Senior Debt shall have
occurred and be continuing permitting, after notice or the lapse of time,
or both, the acceleration thereof; and
(v) we have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that such deposit shall not cause the Trustee or the trust so
created to be subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940. (Sections 1402
and 1404).
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The Indentures provide that, upon our
exercise of our option (if any), we may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants, including those that may be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described
above in clause (5) (with respect to such restrictive covenants) and clauses
(6), (7) and (9) under "Events of Default" and any that may be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement, will not be deemed to either be or result in
an Event of Default and, if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt
Securities, the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to
subordination will cease to be effective, in each case with respect to such Debt
Securities. In order to exercise such option, we must deposit, in trust for the
benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government
Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in
respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt
Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of
the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such covenant defeasance may
occur only if we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
that in effect says that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and
defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur and the requirements set
forth in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above are satisfied. If we exercise
this option with respect to any Debt Securities and such Debt Securities were
declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the
amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so deposited in trust would be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of their
respective Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on
such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of Default.
In such case, we would remain liable for such payments. (Sections 1403 and
1404).
17
<PAGE> 18
NOTICES
Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the
addresses of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register.
(Sections 101 and 106).
TITLE
We, the Trustees and any agent of us or a Trustee may treat the Person in
whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of the Debt
Security (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose of
making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308).
GOVERNING LAW
The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
As of March 31, 1999, our authorized capital stock was 30,000,000 shares.
Those shares consisted of: (a) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of
which were outstanding; and (b) 25,000,000 shares of common stock, of which
15,085,408 shares were outstanding.
COMMON STOCK
Listing
Our outstanding shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "SGY". Any additional common stock we issue will also
be listed on the NYSE.
Dividends
Subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock that we may issue,
the holders of common stock may receive dividends when declared by the Board of
Directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, stock or other form out of legally
available funds.
Fully Paid
All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Any additional common stock we issue will also be fully paid and non-assessable.
Voting Rights
Subject to any special voting rights of any series of preferred stock that
we may issue, in the future, the holders of common stock may vote one vote for
each share held in the election of directors and on all other matters voted upon
by our stockholders. Holders of common stock may not cumulate their votes in the
elections of directors.
18
<PAGE> 19
Other Rights
We will notify common shareholders of any shareholders' meetings according
to applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our business, either
voluntarily or not, common shareholders will share equally in the assets
remaining after we pay our creditors and preferred shareholders. The holders of
common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase our shares of stock. Shares
of common stock are not subject to any redemption provisions and are not
convertible into any of our other securities.
PREFERRED STOCK
The following description of the terms of the preferred stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of our authorized preferred stock. If we
offer preferred stock, a description will be filed with the SEC and the specific
designations and rights will be described in the prospectus supplement,
including the following terms:
o the series, the number of shares offered and the liquidation value of
the preferred stock;
o the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;
o the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable and
other terms relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred
stock;
o the liquidation preference of the preferred stock;
o the voting rights of the preferred stock;
o whether the preferred stock is redeemable or subject to a sinking fund,
and the terms of any such redemption or sinking fund;
o whether the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable for any
other securities, and the terms of any such conversion; and
o any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and
restrictions of the preferred stock.
The description of the terms of the preferred stock to be set forth in an
applicable prospectus supplement will not be complete and will be subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the statement of resolution relating
to the applicable series of preferred stock. The registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part will include the statement of resolution as an
exhibit or incorporate it by reference.
Our Board of Directors can, without approval of shareholders, issue one or
more series of preferred stock. Subject to the provisions of our Certificate of
Incorporation and limitations prescribed by law, our Board of Directors may
adopt resolutions to determine the number of shares of each series and the
rights, preferences and limitations of each series including the
19
<PAGE> 20
dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and any
liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of preferred stock, the
number of shares constituting each series and the terms and conditions of issue.
Under certain circumstances, preferred stock could restrict dividend payments to
holders of our common stock.
Undesignated preferred stock may enable our Board of Directors to render
more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a
tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and to thereby protect the
continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may
adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. For example, any
preferred stock issued may rank prior to our common stock as to dividend rights,
liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may
be convertible into shares of common stock. As a result, the issuance of shares
of preferred stock may discourage bids for our common stock or may otherwise
adversely affect the market price of our common stock or any existing preferred
stock.
The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
Certain provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and our
shareholders' rights plan may encourage persons considering unsolicited tender
offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with the Board of
Directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts.
Classified Board of Directors and Limitations on Removal of Directors
Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors is divided into three
classes as nearly equal in number as possible. The directors of each class are
elected for three-year terms, and the terms of the three classes are staggered
so that directors from a single class are elected at each annual meeting of
stockholders. Directors can only be removed for cause. A staggered board makes
it more difficult for shareholders to change the majority of the directors and
instead promotes a continuity of existing management.
Stockholder Action by Unanimous Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the certificate of
incorporation specifies otherwise, any action that could be taken by
stockholders at an annual or special meeting may be taken, instead, without a
meeting and without notice to or a vote of other stockholders if a consent in
writing is signed by holders of outstanding stock having voting power that would
be sufficient to take such action at a meeting at which all outstanding shares
were present and voted. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that
stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders or by unanimous written consent. As a result, stockholders may not
act upon any matter except at a duly called meeting or by unanimous written
consent.
20
<PAGE> 21
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of blank check
preferred stock. The Board of Directors can set the voting rights, redemption
rights, conversion rights and other rights relating to such preferred stock and
could issue such stock in either private or public transactions. In some
circumstances, the blank check preferred stock could be issued and have the
effect of preventing a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt which the
Board of Directors opposes.
Business Combinations Under Delaware Law
We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 prevents a person who owns 15% or
more of our outstanding voting stock (an "interested stockholder") from engaging
in certain business combinations with us for three years following the date that
the person became an interested stockholder. These restrictions do not apply if:
o before the person became an interested stockholder, our Board of
Directors approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder
became an interested stockholder or the business combination;
o upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owns at least 85% of our outstanding voting stock at the
time the transaction commenced, excluding stock held by directors who
are also officers of the corporation and stock held by certain employee
stock plans; or
o following the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, the business combination is approved by both our Board of
Directors and the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding
voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
These restrictions do not apply to certain business combinations proposed
by an interested stockholder following the announcement of certain extraordinary
transactions involving us and a person who was not an interested stockholder
during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the
approval of a majority of our directors, if that extraordinary transaction is
approved or goes unopposed by a majority of our directors who were directors
before any person became an interested stockholder in the previous three years
or who were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a
majority of such directors then in office.
Section 203 defines a "business combination" to include (i) any merger or
consolidation involving the corporation and an interested stockholder, (ii) any
sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving an interested stockholder
of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation; (iii) subject to certain
exceptions, any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the
corporation of any stock of the corporation to an interested stockholder, (iv)
any transaction involving the corporation which has the effect of increasing the
proportionate share of the stock
21
<PAGE> 22
of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested
stockholder or (v) the receipt by an interested stockholder of any loans,
guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the
corporation.
Rights Plan
Our Board of Directors has adopted a stockholders' rights plan (the "Rights
Plan"). Under the Rights Plan, each Right entitles the registered holder under
the circumstances described below to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a
share of our Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Shares") at a
price of $125.00 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase
Price"), subject to adjustment. The following is a summary of certain terms of
the Rights Plan. The Rights Plan is filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part and this summary is qualified by
reference to the specific terms of the Rights Plan.
Until the Distribution Date (as defined below), the Rights attach to all
common stock certificates representing outstanding shares. No separate Right
Certificate will be distributed. A Right is issued for each share of common
stock issued. The Rights will separate from the common stock and a Distribution
Date will occur upon the earlier of
o 10 business days following a public announcement that a person or group
of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has
acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding Voting
Shares (as defined in the Rights Agreement), or
o 10 business days following the commencement or announcement of an
intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation
of which would result in the person or group beneficially owning 15% or
more of our outstanding Voting Shares.
Until the Distribution Date or the earlier of redemption or expiration of
the Rights, the Rights are evidenced by the certificates representing the common
stock. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights (the "Rights Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the common stock as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will thereafter
evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The rights will
expire on September 30, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the Final
Expiration Date is extended or the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged.
If a person or group acquires 15% or more of our Voting Shares, each Right
then outstanding (other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Persons
which would become null and void) becomes a right to buy that number of shares
of common stock (or under certain circumstances, the equivalent number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share) that at the time of such acquisition has a
market value of two times the Purchase Price of the Right.
22
<PAGE> 23
If we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or
assets constituting more than 50% of our consolidated assets or producing more
than 50% of our earning power or cash flow are sold, proper provision will be
made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive,
upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price of the Right, that
number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of
such transaction has a market value of two times the Purchase Price of the
Right.
The dividend and liquidation rights, and the non-redemption feature, of the
Preferred Shares are designed so that the value of one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right will approximate the
value of one share of common stock. The Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise
of the Rights will be non-redeemable and rank junior to all other series of our
preferred stock. Each whole Preferred Share will be entitled to receive a
quarterly preferential dividend in an amount per share equal to the greater of
(i) $1.00 in cash, or (ii) in the aggregate, 1,000 times the dividend declared
on the common stock, subject to adjustment. In the event of liquidation, the
holders of Preferred Shares may receive a preferential liquidation payment equal
to the greater of (i) $1,000 per share, or (ii) in the aggregate, 1,000 times
the payment made on the shares of common stock. In the event of any merger,
consolidation or other transaction in which the shares of common stock are
exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or other property,
each whole Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount
received per share of common stock. Each whole Preferred Share will be entitled
to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders and
Preferred Shares will generally vote together as one class with the common stock
and any other capital stock on all matters submitted to a vote of our
stockholders.
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share or other securities or property issuable upon exercise of the
Rights, and the Purchase Price payable, may be adjusted from time to time to
prevent dilution.
At any time after a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding Voting Shares
and before a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 50% or more of our
outstanding Voting Shares our Board of Directors may, at its option, issue
common stock in mandatory redemption of, and in exchange for, all or part of the
then outstanding and exercisable Rights (other than Rights owned by such person
or group which would become null and void) at an exchange ratio of one share of
common stock for each Right, subject to adjustment.
At any time prior to the first public announcement that a person or group
has become the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares,
our Board of Directors may redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding
Rights at a price of $0.01 per Right (the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of
the rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as our Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.
Immediately upon the action of our Board of Directors ordering redemption of the
rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of
the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.
23
<PAGE> 24
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal
liability of officers and directors to corporations and their stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of officers' and directors' fiduciary duty of care.
The duty of care requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation,
officers and directors must exercise an informed business judgment based on all
material information reasonably available to them. Absent the limitations
authorized by Delaware law, officers and directors are accountable to
corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for conduct
constituting gross negligence in the exercise of their duty of care. Delaware
law enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as
injunction or rescission.
Our Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of our officers and
directors to us and our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware
law. Specifically, our officers and directors will not be personally liable for
monetary damages for breach of an officer's or director's fiduciary duty in such
capacity, except for liability
o for any breach of the officer's or director's duty of loyalty to us or our
stockholders,
o for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
o for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation
law, or
o for any transaction from which the officer or director derived an improper
personal benefit.
The inclusion of this provision in our Certificate of Incorporation may
reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and
directors, and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing
a lawsuit against our officers and directors for breach of their duty of care,
even though such an action, if successful, might have otherwise benefitted us
and our stockholders. Both our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide
indemnification to our officers and directors and certain other persons with
respect to certain matters to the maximum extent allowed by Delaware law as it
exists now or may hereafter be amended. These provisions do not alter the
liability of officers and directors under federal securities laws and do not
affect the right to sue (nor to recover monetary damages) under federal
securities laws for violations thereof.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Our transfer agent and registrar of the common stock, as well as the rights
agent under our Rights Plan, is ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell securities pursuant to this prospectus (a) through agents; (b)
through underwriters or dealers; or (c) directly to one or more purchasers,
including existing shareholders in a rights offering.
24
<PAGE> 25
BY AGENTS
Securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus may be sold through
agents designated by us. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus
supplement, any such agent is acting on a best efforts basis for the period of
its appointment.
BY UNDERWRITERS
If underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell
the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions,
at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of
sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be
subject to certain conditions. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus
supplement, the underwriters must purchase all the securities of the series
offered by a prospectus supplement if any of the securities are purchased. Any
initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
DIRECT SALES; RIGHTS OFFERINGS
Securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus may also be sold
directly by us. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We
may sell offered securities upon the exercise of rights which may be issued to
our securityholders.
DELAYED DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS
We may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by
certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities providing for
payment and delivery on a future date specified in the prospectus supplement.
Institutional investors to which such offers may be made, when authorized,
include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds,
investment companies, education and charitable institutions and such other
institutions as may be approved by us. The obligations of any such purchasers
under such delayed delivery and payment arrangements will be subject to the
condition that the purchase of the offered securities will not at the time of
delivery be prohibited under applicable law. The underwriters and such agents
will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of
such contracts.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of
the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and
any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the
resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents
will be identified and their compensation described in a prospectus supplement.
25
<PAGE> 26
The securities (other than common stock) offered in this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement, when first issued, will have no established trading
market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such securities are sold
by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but
such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue
any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you as to the
liquidity of the trading market for any such securities.
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to
indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the
underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or
perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their
businesses.
LEGAL MATTERS
Our counsel, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., New York, New York, will pass upon
certain legal matters in connection the offered securities. Any underwriters
will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal
counsel.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, incorporated by
reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement, have
been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as
indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing
in giving said report.
Atwater Consultants, Ltd. and Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.,
independent oil and gas consultants, prepared the reserve information, which is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration
statement. This reserve information is incorporated by reference herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts with respect to such
reports.
26
<PAGE> 27
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the issuance and distribution of the securities covered by this Registration
Statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the
expenses will be borne by the Company except as otherwise indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Registration fee.......................................................... $ 55,600
Fees and expenses of accountants.......................................... 75,000
Fees and expenses of legal counsel........................................ 75,000
Fees and expenses of Trustee and counsel.................................. 15,000
Printing and engraving expenses........................................... 75,000
Miscellaneous............................................................. 4,400
-------------
Total...................................................... $ 300,000
=============
</TABLE>
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The Registrant has authority under Section 145 of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware to indemnify its officers, directors, employees and
agents to the extent provided in such statute. Article VI of the Registrant's
Bylaws, referenced as Exhibit 3.2 hereto, provides for indemnification of the
Registrant's officers, directors, employees and agents.
Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes, inter alia, a corporation to indemnify
any person ("indemnitee") who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that such person
is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or
was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe
such person's conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify past or
present officers and directors of such corporation or
II-1
<PAGE> 28
of another corporation or other enterprise at the former corporation's request,
in an action by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted
without judicial approval if such person is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. Where a present or former officer or director is successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of any action referred to above, or in defense of
any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation must indemnify such person
against the expenses (including attorney's fees) which such person actually and
reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Section 145 further provides that
any indemnification shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in each
specific case upon a determination by (i) a majority vote the directors who were
not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum,
(ii) a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, (iii) independent counsel if a quorum
of disinterested directors so directs, or (iv) the stockholders. Section 145
provides that indemnification pursuant to its provision is not exclusive of
other rights of indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any
bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 145 of the DGCL also empowers the Company to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against liability asserted against or
incurred by such person in any such capacity, whether or not the Company would
have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the
provisions of Section 145. The Company intends to purchase and maintain a
directors' and officers' liability policy for such purposes.
Section 102 of the DGCL permits the limitation of directors' personal
liability to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damage for breach
of fiduciary duties as a director except in certain situations including the
breach of a director's duty of loyalty or acts or omissions not made in good
faith. Article Nine of the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation limits
directors' personal liability to the extent permitted by Section 102.
Article VI of the Registrant's Bylaws provides that the Registrant may
purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any of
its directors, officers, employees or agents or any person serving at the
request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, proprietorship, employee benefit plan,
trust or other enterprise, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or
not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such
expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
II-2
<PAGE> 29
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration
Statement, including those exhibits incorporated herein by reference to a prior
filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act as indicated
in parentheses:
II-3
<PAGE> 30
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBITS
------- --------
<S> <C>
1.1* -- Form of Underwriting Agreement.
4.1 -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 33-62362)).
4.2 -- Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33- 62362)).
4.3 -- Rights Agreement, with exhibits A, B and C thereto, dated
as of October 15, 1998, between the Company and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A
(Registration No. 001-12074)).
4.4** -- Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities.
4.5** -- Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities.
4.6 -- Form of Senior Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.4).
4.7 -- Form of Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.5).
5.1** -- Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
15.1** -- Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP regarding unaudited
interim financial statements.
23.1** -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2** -- Consent of Atwater Consultants, Ltd.
23.3** -- Consent of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
23.4 -- Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1** -- Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
25.1*** -- Statements of Eligibility of Trustee.
</TABLE>
- ----------
* The Company will file any underwriting agreement relating to Debt
Securities, Common Stock or Preferred Stock that it may enter into
as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement.
II-4
<PAGE> 31
** Filed herewith.
*** The Company will file any Statement of Eligibility of Trustee not
previously so filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K
or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;
provided however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(l)(i)
and (a)(l)(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-5
<PAGE> 32
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefits plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed
as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
effective.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Item 15, any charter
provision, bylaw, contract, arrangement, statute, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against
the registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection
with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion
of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(e) The Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose
of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of
Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act ("Act") in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section
305(b)(2) of the Act.
II-6
<PAGE> 33
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Lafayette, State of Louisiana on the 27th day of May,
1999.
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
By: /s/ James H. Prince
----------------------------------
James H. Prince
Vice President, Chief Accounting
Officer and Controller
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints D. Peter Canty and James H. Prince and
each of them, any one of whom may act without the joinder of the others, as his
true and lawful attorney-in-fact to sign on his behalf and in the capacity
stated below and to file any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to
this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which amendment or amendments may make such changes and
additions in this registration statement as such attorney-in-fact may deem
necessary or appropriate.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ James H. Stone Chief Executive Officer and
- ----------------------------------------------- Chairman of the Board May 27, 1999
James H. Stone (principal executive officer)
/s/ Joe R. Klutts
- ----------------------------------------------- Vice Chairman of the Board May 27, 1999
Joe R. Klutts
/s/ D. Peter Canty President, Chief Operating
- ----------------------------------------------- Officer and Director May 27, 1999
D. Peter Canty
/s/ James H. Prince Vice President, Chief
- ---------------------------------------------- Accounting Officer and May 27, 1999
James H. Prince Controller
(principal financial and
accounting officer)
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 34
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ David R. Voelker
- ----------------------------------------------- Director May 27, 1999
David R. Voelker
/s/ John P. Laborde
- ----------------------------------------------- Director May 27, 1999
John P. Laborde
/s/ Robert A. Bernhard
- ----------------------------------------------- Director May 27, 1999
Robert A. Bernhard
/s/ Raymond B. Gary
- ----------------------------------------------- Director May 27, 1999
Raymond B. Gary
/s/ B. J. Duplantis
- ---------------------------------------------- Director May 27, 1999
B. J. Duplantis
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 35
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBITS
------- --------
<S> <C>
1.1* -- Form of Underwriting Agreement.
4.1 -- Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 33-62362)).
4.2 -- Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33- 62362)).
4.3 -- Rights Agreement, with exhibits A, B and C thereto, dated
as of October 15, 1998, between the Company and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A
(Registration No. 001-12074)).
4.4** -- Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities.
4.5** -- Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities.
4.6 -- Form of Senior Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.4).
4.7 -- Form of Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.5).
5.1** -- Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
15.1** -- Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP regarding unaudited
interim financial statements.
23.1** -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2** -- Consent of Atwater Consultants, Ltd.
23.3** -- Consent of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
23.4 -- Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1** -- Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
25.1*** -- Statements of Eligibility of Trustee.
</TABLE>
- ----------
* The Company will file any underwriting agreement relating to Debt
Securities, Common Stock or Preferred Stock that it may enter into
as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement.
** Filed herewith.
*** The Company will file any Statement of Eligibility of Trustee not
previously so filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K
or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.4
================================================================================
Stone Energy Corporation,
as Issuer
TO
-----------------------------
Trustee
--------------
SENIOR INDENTURE
Dated as of
---------------
--------------
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PARTIES.............................................................................1
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY.............................................................1
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions...........................................................1
Act........................................................................2
Affiliate..................................................................2
Authenticating Agent.......................................................2
Board of Directors.........................................................2
Board Resolution...........................................................2
Business Day...............................................................2
Capital Stock..............................................................2
Commission.................................................................2
Common Stock...............................................................2
Company....................................................................2
Company Request............................................................3
Company Order..............................................................3
Corporate Trust Office.....................................................3
corporation................................................................3
Covenant Defeasance........................................................3
Defaulted Interest.........................................................3
Defeasance.................................................................3
Depositary.................................................................3
Event of Default...........................................................3
Exchange Act...............................................................3
Expiration Date............................................................3
Global Security............................................................3
Holder.....................................................................3
Indenture..................................................................3
interest...................................................................3
Interest Payment Date......................................................4
Investment Company Act.....................................................4
Maturity...................................................................4
Notice of Default..........................................................4
Officer's Certificate......................................................4
Opinion of Counsel.........................................................4
Original Issue Discount Security...........................................4
Outstanding................................................................4
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Paying Agent...............................................................5
Person.....................................................................5
Place of Payment...........................................................5
Predecessor Security.......................................................5
Redemption Date............................................................5
Redemption Price...........................................................5
Regular Record Date........................................................5
Securities.................................................................5
Securities Act.............................................................6
Security Register..........................................................6
Security Registrar.........................................................6
Significant Subsidiary.....................................................6
Special Record Date........................................................6
Stated Maturity............................................................6
Subsidiary.................................................................6
Trust Indenture Act........................................................6
Trustee....................................................................6
U.S. Government Obligation.................................................6
Vice President.............................................................6
Voting Stock...............................................................6
Wholly Owned Subsidiary....................................................7
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions..................................7
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee................................7
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.........................................8
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company................................10
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver............................................10
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act....................................10
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.............................11
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns...............................................11
SECTION 110. Separability Clause..................................................11
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture................................................11
SECTION 112. Governing Law........................................................11
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.......................................................11
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally......................................................12
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.............................................12
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security..........................................14
SECTION 204. Form of Conversion Notice............................................18
SECTION 205. Form of Legend for Global Securities.................................19
SECTION 206. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication......................20
</TABLE>
-ii-
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.................................20
SECTION 302. Denominations........................................................23
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.......................23
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.................................................24
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange..................25
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.....................27
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.......................27
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners................................................29
SECTION 309. Cancellation.........................................................29
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest..............................................29
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture..............................29
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money...........................................30
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default....................................................31
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment...................32
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee......33
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.....................................34
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities..........34
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.......................................35
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits..................................................35
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest and to Convert.....................36
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies...................................36
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.......................................36
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.........................................36
SECTION 512. Control by Holders...................................................37
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults..............................................37
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs................................................37
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws..............................38
</TABLE>
-iii-
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities..................................38
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults...................................................38
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee............................................38
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities...............39
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities..................................................40
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust..................................................40
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.......................................40
SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests................................................41
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility..............................41
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor....................41
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor...............................42
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business..........43
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company....................44
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent..................................44
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders............45
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders...............46
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee...................................................46
SECTION 704. Reports by Company...................................................46
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.................47
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted................................................48
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders...................48
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders......................49
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.................................50
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures....................................50
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act..................................51
</TABLE>
-iv-
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures...................51
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest..........................51
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.....................................51
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust...................52
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.................................53
SECTION 1005. Existence...........................................................53
SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties...........................................53
SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims...................................54
SECTION 1008. Maintenance of Insurance............................................54
SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants.........................................54
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article............................................54
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee...............................55
SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed...................55
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption................................................56
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.........................................56
SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date...............................57
SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.........................................57
ARTICLE TWELVE
[INTENTIONALLY DELETED]
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article.............................................58
SECTION 1302. Exercise of Conversion Privilege. ...................................58
SECTION 1303. No Fractional Shares.................................................59
SECTION 1304. Adjustment of Conversion Price.......................................59
SECTION 1305. Notice of Certain Corporate Actions..................................60
SECTION 1306. Reservation of Shares of Common Stock................................61
SECTION 1307. Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion.............................61
SECTION 1308. Nonassessability.....................................................61
</TABLE>
-v-
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
SECTION 1309. Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege............61
SECTION 1310. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion...............................62
SECTION 1311. Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion...........................62
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1401. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance........63
SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge............................................63
SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance.................................................64
SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.....................64
SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be
Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions..........................66
SECTION 1406. Reinstatement.......................................................67
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1501. Applicability of Article............................................67
SECTION 1502. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities...............67
SECTION 1503. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund...........................68
</TABLE>
-vi-
<PAGE> 8
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING TO
SECTIONS 310 THROUGH 318, INCLUSIVE, OF THE
TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUST INDENTURE
ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION
<S> <C>
Sections. 310(a)(1) ........................................................ 609
(a)(2) ........................................................ 609
(a)(3) ........................................................ Not Applicable
(a)(4) ........................................................ Not Applicable
(b) ........................................................ 608
610
Sections. 311(a) ........................................................ 613
(b) ........................................................ 613
Sections. 312(a) ........................................................ 701
702
(b) ........................................................ 702
(c) ........................................................ 702
Sections. 313(a) ........................................................ 703
(b) ........................................................ 703
(c) ........................................................ 703
(d) ........................................................ 703
Sections. 314(a) ........................................................ 704
(a)(4) ........................................................ 101
1004
(b) ........................................................ Not Applicable
(c)(1) ........................................................ 102
(c)(2) ........................................................ 102
(c)(3) ........................................................ Not Applicable
(d) ........................................................ Not Applicable
(e) ........................................................ 102
Sections. 315(a) ........................................................ 601
(b) ........................................................ 602
(c) ........................................................ 601
(d) ........................................................ 601
(e) ........................................................ 514
Sections. 316(a) ........................................................ 101
(a)(1) (A) ........................................................ 502
512
(a)(1) (B) ........................................................ 513
(a)(2) ........................................................ Not Applicable
(b) ........................................................ 508
(c) ........................................................ 104
Sections. 317(a)(1) ........................................................ 503
(a)(2) ........................................................ 504
(b) ........................................................ 1003
Sections. 318(a) ........................................................ 107
</TABLE>
- -------------------
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be
a part of the Indenture.
-vii-
<PAGE> 9
INDENTURE, dated as of ___________, among Stone Energy Corporation, a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York
(herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at 625 E. Kaliste
Saloom Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, and ___________________________, a
___________ banking corporation, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the
"Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, that are required to be a part of this Indenture and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate
benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned
to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as amend either
directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and, except as otherwise herein
<PAGE> 10
expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles"
with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean
such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of this
instrument;
(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an
"Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may
be, of this Indenture; and
(5) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified
in Section 104.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing; provided that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of 10% or more
of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to control.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate
Securities of one or more series.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company
or any committee of that board duly authorized to act for it in respect.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
its Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means
each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or
other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, of such Person.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Stock" means the Company's common stock, par value $[ ] per
share, and shall include securities of any class, however designated, which are
convertible into such Common Stock.
-2-
<PAGE> 11
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.
"Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice
Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and delivered to the
Trustee.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee in
the City of New York, New York at which at any particular time its corporate
trust business shall be administered.
"corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock
company, partnership or business trust.
"Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1403.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
"Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1402.
"Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable
in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary
for such Securities as contemplated by Section 301.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any
statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the
Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 205 (or such
legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities).
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Security Register.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof,
including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental
indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture,
respectively. The term "Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular
series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.
"interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount
Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest
payable after Maturity.
-3-
<PAGE> 12
"Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Security, means
the Stated Maturity of an instalment of interest on such Security.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on
which the principal of such Security or an instalment of principal becomes due
and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
"Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in
Section 501(4).
"Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of
the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, of
the Company and delivered to the Trustee. The officer signing the Company's
Officer's Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal
executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
"Opinion of Counsel" means, as to the Company, a written opinion of
counsel, who may be counsel for the Company and who shall be acceptable to the
Trustee.
"Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides
for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon
a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.
"Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the
date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any
Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated
in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent)
for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are
to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to
this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been
made;
(3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant
to Section 1402; and
(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated
and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in
respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser
in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any
request, demand, authorization, direction,
-4-
<PAGE> 13
notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the
principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to
be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due
and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such
date pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount
payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal
amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the
amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, (C) the
principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar
equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by
Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a
Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as
provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other
obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company of such other
obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
"Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the
Company.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any
series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and
interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as
contemplated by Section 301.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the
same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
"Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose
as contemplated by Section 301.
"Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this
Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture.
-5-
<PAGE> 14
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 305.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any
Subsidiary that represents 10% or more of the Company's total consolidated
assets at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial
information is available or 10% or more of the Company's consolidated net
revenues or consolidated operating income for the most recent four quarters for
which financial information is available.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
"Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any
instalment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in
such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such
instalment of principal or interest is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (1) a corporation more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (2) any
other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or one or more
other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership
and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force
at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and
if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with
respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to
Securities of that series.
"U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 1404.
"Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president".
"Voting Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person which
ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing
similar functions) of such Person, whether
-6-
<PAGE> 15
at all times or only so long as no senior class of securities has such voting
power by reason of any contingency.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Subsidiary of such
Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of
which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by
such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by
such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take
or refrain from taking any action under any provision of this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be
required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall
be given in the form of an Officer's Certificate, if to be given by an officer
of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall
comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other
requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or
-7-
<PAGE> 16
representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or
opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may
be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or
opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating
that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession
of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care
should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to
such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or
taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and
the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by
a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing,
or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any
other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to
give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the
Company may
-8-
<PAGE> 17
not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply
with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or
direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant
to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series
on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the
relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record
date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on
or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new
record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set
pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall
automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect),
and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any
action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly
after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own
expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders
and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to
each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join
in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of
acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with
no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant
series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set
pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause
notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable
Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of
Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party
hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration
Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or
later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the
proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and
to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date
is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section,
the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially
designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with
respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided
in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be
later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
-9-
<PAGE> 18
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to
all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly
appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with
regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to
be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be
sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed
in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention:
Corporate Finance Trust Services, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be
sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly
provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, addressed
to the Company at the address of its principal office specified in the
first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously
furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any),
prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is
given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any
notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders. If notice is mailed to Holders in the
manner provided in this Section 106, it is duly given, whether or not the
addressee receives it. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner,
such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such
notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the
equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the
Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of
any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision
of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and
govern this Indenture, the latter provision
-10-
<PAGE> 19
shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any
provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the
latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to
be excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are
for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall
bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforce ability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder
and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under this Indenture.
SECTION 112. Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the law of the State of New York.
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, purchase
date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place
of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of
the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states
that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or
principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on
such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of
Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date or purchase date, or at the Stated Maturity.
-11-
<PAGE> 20
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set
forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or
pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto,
in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any
securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their
execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by
action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of
such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such
Securities.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on
steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined
by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of
such Securities.
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.
[Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue
Code and the regulations thereunder.]
Stone Energy Corporation
----------------------------------------------
No. $
------------ ----------
Stone Energy Corporation a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term includes any
successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to _________________________________________,
or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________________________
Dollars on _______________________ [if the Security is to bear interest prior to
Maturity, insert -- , and to pay interest thereon from ____________ or from the
most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, semi- annually on ____________ and ____________ in each year,
commencing _________, at the rate of ___% per annum, until the principal hereof
is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium,
and any such instalment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the
rate of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be
legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or
made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The
interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest
Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid
-12-
<PAGE> 21
to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest, which shall be the ______ or ______ (whether or not a
Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith
cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be
paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice
whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10
days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as
may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert --
The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a
default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated
Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall
bear interest at the rate of ....% per annum (to the extent that the payment of
such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due
until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue
principal or premium shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on overdue
principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate
of ......% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on
interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the
amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any
overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable,
insert -- any sucH] interest on this Security will be made at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in ............, in such coin
or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the
option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.
Dated:
Stone Energy Corporation
By
--------------------------------
-13-
<PAGE> 22
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more
series under an Indenture, dated as of _________________ (herein called the
"Indenture", which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such
instrument), among the Company and ________________________________, as Trustee
(herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under
the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of
the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder
of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms
upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This
Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable,
insert -- , limited in aggregate principal amount to $_______________].
[If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, [if applicable, insert --
(1) on _____________ in any year commencing with the year ______ and ending with
the year __________ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a
Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after ___________, 19__], as a whole or in part, at
the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as
percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert -- on
or before ..............., ...%, and if redeemeD] during the 12-month period
beginning ............. of the years indicated,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redemption Redemption
Year Price Year Price
- ---- ---------- ---- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert -- (whether
through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to
the Redemption Date, but interest instalments whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities,
or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the
Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, (1) on ____________ in
any year commencing with the year ____ and ending with the year ____ through
operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for
redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of
the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after ____________], as a whole or in part, at the
election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than
-14-
<PAGE> 23
through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal
amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period
beginning ____________ of the years indicated,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redemption Price
For Redemption Redemption Price For
Through Operation Redemption Otherwise
of the Than Through Operation
Year Sinking Fund of the Sinking Fund
- ---- ----------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to .....% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the
sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but
interest instalments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption
Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more
Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert -- Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
may not, prior to _____________, redeem any Securities of this series as
contemplated by [if applicable, insert -- Clause (2) oF] the preceding paragraph
as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application,
directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the
Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of
less than _____% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert -- The sinking fund for this series provides for
the redemption on ____________ in each year beginning with the year _______ and
ending with the year ______ of [if applicable, insert -- not less than
$__________ ("mandatory sinking fund") and not more than] $_________ aggregate
principal amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series
acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable,
insert -- mandatorY] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent
[if applicable, insert -- mandatorY] sinking fund payments otherwise required to
be made [if applicable, insert -- , in the inverse order in which they become
duE].]
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert -- In the
event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities
of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be
issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert -- The Indenture contains provisions for
Defeasance at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or]
[certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this
Security] [, in each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in
the Indenture.]
-15-
<PAGE> 24
[If the Security is convertible into Common Stock of the Company,
insert -- Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this
Security is entitled, at its option, at any time on or before [insert
date](except that, in case this Security or any portion hereof shall be called
for redemption, such right shall terminate with respect to this Security or
portion hereof, as the case may be, so called for redemption at the close of
business on the date fixed for redemption as provided in the Indenture unless
the Company defaults in making the payment due upon redemption), to convert the
principal amount of this Security (or any portion hereof which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof [if applicable, insert the equivalent thereof in one
or more foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies]), into fully
paid and non-assessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest
1/100th of a share) of the Common Stock of the Company, as said shares shall be
constituted at the date of conversion, at the conversion price of [$]________
principal amount of Securities for each share of Common Stock, or at the
adjusted conversion price in effect at the date of conversion determined as
provided in the Indenture, upon surrender of this Security, together with the
conversion notice hereon duly executed, to the Company at the designated office
or agency of the Company in ________, accompanied (if so required by the
Company) by instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and to
the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder or by its duly authorized attorney in
writing. Such surrendering shall, if made during any period beginning at the
close of business on a Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business
on the Interest Payment Date next following such Regular Record Date (unless
this Security or the portion being converted shall have been called for
redemption on a Redemption Date during such period), also be accompanied by
payment of an amount equal to the Interest payable on such Interest Payment Date
on the principal amount of this Security then being converted. Subject to the
aforesaid requirement for payment and, in the case of a conversion after the
Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date and on or before
such Interest Payment Date, to the right of the Holder of this Security (or any
Predecessor Security) of record at such Regular Record Date to receive an
installment of interest (with certain exceptions provided in the Indenture), no
adjustment is to be made on conversion for interest accrued hereon or for
dividends on shares of Common Stock issued on conversion. The Company is not
required to issue fractional shares upon any such conversion, but shall make
adjustment therefor in cash on the basis of the current market value of such
fractional interest as provided in the Indenture. The conversion price is
subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture. In addition, the Indenture
provides that in case of certain consolidations or mergers to which the Company
is a party or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, the
Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of Securities, so
that this Security, if then outstanding, will be convertible thereafter, during
the period this Security shall be convertible as specified above, only into the
kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the
consolidation, merger or sale by a holder of the number of shares of Common
Stock into which this Security might have been converted immediately prior to
such consolidation, merger or sale (assuming such holder of Common Stock failed
to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind and amount
received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares) [if applicable,
insert-- , assuming if such consolidation, merger or sale is prior to [date],
that this Security were convertible at the time of such consolidation, merger or
sale at the initial conversion price specified above as adjusted from to such
time pursuant to the Indenture]. In the event of conversion of this Security in
part only, a new Security or Securities for the unconverted portion hereof shall
be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If the Security is convertible into other securities or property,
specify the conversion features and the form of conversion notice pursuant to
Section 206 hereof.]
-16-
<PAGE> 25
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert --
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and
be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared
due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If
an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be
continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to -- insert formula for determining the
amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable
and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each
case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the
principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series
shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at
the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount
of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the
Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company
with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of
this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all
future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration
of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or
for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given
the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of
Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee
shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with
such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60
days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing
shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the
enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon
on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.
-17-
<PAGE> 26
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security
Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any
premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of
this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same
aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $_______ and any integral multiple thereof.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal
amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
SECTION 204. Form of Conversion Notice.
To Stone Energy Corporation
The undersigned owner of this Security hereby irrevocably exercises the
option to convert this Security, or portion hereof (which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock of the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this
Security, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon the
conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any
Securities representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and
delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been
indicated below. If this Notice is being delivered on a date after the close of
business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the opening of business on the
related Interest Payment Date (unless this Security or the portion thereof being
converted has been called for redemption on a Redemption Date within such
period), this Notice is accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the
interest payable on such Interest Payment Date of the principal of this Security
to be converted. If shares are to be issued in the name of a Person other than
the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with
-18-
<PAGE> 27
respect hereto. Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of
interest accompanies this Security.
Principal Amount to be Converted (in an integral multiple of
$1,000, if less than all [if applicable, insert the
equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies,
currency units or composite currencies]):
[$]
-------------
Dated
---------------- -------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
Signature
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an
institution which is a member of one of
the following recognized signature
Guarantee Programs: (i) The Securities
Transfer Agent Medallion Program
(STAMP);
(ii) The New York Stock Exchange
Medallion Program (MNSP); (iii) The
Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP)
or (iv) another guarantee program
acceptable to the Trustee.
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
Signature Guarantee
Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock and Security if to be
issued otherwise than to the registered holder.
- ----------------------------
(Name)
- ----------------------------
(Address)
Please print Name and Address
(including zip code number)
Social Security or other Taxpayer
Identifying Number
------------------
-19-
<PAGE> 28
SECTION 205. Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the
Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered
hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A
SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE
REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE
THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
SECTION 206. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially
the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
-----------------------------------,
As Trustee
By
----------------------------------
Authorized Officer
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated
and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer's Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance
of Securities of any series,
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall
distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other
series);
-20-
<PAGE> 29
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the
Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon
registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other
Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or
1202 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are
deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
(3) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the
principal amount thereof) at which the Securities will be issued and, if
other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to
Section 502;
(4) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert or exchange
Securities of the series into shares of Common Stock or other Securities
or property of the Company or other issuers;
(5) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series
shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(6) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities
of the series is payable;
(7) the rate or rates at which any Securities of the series
shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such
interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such
interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such
interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
(8) the place or places where the principal of and any premium
and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable;
(9) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at
which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the
series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company
and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any
election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or
purchase any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or
analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the
period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the
terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be
redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(11) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series
shall be issuable;
-21-
<PAGE> 30
(12) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on
any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index
or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be
determined;
(13) if other than the currency of the United States of America,
the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or
any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable
and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of
the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of
the definition of "Outstanding" in Section 101;
(14) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any
Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company
or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other
than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the
currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any
premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made
shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions
upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the
manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(15) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of
any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or
more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed
to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any
purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof
which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated
Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior
to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such
amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(16) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which
applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of
the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the
principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;
(17) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole
or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 1402 or
Section 1403 or both such Sections and, if other than by a Board
Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease
such Securities shall be evidenced;
(18) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be
issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities
and, in such case, the respective Depositories for such Global
Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any
such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in
Section 205 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set
forth in Clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 305 in which any
such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities
registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part
may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the
Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;
-22-
<PAGE> 31
(19) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in
Article Ten which applies to Securities of the series; and
(20) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted
by Section 901(5)).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except
as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the
Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or
determined in the manner provided, in the Officer's Certificate referred to
above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken
pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action
shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer's
Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in fully registered
form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified denomination
with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series
shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its President or one of its Vice
Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon. The signature of any of
these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may
be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at
any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of
this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the
authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance
with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the
form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or
pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and 301,
in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities
under this Indenture in relation to such
-23-
<PAGE> 32
Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section
601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or
pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form
has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or
pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms
have been established in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture; and
(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid
and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance
with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
principles.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer's Certificate otherwise
required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel
otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the
authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered
at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security
of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder
but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such
Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all
purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been
authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the
Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, temporary Securities which
-24-
<PAGE> 33
are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in
any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive
Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers
executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such
Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary
Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of
such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without
charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive
Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor
and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of
any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the
registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby
appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and
transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series
at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series,
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of
the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged
for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of
like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to
be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so
surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is
entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or
for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
-25-
<PAGE> 34
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security
Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized
in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.
If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue,
register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that
series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the
opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of
redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103 and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register
the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or
in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to
Global Securities:
(1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture
shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such
Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or
a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security
shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no
Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities
registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may
be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for
such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i)
has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there shall have occurred
and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global
Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition
to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.
(3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global
Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all
Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion
thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such
Global Security shall direct.
(4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration
of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or
any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306,
906 or 1107 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the
form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is
registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such
Global Security or a nominee thereof.
-26-
<PAGE> 35
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal
amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence
to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii)
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and
any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security
of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu
of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the destroyed,
lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid
to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein
called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder
on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and
such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:
-27-
<PAGE> 36
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or
their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted
Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall
notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest
proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the
proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be
paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the
proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this
Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date
for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than
15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed
payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the
notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the
Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense
of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such
Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to
each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in
Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.
Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special
Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall
be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or
their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of
business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable
pursuant to the following Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on
the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent
with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such
Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the
proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be
deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Subject to the provisions of Section 1302, in the case of any Security
which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security the principal of (or
premium, if any, on)) which shall become due and payable, whether at a Stated
Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise,
prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such
Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date
notwithstanding such conversion and such interest (whether or not punctually
paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that
Security (or any one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close
of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided
in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is
converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion of
such Security shall not be payable.
-28-
<PAGE> 37
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and
(subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other
purposes what soever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 309. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, purchase,
registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund
payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered
to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company
may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities
previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have
acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any
other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities
previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold,
and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No
Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities
cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this
Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as
directed by a Company Order.
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when
(1) either
-29-
<PAGE> 38
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed,
lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided
in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has
theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in
trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or
discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their
Stated Maturity within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within
one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee
for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee
in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust
funds in trust for the purpose money in an amount sufficient to
pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not
theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for
principal and any premium and interest to the date of such
deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and
payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the
case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums
payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge
of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of
the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall
have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of
this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last
paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust
and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any
-30-
<PAGE> 39
Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the
Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any
premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of
any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected
by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of
that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such
default for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on
any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and
as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or
warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in
this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included
in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other
than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period
of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail,
to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and
requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default" hereunder; or
(5) a default under the terms of any instrument evidencing or
securing any Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary having an outstanding
principal amount of $10 million individually or in the aggregate which
default results in the acceleration of the payment of all or any portion
of such Debt or constitutes the failure to pay all or any portion of the
principal amount of such Debt when due; or
(6) the rendering of a final judgment or judgments (not subject
to appeal) against the Company or any Subsidiary in an amount in excess
of $10 million which remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60
days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired;
-31-
<PAGE> 40
(7) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of
(A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, any
Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that together would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding
under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging
the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that
together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or
insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect
of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries
that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under any
applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of
the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that
together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial
part of its or their property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation
of its or their affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order
for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a
period of 60 consecutive days; or
(8) the commencement by the Company, any Significant Subsidiary
or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal
or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or
of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or
insolvent, or the consent by it or them to the entry of a decree or order
for relief in respect of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any
group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or
proceeding against it or them, or the filing by it or them of a petition
or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any
applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it or them to the
filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by
a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or
other similar official of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any
group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its or their property, or the
making by it or them of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
the admission by it or them in writing of its or their inability to pay
its or their debts generally as they become due, or the taking of
corporate action by the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group
of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary
in furtherance of any such action; or
(9) any other Event of Default provided with respect to
Securities of that series.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(7) or 501(8)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that
series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be
specified by the terms thereof) to be due and
-32-
<PAGE> 41
payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee
if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or
specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of
Default specified in Section 501(7) or 501 (8) with respect to Securities of any
series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the
Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original
Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such
Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and
without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any
Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that
series,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any
Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than
by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at
the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is
lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder
and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel;
and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that
series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that
series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration,
have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any
Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default
continues for a period of 30 days, or
-33-
<PAGE> 42
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue
principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further
amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and
enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by
such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual
to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of
any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any
power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other
obligor upon the Securities, or the property or creditors of the Company, the
Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or
otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act
in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such
proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and
receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims
and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee,
liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the
Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such
payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for
the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its
agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided,
however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election
of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors'
or other similar committee.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities
may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of
the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and
any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought
-34-
<PAGE> 43
in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment
shall, after provision for the payment of the compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such
judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium
or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the
payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 607; and
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of
which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably,
without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due
and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and
interest, respectively.
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute
any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for
the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder,
unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the
Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities
of that series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to
the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default
in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such
proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or
-35-
<PAGE> 44
prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to
obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any
right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the
equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest and to Convert.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307)
interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities
expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or offer by the
Company to purchase the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, on
the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable) and to convert such
Securities in accordance with the terms thereof, and to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment or right of conversion, and such rights shall
not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any
right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued
or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or
to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in
such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of
Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee
or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and
in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to
exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any
such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an
acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by
-36-
<PAGE> 45
this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from
time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the
Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Securities of such series, provided that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law
or with this Indenture, and
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such
series and its consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any Security of such series (including any Security which is
required to have been purchased by the Company pursuant to an offer to
purchase by the Company made pursuant to the terms of this Indenture), or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to
file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against
any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust
Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act
shall be deemed to
-37-
<PAGE> 46
authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment
in any suit instituted by the Company.
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by
the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder,
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein
expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct
or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series,
the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such
default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided,
however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section
501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to Securities of such series.
-38-
<PAGE> 47
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order,
bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order,
and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently
evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to
taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless
other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer's Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice
of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or
other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make
such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it
may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further
inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books,
records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
and
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or
through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for
any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney
appointed with due care by it hereunder.
-39-
<PAGE> 48
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company
and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility
for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor
any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security
Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise
agreed with the Company.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for all
services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a
trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse
the Trustee upon its request for all expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this
Indenture (including the compensation and the expenses and disbursements
of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or
advance as may be attributable to its gross negligence or bad faith; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross
negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with
the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its
powers or duties hereunder. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders
services after the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
paragraph (7) or (8) of Section 501 of this Indenture, such expenses and
the
-40-
<PAGE> 49
compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. For the
purposes of this paragraph, "Insolvency" or Liquidation Proceeding"
means, with respect to any Person, (a) an insolvency or bankruptcy case
or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or
similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to such
Person or its creditors, as such, or its assets, or (b) any liquidation,
dissolution or other winding-up proceeding of such Person, whether
voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or
bankruptcy or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any
other marshaling of assets and liabilities of such Person.
SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent
permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to
Securities of more than one series.
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for
Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such, and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section
and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article.
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 611.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one
or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall
not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such
notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of such series.
-41-
<PAGE> 50
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of
any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after
written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a
bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by
any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or
control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all
Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or
if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to
the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall
promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities
of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may
be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series
and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the
Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable
requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal
or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series
delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so
appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in
accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that
extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been
so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the
manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a
Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of
Securities of such series in the manner provided in
-42-
<PAGE> 51
Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust
Office.
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect
to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the
Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money
held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect
to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring
Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more
series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each
successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such
provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to
vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which
the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee
is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any
and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the
first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
-43-
<PAGE> 52
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated,
but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger,
conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such
authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect
as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company or
any other obligor upon the Securities, the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company or any such other obligor.
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to
one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of
the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue
and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or
pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to
the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be
deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be
acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof
or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating
Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and
subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such
Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then
for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
-44-
<PAGE> 53
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities
of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any
successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions
of Section 607.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
---------------------------------,
As Trustee
By
---------------------------------,
As Authenticating Agent
By
---------------------------------,
Authorized Officer
-45-
<PAGE> 54
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(1) semi-annually, not later than ____________ and __________ in
each year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of
the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of
the preceding ________ or _________, as the case may be, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing,
within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a
list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior
to the time such list is furnished;
excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its
capacity as Security Registrar.
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to
their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding
rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust
Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure
of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee
and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
-46-
<PAGE> 55
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company
will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 704. Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit
to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries
thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and
in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such information,
documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within
15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not, in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions, consolidate with or merge into any other Person or permit any
other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company or, directly or
indirectly, transfer, convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets, unless:
(1) in a transaction in which the Company does not survive or in
which the Company transfers, conveys, sells, leases or otherwise disposes
of all or substantially all of its assets, the successor entity (for
purposes of this Article Eight, a "Successor Company") shall be a
corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly
existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State
thereof or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by an
indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in
form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the
performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part
of the Company to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and
treating any indebted ness which becomes an obligation of the Company or
any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by
the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event
of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both,
would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;
(3) if, as a result of any such consolidation or merger or such
conveyance, transfer or lease, properties or assets of the Company would
become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other
encumbrance which would not be permitted by this
-47-
<PAGE> 56
Indenture, the Company or such successor Person, as the case may be,
shall take such steps as shall be necessary effectively to secure the
Securities equally and ratably with (or prior to) all indebtedness
secured thereby;
(4) any other conditions provided pursuant to Section 301 with
respect to the Securities of a series are satisfied; and
(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a
supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction,
such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction
have been complied with.
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into, any other Person or any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the
Company as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the Successor Company
shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power
of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor
Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case
of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and
covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a
Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter
into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the
Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company
and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company
herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of
the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are
to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that
such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of
such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
Company; or
(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of
the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional
Events of Default are to be for the benefit
-48-
<PAGE> 57
of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional
Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of
such series); or
(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture
to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance
of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to
principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or
facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this
Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that
any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to
any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such
supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor
(ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to
such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such
Security Outstanding; or
(6) to secure the Securities; or
(7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series
as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or
(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or
more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this
Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the
administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant
to the requirements of Section 611; or
(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any
provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters
or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action
pursuant to this Clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of
the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
instalment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium
payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount
-49-
<PAGE> 58
of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other
Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change
any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the
right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or
after the Redemption Date or in the case of an offer to purchase
Securities which has been made pursuant to a covenant contained in this
Indenture, on or after the applicable purchase date), in a manner adverse
to the Holders, or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is
required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this
Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided
for in this Indenture, or
(3) if applicable, make any change that adversely affects the
right to convert any Security to which the provisions of Article Thirteen
are applicable or, except as provided in this Indenture, decrease the
conversion rate or increase the conversion price of any Security, or
(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
Section 1009, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to
require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the
references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section and
Section 1009, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8); or
(5) following the making of an offer to purchase Securities
which has been made pursuant to a covenant contained in this Indenture,
modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such offer to
purchase in a manner adverse to such Holder.
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant
or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the
-50-
<PAGE> 59
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Officer's Certificate and Opinion of Counsel
stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or
permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to,
enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own
rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution
of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if
required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to
any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so
determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the
opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared and executed by the Company and such new Securities may be
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding
Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of
the Securities and this Indenture.
-51-
<PAGE> 60
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of
Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented
or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture
may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any
time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent
to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented
or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind
such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission
shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office
or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such
purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such
designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other
office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series,
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a
sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due
until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein
provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to
act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series
of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any
premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying
Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by
the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the
Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities
other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in
which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions
of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the
continuance of any default by the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities of that series in the making of any payment in respect of the
Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith
pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in
respect of the Securities of that series.
-52-
<PAGE> 61
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in
trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee
upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or
such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee,
such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to
such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years
after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be
paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall
be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter,
as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof,
and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust
money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon
cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily
published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New
York, New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date
specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such
publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid
to the Company.
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.
(a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officer's
Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof
the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms,
provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of
grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be
in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of
which they may have knowledge.
(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in
any event within five days after the Company becomes aware or should reasonably
become aware of the occurrence of an Event of Default or an event which, with
notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an
Officer's Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or
default, and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 1005. Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise
if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is
-53-
<PAGE> 62
no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the
loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of
its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment
and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may
be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the
operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in
the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the
business of any Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material respect to
the Holders.
SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged,
before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or
upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2)
all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by
law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to
be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount,
applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings.
SECTION 1008. Maintenance of Insurance.
The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep at all times
all of their properties which are of an insurable nature insured against loss or
damage with insurers believed by the Company to be responsible to the extent
that property of similar character is usually so insured by corporations
similarly situated and owning like properties in accordance with good business
practice.
SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of
any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision
or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(20),
901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before the
time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders,
either waive such compliance in such
-54-
<PAGE> 63
instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition,
but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition
except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become
effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in
respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and
effect.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated
Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in
accordance with this Article.
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced
by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section
301 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the
Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such
redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 60
days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice
shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption
Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and,
if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any
redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such
redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this
Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer's Certificate
evidencing compliance with such restriction.
SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless
all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or
unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular
Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series
not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem
fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a
portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series, provided that
the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an
authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized
denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series
and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only
a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected
not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the
Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called
for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
-55-
<PAGE> 64
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part
before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the
Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so
far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have
been converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated
by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the
Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities
selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be
redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with
respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such
Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such
redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the
Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than
the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the
portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be
redeemed.
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to
each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the
Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
(2) the Redemption Price,
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series
consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the
identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such
Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be
redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series
consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount
of the particular Security to be redeemed,
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become
due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if
applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said
date,
(5) if applicable, the conversion price, and that the date on
which the right to convert the principal of the Securities or the
portions thereof to be redeemed will terminate
-56-
<PAGE> 65
will be the Redemption Date and the place or places where such Securities
may be surrendered for conversion,
(6) the place or places where each such Security is to be
surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, and
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the
case.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee
or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent,
segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date
shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which
are to be redeemed on that date, other than any Securities called for redemption
on that date which have been converted prior to the date of such deposit.
If any Security or portion thereof called for redemption is converted,
any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated
and held in trust for the redemption of such Security or portion thereof shall
(subject to any right of the Holder of such Security or any Predecessor Security
to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 307) be paid to
the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be
discharged from such trust.
SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, instalments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on
or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the
Security.
-57-
<PAGE> 66
SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at
a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires,
due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge,
a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any
authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of
the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
[INTENTIONALLY DELETED]
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of
any series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, and
the issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such
Securities, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the
Securities of such series.
SECTION 1302. Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security of
a series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company at
the office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002,
accompanied by written notice to the Company that the Holder elects to convert
such Security or a specified portion thereof. Such notice shall also state, if
different from the name and address of such Holder, the name or names (with
address) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock
which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued. Securities
surrendered for conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee)
be duly endorsed by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in forms
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the registered
Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and Securities so surrendered
for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular
Record Date to the opening of business on the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date (excluding Securities or portions thereof called for redemption during such
period) shall also be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest
payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of such Security
then being converted, and such interest shall be payable to such registered
Holder notwithstanding the conversion of such
-58-
<PAGE> 67
Security, subject to the provisions of Section 307 relating to the payment of
Defaulted Interest by the Company. As promptly as practicable after the receipt
of such notice and of any payment required pursuant to a Board Resolution and,
subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an
Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental
hereto setting forth the terms of such series of Security, and the surrender of
such Security in accordance with such reasonable procedures as the Company may
prescribe, the Company shall issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at
which such Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order, a
certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the conversion of such Security (or specified portion thereof), in
accordance with the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate
or supplemental indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect of any
fractional share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such conversion.
Such conversion shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the
close of business on the date on which such notice and such payment, if
required, shall have been received in proper order for conversion by the Company
and such Security shall have been surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder
shall have so surrendered such Security and shall have instructed the Company to
effect the conversion on a particular date following such surrender and such
Holder shall be entitled to convert such Security on such date, in which case
such conversion shall be deemed to be effected immediately prior to the close of
business on such date) and at such time the rights of the Holder of such
Security as such Security Holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose
name or names any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock of the
Company shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become
the Holder or Holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set
forth above and subject to the final paragraph of Section 307, no payment or
adjustment shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued
on the Securities surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on
the Common Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion.
In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such
conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company,
a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations, in
aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of such Security.
SECTION 1303. No Fractional Shares.
No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued upon
conversions of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be
surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full
shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of
the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof
to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the provisions of
this Section 1303, any Holder of a Security or Securities would be entitled to a
fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of such
Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the Company shall pay to
such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current market value of such
fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is listed or admitted to
unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange, on the basis of
the last reported sale price regular way on such exchange on the last trading
day prior to the date of conversion upon which such a sale shall have been
effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at the time so listed or
-59-
<PAGE> 68
admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange, on
the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of such Common Stock in the
over-the-counter market, on the last trading day prior to the date of
conversion, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or
similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated is no longer
reporting such information, or if not so available, the fair market price as
determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section, "trading
day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday other than
any day an which the Common Stock is not traded on the New York Stock Exchange,
or if the Common Stock is not traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the
principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is traded or quoted.
SECTION 1304. Adjustment of Conversion Price.
The conversion price of Securities of any series that is convertible into
Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock
splits, reclassification, combinations or similar transactions in accordance
with the term of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting forth
the terms of the Securities of such series.
Whenever the conversion price is adjusted, the Company shall compute the
adjusted conversion price in accordance with terms of the applicable Board
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' Certificate
setting forth the adjusted conversion price and showing in reasonable detail the
facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith
be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of
Securities pursuant to Section 1002 and, if different, with the Trustee. The
Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted conversion
price to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of
such series at its address appearing on the Security Register and to any
conversion agent other than the Trustee.
SECTION 1305. Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.
In case:
(a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other
distribution) on its Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its
retained earnings (other than a dividend for which approval of any stockholders
of the Company is required); or
(b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of
its Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any
shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights (other than any such
grant for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required); or
(c) of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company
(other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common
Stock, or of any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company is
a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required),
or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
-60-
<PAGE> 69
(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Company;
then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee, and shall cause to be
mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the
Securities Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in
clause (a) or (b) above) prior to the applicable record date hereinafter
specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for
the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants, or, if
a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of
record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or
warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date on which such reclassification,
consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that
holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of
Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution,
liquidation or winding up. If at any time the Trustee shall not be the
conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also forthwith be filed by the
Company with the Trustee.
SECTION 1306. Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.
The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, the full number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding
Securities of any series that has conversion rights.
SECTION 1307. Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion.
The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of
the issue or delivery of shares of its Common Stock on conversion of Securities
pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax
which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and
delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder
of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue or delivery
shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the
Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to the satisfaction of
the Company, that such tax has been paid.
SECTION 1308. Nonassessability.
The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the
terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
SECTION 1309. Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.
In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the
Company into or with any other Person, or in case of any sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Company or the Person formed
by such consolidation or the Person into which the Company shall have been
merged or the Person which shall have acquired such assets, as the case may be,
shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in accordance
with Section 801
-61-
<PAGE> 70
providing that the Holder of each Security then outstanding of any series that
is convertible into Common Stock of the Company shall have the right, which
right shall be the exclusive conversion right thereafter available to said
Holder (until the expiration of the conversion right of such Security), to
convert such Security into the kind and amount of shares of stock or other
securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation,
merger or sale by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company into which such Security might have been converted immediately prior to
such consolidation, merger or sale, subject to compliance with the other
provisions of this Indenture, such Security and such supplemental indenture.
Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which shall be as
nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in such
Security. The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to
successive consolidations, mergers or sales. It is expressly agreed and
understood that anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if,
pursuant to such merger, consolidation or sale, holders of outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company do not receive shares of common stock of the
surviving corporation but receive other securities, cash or other property or
any combination thereof, Holders of Securities shall not have the right to
thereafter convert their Securities into common stock of the surviving
corporation or the corporation which shall have acquired such assets, but
rather, shall have the right upon such conversion to receive the other
securities, cash or other property receivable by a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company into which the Securities held by such
holder might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger
or sale, all as more fully provided in the first sentence of this Section 1309.
Anything in this Section 1309 to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of
this Section 1309 shall not apply to a merger or consolidation of another
corporation with or into the Company pursuant to which both of the following
conditions are applicable: (i) the Company is the surviving corporation and (ii)
the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are not changed or
converted into any other securities or property (including cash) or changed in
number or character or reclassified pursuant to the terms of such merger or
consolidation.
As evidence of the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities
or property (including cash) into which Securities may properly be convertible
after any such consolidation, merger or sale, or as to the appropriate
adjustments of the conversion prices applicable with respect thereto, the
Trustee shall be furnished with and may accept the certificate or opinion of an
independent certified public accountant with respect thereto; and, in the
absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively
rely thereon, and shall not be responsible or accountable to any Holder of
Securities for any provision in conformity therewith or approved by such
independent certified accountant which may be contained in said supplemental
indenture.
SECTION 1310. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.
Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under
any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is
convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts
exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion price, or with respect
to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the
method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental indenture, any
resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or
more officers of the Company provided to be employed in making the same. Neither
the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the
validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any
-62-
<PAGE> 71
shares of Common Stock of the Company, or of any securities or property, which
may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Securities and
neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent makes any representation with
respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 601, neither the Trustee
nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to
issue, transfer or deliver any shares of its Common Stock or stock certificates
or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the
purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company
contained in this Article Thirteen or in the applicable supplemental indenture,
resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or
more duly authorized officers of the Company.
SECTION 1311. Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion.
Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or
on its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of
paying the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of
the Securities (including funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in
Article Three hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because
of the conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article Thirteen shall
after such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the Company's
written request by Company Request.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1401. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1402
or Section 1403 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the
case may be, designated pursuant to Section 301 as being defeasible pursuant to
such Section 1402 or 1403, in accordance with any applicable requirements
provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set
forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced in or pursuant
to a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section
301 for such Securities.
SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations, with
respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the
conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter called
"Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such
Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities
and this Indenture insofar as such Securities
-63-
<PAGE> 72
are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute
proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall
survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of
Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in
Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of
the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments
are due, (2) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under
Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties
and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to
compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to
have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise
of its option (if any) to have Section 1403 applied to such Securities.
SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1)
the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 801(4),
Sections 1006 through 1008, inclusive, and any covenants provided pursuant to
Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such
Securities, and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4)
(with respect to any of Section 801(4), Sections 1006 through 1008, inclusive,
and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7)),
501(5), 501(6), and 501(10) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of
Default, and in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this
Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are
satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such
Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may
omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term,
condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent
so specified in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by
reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or Article or by
reason of any reference in any such Section or Article to any other provision
herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such
Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section
1402 or Section 1403 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case
may be:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to
be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the
requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the
provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust
for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged
as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders
of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government
Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment,
money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
-64-
<PAGE> 73
thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall
be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay
and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such
Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the
terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, "U.S.
Government Obligation" means (x) any security which is (i) a direct
obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the
full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or
(ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting
as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the
payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either
case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the
issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as
defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with
respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause
(x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such
depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of
principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so
specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount
received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation
or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such
depositary receipt.
(2) In the event of an election to have Section 1402 apply to
any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the
date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable
Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that,
and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such
Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be
effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal
income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times
as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not
to occur.
(3) In the event of an election to have Section 1403 apply to
any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain
or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and
Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and
will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same
manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and
Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officer's Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor
any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any
securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or
both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities
or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the
time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event
-65-
<PAGE> 74
specified in Sections 501(7) and (8), at any time on or prior to the
121st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this
condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 121st day).
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the
Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust
Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the
meaning of such Act).
(7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in
a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it
is bound.
(8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not cause either the
Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the Investment Company
Act of 1940.
(9) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance have been complied with.
SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be
Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited
with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this
Section and Section 1406, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to
collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any
Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its
own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such
Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal
and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law. Money and U.S. Government
Obligations so held in trust shall not be subject to the provisions of Article
Twelve.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 1504 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee
shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any
money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1404 with
respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
-66-
<PAGE> 75
be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as
the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
SECTION 1406. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any
order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining
or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this
Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or
released pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403 shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such
Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply
all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1405 with respect to such Securities
in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes
any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security
following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment
from the money so held in trust.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1501. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund
for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the
terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund
payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the
terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund
payment". If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any
sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1502.
Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as
provided for by the terms of such Securities.
SECTION 1502. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other
than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit
Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the
Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of
permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such
Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund
payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made
pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by
the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so
-67-
<PAGE> 76
credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited
shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption
Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through
operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall
be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 1503. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 35 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any
Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate
specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such
Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to
Section 1502 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so
delivered. Not less than 32 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date,
the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund
payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the
redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company
in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.
---------------------------
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
-68-
<PAGE> 77
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Stone Energy Corporation
By
-------------------------------------
, as Trustee
-------------------------
By
-------------------------------------
-69-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.5
===============================================================================
Stone Energy Corporation,
as Issuer
TO
-----------------------------
Trustee
--------------
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
Dated as of
-----------------
--------------
===============================================================================
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PARTIES......................................................................1
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY......................................................1
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions....................................................1
Act.................................................................2
Affiliate...........................................................2
Authenticating Agent................................................2
Board of Directors..................................................2
Board Resolution....................................................2
Business Day........................................................2
Capital Stock.......................................................2
Commission..........................................................2
Common Stock........................................................2
Company.............................................................3
Company Request.....................................................3
Company Order.......................................................3
Corporate Trust Office..............................................3
corporation.........................................................3
Covenant Defeasance.................................................3
Defaulted Interest..................................................3
Defeasance..........................................................3
Depositary..........................................................3
Event of Default....................................................3
Exchange Act........................................................3
Expiration Date.....................................................3
Global Security.....................................................3
Holder..............................................................3
Indenture...........................................................3
interest............................................................3
Interest Payment Date...............................................4
Investment Company Act..............................................4
Maturity............................................................4
Notice of Default...................................................4
Officer's Certificate...............................................4
Opinion of Counsel..................................................4
Original Issue Discount Security....................................4
Outstanding.........................................................4
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Paying Agent......................................................5
Person............................................................5
Place of Payment..................................................5
Predecessor Security..............................................5
Redemption Date...................................................5
Redemption Price..................................................5
Regular Record Date...............................................5
Securities........................................................5
Securities Act....................................................6
Security Register.................................................6
Security Registrar................................................6
Senior Debt.......................................................6
Significant Subsidiary............................................6
Special Record Date...............................................6
Stated Maturity...................................................6
Subsidiary........................................................6
Trust Indenture Act...............................................6
Trustee...........................................................6
U.S. Government Obligation........................................6
Vice President....................................................6
Voting Stock......................................................7
Wholly Owned Subsidiary...........................................7
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.........................7
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.......................7
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates................................8
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.......................10
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver...................................10
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act...........................11
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents....................11
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns......................................11
SECTION 110. Separability Clause.........................................11
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.......................................11
SECTION 112. Governing Law...............................................11
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays..............................................11
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.............................................12
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security....................................12
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.................................14
SECTION 204. Form of Conversion Notice...................................19
SECTION 205. Form of Legend for Global Securities........................20
SECTION 206. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.............21
</TABLE>
-ii-
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series...............................21
SECTION 302. Denominations......................................................24
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.....................24
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities...............................................25
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange................26
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities...................27
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.....................28
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners..............................................29
SECTION 309. Cancellation.......................................................30
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest............................................30
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture............................30
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.........................................31
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default..................................................32
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.................33
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee....34
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...................................35
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities........35
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.....................................36
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits................................................36
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest and to Convert............................37
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.................................37
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.....................................37
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.......................................37
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.................................................38
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults............................................38
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs..............................................38
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws............................39
</TABLE>
-iii-
<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.............................39
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults..............................................39
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.......................................39
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities..........40
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.............................................41
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.............................................41
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement..................................41
SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests...........................................42
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.........................42
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor...............42
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor..........................43
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.....44
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company...............45
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.............................45
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.......46
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders..........47
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee..............................................47
SECTION 704. Reports by Company..............................................47
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms............48
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted...........................................49
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders..............49
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.................50
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures............................51
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures...............................51
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.............................52
</TABLE>
-iv-
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures....................52
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest...........................52
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency......................................52
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust....................53
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default..................................54
SECTION 1005. Existence............................................................54
SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties............................................54
SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims....................................55
SECTION 1008. Maintenance of Insurance.............................................55
SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants..........................................55
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.............................................56
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee................................56
SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed....................56
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.................................................57
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price..........................................58
SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date................................58
SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part..........................................59
ARTICLE TWELVE
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article.............................................59
SECTION 1202. Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt................................59
SECTION 1203. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.......................59
SECTION 1204. No Payment When Senior Debt of the Company in Default................60
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default......................................62
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt of the Company.......62
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights..........................62
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination..................................63
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions................................63
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee....................................................63
SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.......64
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt of the Company......64
</TABLE>
-v-
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt of the Company;
Preservation of Trustee's Rights.................................65
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents..................................65
SECTION 1215. Defeasance of this Article Twelve....................................65
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article..............................................65
SECTION 1302. Exercise of Conversion Privilege. ....................................65
SECTION 1303. No Fractional Shares..................................................66
SECTION 1304. Adjustment of Conversion Price........................................67
SECTION 1305. Notice of Certain Corporate Actions...................................67
SECTION 1306. Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.................................68
SECTION 1307. Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion..............................68
SECTION 1308. Nonassessability.....................................................68
SECTION 1309. Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.............69
SECTION 1310. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion................................70
SECTION 1311. Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion............................70
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1401. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.........70
SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.............................................71
SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance..................................................71
SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance......................71
SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be
Held in Trust; Miscella...........................................73
SECTION 1406. Reinstatement........................................................74
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1501. Applicability of Article.............................................75
SECTION 1502. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities................75
SECTION 1503. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund............................75
</TABLE>
-vi-
<PAGE> 8
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING TO SECTIONS
310 THROUGH 318, INCLUSIVE, OF THE TRUST
INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUST INDENTURE
ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION
<S> <C> <C>
Section 310(a)(1) .................................................609
(a)(2) .................................................609
(a)(3) .................................................Not Applicable
(a)(4) .................................................Not Applicable
(b) .................................................608
610
Section 311(a) .................................................613
(b) .................................................613
Section 312(a) .................................................701
702
(b) .................................................702
(c) .................................................702
Section 313(a) .................................................703
(b) .................................................703
(c) .................................................703
(d) .................................................703
Section 314(a) .................................................704
(a)(4) .................................................101
1004
(b) .................................................Not Applicable
(c)(1) .................................................102
(c)(2) .................................................102
(c)(3) .................................................Not Applicable
(d) .................................................Not Applicable
(e) .................................................102
Section 315(a) .................................................601
(b) .................................................602
(c) .................................................601
(d) .................................................601
(e) .................................................514
Section 316(a) .................................................101
(a)(1)(A) ..............................................502
512
(a)(1)(B)...............................................513
(a)(2) .................................................Not Applicable
(b) .................................................508
(c) .................................................104
Section 317(a)(1) .................................................503
(a)(2) .................................................504
(b) .................................................1003
Section 318(a) .................................................107
</TABLE>
- -------------------
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.
<PAGE> 9
INDENTURE, dated as of ___________, among Stone Energy Corporation, a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
(herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at 625 E. Kaliste
Saloom Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, and ___________________________, a
___________ banking corporation, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the
"Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture
provided.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended, that are required to be a part of this Indenture and
shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as
follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned
to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
Indenture Act, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as amend either
directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and, except as otherwise herein
<PAGE> 10
expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles"
with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean
such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of this
instrument;
(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an
"Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case
may be, of this Indenture; and
(5) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified
in Section 104.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing; provided that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of 10% or more
of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to control.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee
pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate
Securities of one or more series.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the
Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act for it in
respect.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
its Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means
each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on
which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated
by law or executive order to close.
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or
other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general
or limited, of such Person.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time
to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after
the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.
"Common Stock" means the Company's common stock, $.01 par value, and
shall include securities of any class, however designated, which are
convertible into such Common Stock.
-2-
<PAGE> 11
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.
"Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice
Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and delivered to the
Trustee.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee in
the City of New York, New York at which at any particular time its corporate
trust business shall be administered.
"corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock
company, limited liability company, partnership or business trust.
"Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1403.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
"Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1402.
"Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable
in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as
Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 301.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any
statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the
Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 205 (or such
legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities).
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Security Register.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof,
including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental
indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture,
respectively. The term "Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular
series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.
"interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount
Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest
payable after Maturity.
-3-
<PAGE> 12
"Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Security, means
the Stated Maturity of an instalment of interest on such Security.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on
which the principal of such Security or an instalment of principal becomes due
and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
"Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in
Section 501(4).
"Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of
the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, of
the Company and delivered to the Trustee. The officer signing the Company's
Officer's Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal
executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
"Opinion of Counsel" means, as to the Company, a written opinion of
counsel, who may be counsel for the Company and who shall be acceptable to the
Trustee.
"Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides
for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon
a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.
"Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the
date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any
Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated
in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent)
for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are
to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to
this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been
made;
(3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant
to Section 1402; and
(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in
exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated
and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities
in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser
in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any
request, demand, authorization, direction,
-4-
<PAGE> 13
notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the
principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed
to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be
due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to
such date pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal
amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the
principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall
be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, (C)
the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign
currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be
the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided
as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or,
in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount
determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company
or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company of
such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding,
except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying
upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned
shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good
faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon
the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
"Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the
Company.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any
series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and
interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as
contemplated by Section 301.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the
same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
"Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose
as contemplated by Section 301.
"Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this
Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture.
-5-
<PAGE> 14
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 305.
"Senior Debt" with respect to any series of Securities shall have the
meaning specified as contemplated by Section 301.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any
Subsidiary that represents 10% or more of the Company's total consolidated
assets at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial
information is available or 10% or more of the Company's consolidated net
revenues or consolidated operating income for the most recent four quarters for
which financial information is available.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means
a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
"Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any
instalment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or
such instalment of principal or interest is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (1) a corporation more than 50% of
the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (2) any
other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or one or more
other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership
and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in
force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however,
that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date,
"Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder,
and if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with
respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to
Securities of that series.
"U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section
1404.
"Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the
Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a
word or words added before or after the title "vice president".
-6-
<PAGE> 15
"Voting Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person which
ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Subsidiary of such
Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of
which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by
such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by
such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take
or refrain from taking any action under any provision of this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be
required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall
be given in the form of an Officer's Certificate, if to be given by an officer
of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall
comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other
requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
-7-
<PAGE> 16
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are
erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as
it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care
should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to
such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or
taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and
the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where
such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of
the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration
of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.
-8-
<PAGE> 17
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to
give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the
Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph
shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice,
declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders,
shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders
remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be
effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date
by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such
series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a
record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the
record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person
be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date
such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record
date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be
given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the
relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to
join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration
of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and
with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by
Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the
relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record
date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense,
shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the
applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each
Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section
106.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the
party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the
"Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any
earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless
notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto
in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the
manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date.
If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set
-9-
<PAGE> 18
pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be
deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the
Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the
Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable
record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take
any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with
regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or
more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment
with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to
be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be
sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed
in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office,
Attention: Corporate Finance Trust Services, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be
sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly
provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, addressed
to the Company at the address of its principal office specified in the
first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously
furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any),
prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders
is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in
any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of
such notice with respect to other Holders. If notice is mailed to Holders in
the manner provided in this Section 106, it is duly given, whether or not the
addressee receives it. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner,
such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such
notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the
equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the
Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of
any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by
mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee
shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
-10-
<PAGE> 19
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a
provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a
part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any
provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust
Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall
be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the
case may be.
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are
for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall
bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforce ability
of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors
hereunder, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders, any benefit or any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 112. Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, purchase
date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any
Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture
or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically
states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of
interest or
-11-
<PAGE> 20
principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on
such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of
Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date or purchase date, or at the Stated Maturity.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set
forth in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or
pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental
hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, sub
situations and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture,
and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such
legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the
rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently
herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced
by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is
established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an
appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to
the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the
authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved
on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.
[Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations thereunder.]
Stone Energy Corporation
--------------------------------
No. $
--------- ---------
Stone Energy Corporation a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term includes
any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to ______________________________________, or
registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________________ Dollars
on ______________________________________________ [if the Security is to bear
interest prior to Maturity, insert -- , and to pay interest thereon from
_____________ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest
has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on ____________ and
____________ in each year, commencing _________, at the rate of ____% per
annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available
-12-
<PAGE> 21
for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such instalment of
interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to
the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from
the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for
payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The interest so payable,
and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
providing such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or
one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on
the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the _______ or _______
(whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such
Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided
for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date
and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series
not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time
in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any
securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and
upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided
in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert --
The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a
default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated
Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall
bear interest at the rate of ____% per annum (to the extent that the payment of
such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are
due until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue
principal or premium shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on overdue
principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the
rate of ______% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on
interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the
amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any
overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable,
insert -- any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in ____________, in such coin
or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the
option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security
set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
-13-
<PAGE> 22
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this
Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid
or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.
Dated:
Stone Energy Corporation
By
-------------------------------------
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or
more series under an Indenture, dated as of _________________ (herein called
the "Indenture", which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such
instrument), among the Company and ________________________________, as Trustee
(herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under
the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement
of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities
thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, the holders of Senior Debt and the
Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and
are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series
designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert --, limited in aggregate
principal amount to $___________].
[If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, [if applicable, insert
- -- (1) on ___________ in any year commencing with the year ______ and ending
with the year ______ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a
Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time
[if applicable, insert -- on or after __________, 19__], as a whole or in part,
at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed
as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert --
on or before _______________, ___%, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period
beginning _____________ of the years indicated,
-14-
<PAGE> 23
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redemption Redemption
Year Price Year Price
- ---- ---------- ---- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert -- (whether
through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to
the Redemption Date, but interest instalments whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of
business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as
provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, (1) on ____________ in
any year commencing with the year ____ and ending with the year ____ through
operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for
redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of
the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after ____________], as a whole or in part, at the
election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise
than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the
principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month
period beginning ____________ of the years indicated,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redemption Price
For Redemption Redemption Price For
Through Operation Redemption Otherwise
of the Than Through Operation
Year Sinking Fund of the Sinking Fund
- ---- ----------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the
sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but
interest instalments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption
Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more
Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
-15-
<PAGE> 24
[If applicable, insert -- Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
may not, prior to _____________, redeem any Securities of this series as
contemplated by [if applicable, insert -- Clause (2) of] the preceding
paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the
application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost
to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial
practice) of less than _____% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert -- The sinking fund for this series provides
for the redemption on ____________ in each year beginning with the year _______
and ending with the year ______ of [if applicable, insert -- not less than
$__________ ("mandatory sinking fund") and not more than] $_________ aggregate
principal amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series
acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable,
insert -- mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent
[if applicable, insert -- mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required
to be made [if applicable, insert -- , in the inverse order in which they
become due].]
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert -- In
the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or
Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof
will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided
in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company, and this Security is issued
subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of
this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so
provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such
purposes.
[If applicable, insert -- The Indenture contains provisions for
Defeasance at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or]
[certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this
Security] [, in each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in
the Indenture.]
[If the Security is convertible into Common Stock of the Company,
insert -- Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this
Security is entitled, at its option, at any time on or before [insert
date](except that, in case this Security or any portion hereof shall be called
for redemption, such right shall terminate with respect to this Security or
portion hereof, as the case may be, so called for redemption at the close of
business on the date fixed for redemption as provided in the Indenture unless
the Company defaults in making the payment due upon redemption), to convert the
principal amount of this Security (or any portion hereof which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof [if applicable, insert the equivalent thereof in one
or more foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies]), into
fully paid and non-assessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the
nearest 1/100th of a share) of the Common Stock of the Company, as said shares
shall be constituted at the date of conversion, at the conversion price of
[$]________ principal amount of Securities for each share of Common Stock, or
at the adjusted conversion price in effect at the date of conversion determined
as provided in the Indenture, upon surrender of this Security, together with
the conversion notice hereon duly executed, to the Company at the designated
office or agency of the
-16-
<PAGE> 25
Company in ________, accompanied (if so required by the Company) by instruments
of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee, duly
executed by the Holder or by its duly authorized attorney in writing. Such
surrendering shall, if made during any period beginning at the close of business
on a Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business on the Interest
Payment Date next following such Regular Record Date (unless this Security or
the portion being converted shall have been called for redemption on a
Redemption Date during such period), also be accompanied by payment of an amount
equal to the Interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal
amount of this Security then being converted. Subject to the aforesaid
requirement for payment and, in the case of a conversion after the Regular
Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date and on or before such
Interest Payment Date, to the right of the Holder of this Security (or any
Predecessor Security) of record at such Regular Record Date to receive an
installment of interest (with certain exceptions provided in the Indenture), no
adjustment is to be made on conversion for interest accrued hereon or for
dividends on shares of Common Stock issued on conversion. The Company is not
required to issue fractional shares upon any such conversion, but shall make
adjustment therefor in cash on the basis of the current market value of such
fractional interest as provided in the Indenture. The conversion price is
subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture. In addition, the Indenture
provides that in case of certain consolidations or mergers to which the Company
is a party or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, the
Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of Securities, so
that this Security, if then outstanding, will be convertible thereafter, during
the period this Security shall be convertible as specified above, only into the
kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the
consolidation, merger or sale by a holder of the number of shares of Common
Stock into which this Security might have been converted immediately prior to
such consolidation, merger or sale (assuming such holder of Common Stock failed
to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind and amount
received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares) [if applicable,
insert-- , assuming if such consolidation, merger or sale is prior to [date],
that this Security were convertible at the time of such consolidation, merger or
sale at the initial conversion price specified above as adjusted from to such
time pursuant to the Indenture]. In the event of conversion of this Security in
part only, a new Security or Securities for the unconverted portion hereof shall
be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If the Security is convertible into other securities or property,
specify the conversion features and the form of conversion notice pursuant to
Section 206 hereof.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert --
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur
and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If
an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and
be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to -- insert formula for determining the
amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable
and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each
case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the
principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series
shall terminate.]
-17-
<PAGE> 26
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with
the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities
at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in
principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on
behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by
the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults
under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the
Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and
upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the
registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof,
whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee
or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously
given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect
to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made
written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such
Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and
the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction
inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such
proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of
indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder
of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any
premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed
herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security
Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any
premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities
of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same
aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $_______ and any integral multiple thereof.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate
-18-
<PAGE> 27
principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different
authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
SECTION 204. Form of Conversion Notice.
To Stone Energy Corporation
The undersigned owner of this Security hereby irrevocably exercises
the option to convert this Security, or portion hereof (which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock of the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this
Security, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon the
conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any
Securities representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and
delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been
indicated below. If this Notice is being delivered on a date after the close of
business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the opening of business on the
related Interest Payment Date (unless this Security or the portion thereof
being converted has been called for redemption on a Redemption Date within such
period), this Notice is accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the
interest payable on such Interest Payment Date of the principal of this
Security to be converted. If shares are to be issued in the name of a Person
other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable
with respect hereto. Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on
account of interest accompanies this Security.
Principal Amount to be Converted (in an integral multiple of
$1,000, if less than all [if applicable, insert
the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign
currencies, currency units or composite currencies]):
[$]------------
Dated_____________
-19-
<PAGE> 28
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Signature
Signature(s) must be
guaranteed by an institution
which is a member of one of
the following recognized
signature Guarantee Programs:
(i) The Securities Transfer
Agent Medallion Program
(STAMP);
(ii) The New York Stock
Exchange Medallion Program
(MNSP); (iii) The Stock
Exchange Medallion Program
(SEMP) or (iv) another
guarantee program acceptable
to the Trustee.
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Signature Guarantee
Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock and Security if to
be issued otherwise than to the registered holder.
- ----------------------------
(Name)
- ----------------------------
(Address)
Please print Name and Address
(including zip code number)
Social Security or other Taxpayer
Identifying Number
-----------------
SECTION 205. Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the
Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered
hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A
SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY
BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
INDENTURE.
-20-
<PAGE> 29
SECTION 206. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially
the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
---------------------------,
As Trustee
By
--------------------------
Authorized Officer
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer's Certificate,
or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the
issuance of Securities of any series,
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall
distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other
series);
(2) any change to the subordination provisions which applies to
the Securities of the series from those contained in Article Twelve,
and the definitions of Senior Debt and Designated Senior Debt which
shall apply to the Securities of the series;
(3) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the
Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and
delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in
lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305,
306, 906, 1107 or 1202 and except for any Securities which, pursuant
to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and
delivered hereunder);
-21-
<PAGE> 30
(4) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the
principal amount thereof) at which the Securities will be issued and,
if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof
pursuant to Section 502;
(5) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert or exchange
Securities of the series into shares of Common Stock or other
Securities or property of the Company or other issuers;
(6) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series
shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
(7) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of
the series is payable;
(8) the rate or rates at which any Securities of the series shall
bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest
shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest
shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest
payable on any Interest Payment Date;
(9) the place or places where the principal of and any premium
and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable;
(10) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at
which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the
series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which
any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be
evidenced;
(11) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase
any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or
periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed
or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(12) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the
series shall be issuable;
(13) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on
any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an
index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall
be determined;
(14) if other than the currency of the United States of America,
the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of
or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be
payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the
currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including
for purposes of the definition of "Outstanding" in Section 101;
-22-
<PAGE> 31
(15) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any
Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the
Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency
units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to
be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the
principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which
such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and
the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and
the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be
determined);
(16) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of
any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or
more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be
deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such
date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal
amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other
than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as
of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the
manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be
determined);
(17) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which
applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of
the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the
principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;
(18) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole
or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 1402 or
Section 1403 or both such Sections and, if other than by a Board
Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease
such Securities shall be evidenced;
(19) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be
issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global
Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositories for such
Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be
borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that
set forth in Section 205 and any circumstances in addition to or in
lieu of those set forth in Clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section
305 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in
part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global
Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names
of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a
nominee thereof;
(20) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in
Article Ten which applies to Securities of the series; and
(21) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as
permitted by Section 901(5)).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except
as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to
the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth,
or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer's Certificate referred to
above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
-23-
<PAGE> 32
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken
pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action
shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company
and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer's
Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior
Debt of the Company as provided in Article Twelve.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in fully
registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be
specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified
denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of
such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its
Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its President or one of
its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon. The signature
of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and
may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were
at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of
this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by
the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order
for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in
accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such
Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been
established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by
Sections 201 and 301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the
additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such
Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section
601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or
pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such
form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture;
-24-
<PAGE> 33
(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or
pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such
terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture; and
(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid
and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in
accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and
to general equity principles.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer's Certificate otherwise
required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel
otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the
authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered
at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security
of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or
be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such
Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered
hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall
deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section
309, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to
have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to
the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the
Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they
are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as
evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will
cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable
delay. After the preparation of definitive
-25-
<PAGE> 34
Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be
exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the
temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a
Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender
for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in
exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any
authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all
respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive
Securities of such series and tenor.
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the
registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is
hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities
and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a
series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that
series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more
new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like
tenor and aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged
for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of
like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to
be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so
surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange
is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer
or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.
-26-
<PAGE> 35
If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue,
register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that
series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at
the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of
redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103
and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to
register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in
whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed
in part.
The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only
to Global Securities:
(1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall
be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global
Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a
nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security
shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no
Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities
registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part
may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary
for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such
Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased
to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there
shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect
to such Global Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances,
if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been
specified for this purpose as contemplated by Section 301.
(3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global
Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all
Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion
thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such
Global Security shall direct.
(4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration
of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or
any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304,
306, 906 or 1107 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in
the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is
registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such
Global Security or a nominee thereof.
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal
amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i)
evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any
Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save
each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the
-27-
<PAGE> 36
absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been
acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen
Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal
amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has
become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion
may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company
may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other
expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in
lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the destroyed,
lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall
be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately
with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to
the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the
replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable,
and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall
be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.
Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is
not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein
called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder
on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and
such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series
(or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the
close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such
Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The
Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted
Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the
date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate
amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or
shall make arrangements
-28-
<PAGE> 37
satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the
proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for
the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in
this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record
Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not
more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the
proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the
Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall
promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the
name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the
proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record
Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series
in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to
such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such
Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so
mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose
names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor
Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special
Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following
Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent
with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such
Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by
such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of
the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment
shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Subject to the provisions of Section 1302, in the case of any Security
which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security the principal of (or
premium, if any, on)) which shall become due and payable, whether at a Stated
Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise,
prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such
Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date
notwithstanding such conversion and such interest (whether or not punctually
paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that
Security (or any one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close
of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided
in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is
converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion of
such Security shall not be payable.
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium
and (subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other
purposes
-29-
<PAGE> 38
whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company,
the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by
notice to the contrary.
SECTION 309. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, purchase,
registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund
payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be
delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may
at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in
any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person
for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously
authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all
Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No
Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities
cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this
Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as
directed by a Company Order.
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further
effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and
delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been
destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or
paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for
whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in
trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and
thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such
trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation; or
-30-
<PAGE> 39
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated
Maturity within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one
year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee
for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee
in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above,
has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee
as trust funds in trust for the purpose money in an amount
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on
such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation, for principal and any premium and
interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of
Securities which have become due and payable) or to the
Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other
sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of
the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall
have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of
this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last
paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust
and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium
and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
-31-
<PAGE> 40
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of
any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be occasioned by the provisions of
Article Twelve or be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of
law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order,
rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of
that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such
default for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium
on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when
and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or
warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere
in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been
included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of
Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or
breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the
Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and
stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(5) a default under the terms of any instrument evidencing or
securing any Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary having an
outstanding principal amount of $10 million individually or in the
aggregate which default results in the acceleration of the payment of
all or any portion of such Debt or constitutes the failure to pay all
or any portion of the principal amount of such Debt when due; or
(6) the rendering of a final judgment or judgments (not subject
to appeal) against the Company or any Subsidiary in an amount in excess
of $10 million which remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of
60 days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired;
(7) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of
(A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, any
Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that together would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or
proceeding
-32-
<PAGE> 41
under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging
the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries
that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or
insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect
of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries
that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under any
applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official
of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries
that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or of any
substantial part of its or their property, or ordering the winding up
or liquidation of its or their affairs, and the continuance of any such
decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed
and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(8) the commencement by the Company, any Significant Subsidiary
or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a
Significant Subsidiary of a voluntary case or proceeding under any
applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated
a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it or them to the entry of a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, any Significant
Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute
a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under
any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or
insolvency case or proceeding against it or them, or the filing by it
or them of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or
relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it
or them to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or
taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee,
trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, any
Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that together would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its
or their property, or the making by it or them of an assignment for the
benefit of creditors, or the admission by it or them in writing of its
or their inability to pay its or their debts generally as they become
due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company, any Significant
Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute
a Significant Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action; or
(9) any other Event of Default provided with respect to
Securities of that series.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(7) or 501(8)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or
the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the
Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original
Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such
Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable
immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given
by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified
amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default
specified in Section 501(7) or 501 (8) with
-33-
<PAGE> 42
respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the
principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of
that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the
principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof)
shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of
the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in
this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any
Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by
such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the
rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed
therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances
of the Trustee, its agents and counsel;
and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that
series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of
that series which have become due solely by such declaration of
acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any
Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default
continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
-34-
<PAGE> 43
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue
principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further
amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and
enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series
by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific
enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the
exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any
other obligor upon the Securities, or the property or creditors of the Company,
the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding
or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture
Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such
proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and
receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims
and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee,
liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the
Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such
payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for
the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its
agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder
any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting
the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee
to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided,
however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election
of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors'
or other similar committee.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities
may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of
the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto,
and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own
name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for the payment of the compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its
-35-
<PAGE> 44
agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities
in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any
premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation
thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if
fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 607; and
SECOND: Subject to Article Twelve, to the payment of the amounts
then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on
the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such
money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of
any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities
for principal and any premium and interest, respectively.
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to
institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this
Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other
remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the
Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of that series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request
to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of
Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such
proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference
-36-
<PAGE> 45
over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture,
except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of
all of such Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest and to Convert.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section
307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities
expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or offer by the
Company to purchase the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, on
the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable) and to convert such
Securities in accordance with the terms thereof, and to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment or right of conversion, and such rights shall
not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce
any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to
the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any
determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders
shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions
hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders
shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last
paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved
to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right
or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent
the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or
remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities
to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair
any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or
an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law
to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as
often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case
may be.
-37-
<PAGE> 46
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Securities of such series, provided that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law
or with this Indenture, and
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such
series and its consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any Security of such series (including any Security which
is required to have been purchased by the Company pursuant to an offer
to purchase by the Company made pursuant to the terms of this
Indenture), or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit
to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs
against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in
the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust
Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an
undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the
Company.
-38-
<PAGE> 47
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that
it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever
claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law
wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the
covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent
that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of
any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the
execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and
permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been
enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by
the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or
otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have
reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate
indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture
relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection
to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any
series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice
of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act;
provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified
in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to
Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For
the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or
after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with
respect to Securities of such series.
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or
-39-
<PAGE> 48
other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company
Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior
to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee
(unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the
absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer's Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice
of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness
or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters
as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such
further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the
books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or
attorney; and
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or
through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible
for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney
appointed with due care by it hereunder.
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the
Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of
the Company and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as
to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither
the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or
application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
-40-
<PAGE> 49
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to
Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights
it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent,
Security Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be
under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as
otherwise agreed with the Company.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for all
services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a
trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse
the Trustee upon its request for all expenses, disbursements and
advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any
provision of this Indenture (including the compensation and the
expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such
expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its gross
negligence or bad faith; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross
negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection
with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself
against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. When the Trustee
incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence of an Event
of Default specified in paragraph (7) or (8) of Section 501 of this
Indenture, such expenses and the compensation for such services are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Insolvency
or Liquidation Proceeding. For the purposes of this paragraph,
"Insolvency" or Liquidation Proceeding" means, with respect to any
Person, (a) an insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or similar case or
proceeding in connection therewith, relative to such Person or its
creditors, as such, or its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution
or other winding-up proceeding of such Person, whether voluntary or
involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or
(c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other
marshaling of assets and liabilities of such Person.
-41-
<PAGE> 50
SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent
permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to
Securities of more than one series.
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for
Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such, and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this
Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined
capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital
and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall
cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it
shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter
specified in this Article.
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 611.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of
one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall
not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such
notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect
to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities
of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after
written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been
a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
-42-
<PAGE> 51
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or
by any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of
its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take
charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the
purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all
Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting,
or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with
respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board
Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect
to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such
successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or
more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee
with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with
the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such
resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be
appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring
Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its
acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements
of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the
Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series
shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted
appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a
bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on
behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect
to the Securities of such series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment
of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all
Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106.
Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal
of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee,
-43-
<PAGE> 52
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request
of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon
payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such
successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and
shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property
and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1)
shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer
and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of
that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee
relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all
Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or
desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to
which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the
retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this
Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration
of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that
nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees
co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a
trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder
administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of
such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee
shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor
Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect
to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such
successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor
Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee
hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the
appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the
first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time
of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or
any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided such
-44-
<PAGE> 53
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor
by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same
effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company
or any other obligor upon the Securities, the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims
against the Company or any such other obligor.
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect
to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf
of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original
issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof
or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled
to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall
be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be
acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State
thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as
Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than
$50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State
authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined
capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to
be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such
Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
-45-
<PAGE> 54
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice
thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a
notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities
of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any
successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the
provisions of Section 607.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant
to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
--------------------------------,
As Trustee
By
---------------------------,
As Authenticating Agent
By
-----------------------------
Authorized Officer
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(1) semi-annually, not later than ____________ and __________ in
each year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require,
of the names
-46-
<PAGE> 55
and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of the
preceding ________ or _________, as the case may be, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing,
within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a
list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days
prior to the time such list is furnished;
excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its
capacity as Security Registrar.
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect
to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the
corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure
of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the
Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the
Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company
will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 704. Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and
transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such
summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at
the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any
such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the
-47-
<PAGE> 56
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed
with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with
the Commission.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not, in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions, consolidate with or merge into any other Person or permit any
other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company or, directly or
indirectly, transfer, convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets, unless:
(1) in a transaction in which the Company does not survive or in
which the Company transfers, conveys, sells, leases or otherwise
disposes of all or substantially all of its assets, the successor
entity (for purposes of this Article Eight, a "Successor Company")
shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized
and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America,
any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly
assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to
the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual
payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the
Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this
Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and
treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company
or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been
incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such
transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have
happened and be continuing;
(3) if, as a result of any such consolidation or merger or such
conveyance, transfer or lease, properties or assets of the Company
would become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or
other encumbrance which would not be permitted by this Indenture, the
Company or such successor Person, as the case may be, shall take such
steps as shall be necessary effectively to secure the Securities
equally and ratably with (or prior to) all indebtedness secured
thereby;
(4) any other conditions provided pursuant to Section 301 with
respect to the Securities of a series are satisfied; and
(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a
supplemental indenture is required in connection with such
transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and
that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such
transaction have been complied with.
-48-
<PAGE> 57
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into, any other Person or any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the
Company as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the Successor Company
shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such
successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except
in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all
obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a
Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter
into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the
Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company
and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the
Company herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are
to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating
that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the
benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein
conferred upon the Company; or
(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of
the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional
Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of
Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are
expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture
to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the
issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable
as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or
facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this
Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided
that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i)
apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of
such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such
provision nor
-49-
<PAGE> 58
(ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect
to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no
such Security Outstanding; or
(6) to secure the Securities; or
(7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as
permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or
(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one
or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this
Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the
administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee,
pursuant to the requirements of Section 611; or
(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action
pursuant to this Clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests
of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee
may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose
of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
instalment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any
premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of
the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other
Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or
change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which,
any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair
the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on
or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption,
on or after the Redemption Date or in the case of an offer to purchase
Securities which has been made pursuant to a covenant contained in
this Indenture, on or after the applicable purchase date), or modify
the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of
the Securities in a manner adverse to the Holders, or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
any such supplemental indenture, or
-50-
<PAGE> 59
the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance
with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults
hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or
(3) if applicable, make any change that adversely affects the
right to convert any Security to which the provisions of Article
Thirteen are applicable or, except as provided in this Indenture,
decrease the conversion rate or increase the conversion price of any
Security, or
(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
Section 1009, except to increase any such percentage or to provide
that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or
waived without the consent of the Holder of each Out standing Security
affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be
deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in
the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this
Section and Section 1009, or the deletion of this proviso, in
accordance with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8); or
(5) following the making of an offer to purchase Securities which
has been made pursuant to a covenant contained in this Indenture,
modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such offer to
purchase in a manner adverse to such Holder.
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such
covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under
this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it
shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby
of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to
receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon,
an Officer's Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of
such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The
Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental
indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article,
this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this
-51-
<PAGE> 60
Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or
thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the
execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall
if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as
to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall
so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the
opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared and executed by the Company and such new Securities may be
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding
Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any
premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the
terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of
Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented
or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture
may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at
any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency
or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the
Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands.
-52-
<PAGE> 61
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented
or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind
such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission
shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office
or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such
purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any
such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such
other office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with
respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that
series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so
becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise
disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its
action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any
series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or
any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying
Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by
the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the
Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities
other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in
which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions
of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the
continuance of any default by the Company or any other obligor upon the
Securities of that series in the making of any payment in respect of the
Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith
pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in
respect of the Securities of that series.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or
by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held
in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the
Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the
Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the
Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with
respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years
after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be
paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall
be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall there
after, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment
thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to
such trust money, and all liability of the Company as
-53-
<PAGE> 62
trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or
such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in
the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general
circulation in The City of New York, New York, notice that such money remains
unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less
than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such
money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.
(a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the
end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an
Officer's Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the
signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of
any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard
to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the
Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and
status thereof of which they may have knowledge.
(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and
in any event within five days after the Company becomes aware or should
reasonably become aware of the occurrence of an Event of Default or an event
which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of
Default, an Officer's Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of
Default or default, and the action which the Company proposes to take with
respect thereto.
SECTION 1005. Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the existence,
rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or
franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation
thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company
and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the
Holders.
SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of
its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in
good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from
discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such
discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the
-54-
<PAGE> 63
conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary and not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged,
before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or
upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2)
all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by
law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to
be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount,
applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings.
SECTION 1008. Maintenance of Insurance.
The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep at all
times all of their properties which are of an insurable nature insured against
loss or damage with insurers believed by the Company to be responsible to the
extent that property of similar character is usually so insured by corporations
similarly situated and owning like properties in accordance with good business
practice.
SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of
any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision
or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(20),
901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before the
time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders,
either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance
with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or
affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly
waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the
Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or
condition shall remain in full force and effect.
-55-
- -
<PAGE> 64
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated
Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in
accordance with this Article.
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be
evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated
by Section 301 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election
of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any
such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least
60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter
notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such
Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be
redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In
the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any
restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or
elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an
Officer's Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed
(unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be
redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the
particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of
such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee
shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for
redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series,
provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security
shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the
minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the
Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless
such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to
be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and
specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the
preceding sentence.
If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part
before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the
Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed
(so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption.
-56-
<PAGE> 65
Securities which have been converted during a selection of Securities to be
redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such
selection.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the
Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities
selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to
be redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with
respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such
Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such
redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the
Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than
the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise
requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the
portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be
redeemed.
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in
the Security Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
(2) the Redemption Price,
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series
consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the
identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such
Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be
redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any
series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the
principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become
due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if
applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after
said date,
(5) if applicable, the conversion price, and that the date on
which the right to convert the principal of the Securities or the
portions thereof to be redeemed will terminate will be the Redemption
Date and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered
for conversion,
-57-
<PAGE> 66
(6) the place or places where each such Security is to be
surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, and
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the
case.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of
the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption
Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities
which are to be redeemed on that date, other than any Securities called for
redemption on that date which have been converted prior to the date of such
deposit.
If any Security or portion thereof called for redemption is converted,
any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated
and held in trust for the redemption of such Security or portion thereof shall
(subject to any right of the Holder of such Security or any Predecessor
Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 307)
be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company,
shall be discharged from such trust.
SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so
to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security
shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued
interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301, instalments of interest whose Stated
Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders
of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such
at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms
and the provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until
paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in
the Security.
-58-
<PAGE> 67
SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered
at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so
requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder
thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such
Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same
series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such
Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the
unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article.
Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series
in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing
such series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, the provisions of this
Article shall be applicable to each series of Securities.
SECTION 1202. Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by his
acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in
the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article (subject to the provisions of
Article Four and Article Fourteen), the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on each and all of the Securities of such series
are hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company.
No provisions of this Article Twelve shall prevent the occurrence of any
Event of Default.
SECTION 1203. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.
In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or
any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or
proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its
creditors, as such, or to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or
other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether
or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the
benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the
Company, then and in any such event specified in (a), (b) or (c) above (each
such event, if any, herein sometimes referred to as a "Proceeding") the holders
of Senior Debt of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full of
all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Debt of the
Company, or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash
equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the
-59-
<PAGE> 68
holders of Senior Debt of the Company, before the Holders of the Securities are
entitled to receive any payment or distribution of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities (including any payment or distribution
which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Debt
of the Company subordinated to the payment of the Securities, such payment or
distribution being hereinafter referred to as a "Junior Subordinated Payment"),
on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities
or on account of any purchase or other acquisition of Securities by the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company (all such payments, distributions, purchases
and acquisitions, other than the payment or distribution of stock or securities
of the Company referred to in the second succeeding paragraph, herein referred
to, individually and collectively, as a "Securities Payment"), and to that end
the holders of Senior Debt of the Company shall be entitled to receive, for
application to the payment thereof, any Securities Payment which may be payable
or deliverable in respect of the Securities in any such Proceeding.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section, the Trustee or the Holder of any Security shall have received any
Securities Payment before all Senior Debt of the Company is paid in full or
payment thereof provided for in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a
manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt of the Company, and if such
fact shall, at or prior to the time of such Securities Payment, have been made
known to the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such
event such Securities Payment shall be paid over or delivered forthwith to the
trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee,
agent or other Person making payment or distribution of assets of the Company
for application to the payment of all Senior Debt of the Company remaining
unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt of the Company in full,
after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the
holders of Senior Debt of the Company.
For purposes of this Article only, the words "any payment or
distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities"
shall not be deemed to include a payment or distribution of stock or securities
of the Company provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment
authorized by an order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in a
reorganization proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy law or of any other
corporation provided for by such plan of reorganization or readjustment which
stock or securities are subordinated in right of payment to all then
outstanding Senior Debt of the Company to substantially the same extent as the
Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article. The consolidation
of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer
of all or substantially all of its properties and assets as an entirety to
another Person upon the terms and conditions set forth in Article Eight shall
not be deemed a Proceeding for the purposes of this Section if the Person
formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person
which acquires by conveyance or transfer such properties and assets as an
entirety, as the case may be, shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions set forth in Article Eight.
-60-
<PAGE> 69
SECTION 1204. No Payment When Senior Debt of the Company in Default.
In the event that any Senior Payment Default (as defined below) shall
have occurred and be continuing, then no Securities Payment shall be made
unless and until such Senior Payment Default shall have been cured or waived or
shall have ceased to exist or all amounts then due and payable in respect of
Senior Debt of the Company shall have been paid in full, or provision shall
have been made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a
manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt of the Company; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the satisfaction of any
sinking fund payment in accordance with Article Fifteen by delivering and
crediting pursuant to Section 1502 Securities which have been acquired (upon
redemption or otherwise) prior to such Senior Payment Default.
"Senior Payment Default" means any default in the payment of principal
of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Debt of the Company when due,
whether at the Stated Maturity of any such payment or by declaration of
acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
In the event that any Senior Nonmonetary Default (as defined below)
shall have occurred and be continuing, then, upon the receipt by the Company
and the Trustee of written notice of such Senior Nonmonetary Default from any
holder, or agent for the holders, of the Designated Senior Debt which is the
subject of such Senior Nonmonetary Default, no Securities Payment shall be made
during the period (the "Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date of
such receipt of such written notice and ending on the earlier of (i) the date
on which such Senior Nonmonetary Default shall have been cured or waived or
shall have ceased to exist or all Designated Senior Debt the subject of such
Senior Nonmonetary Default shall have been discharged; (ii) the 179th day after
the date of such receipt of such written notice; and (iii) the date on which
the Payment Blockage Period shall have been terminated by written notice to the
Company or the Trustee from the agent for the Designated Senior Debt initiating
the Payment Blockage Period; provided, however, that nothing in this Section
shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in accordance with
Article Fifteen by delivering and crediting pursuant to Section 1502 Securities
which have been acquired (upon redemption or otherwise) prior to the date of
such receipt of such written notice. No more than one Payment Blockage Period
may be commenced with respect to the Securities during any 360-day period and
there shall be a period of at least 181 consecutive days in each 360-day period
when no Payment Blockage Period is in effect. For all purposes of this
paragraph, no Senior Payment Default or Senior Nonmonetary Default that existed
or was continuing on the date of commencement of any Payment Blockage Period
shall be, or be made, the basis for the commencement of a subsequent Payment
Blockage Period, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless
such Senior Payment Default or Senior Nonmonetary Default shall have been cured
for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
"Senior Nonmonetary Default" means the occurrence or existence and
continuance of any event of default with respect to any Designated Senior Debt,
other than a Senior Payment Default, permitting the holders of such Designated
Senior Debt (or a trustee or agent on behalf of the holders thereof) to declare
such Designated Senior Debt due and payable prior to the date on which it would
otherwise become due and payable.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall
make any Securities Payment to the Trustee or any Holder prohibited by the
foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to
the time of such Securities Payment, have been made known to the
-61-
<PAGE> 70
Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such
Securities Payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any Securities
Payment with respect to which Section 1203 would be applicable.
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default.
Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in
any of the Securities shall prevent (a) the Company, at any time except during
the pendency of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1203 or under the
conditions described in Section 1204, from making Securities Payments, or (b)
the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it hereunder to
Securities Payments or the retention of such Securities Payment by the Holders,
if, at the time of such application by the Trustee, it did not have knowledge
that such Securities Payment would have been prohibited by the provisions of
this Article.
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt of the Company.
Subject to the payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on
or in respect of Senior Debt of the Company, or the provision for such payment
in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the
holders of Senior Debt of the Company, the Holders of the Securities shall be
subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Debt of the Company to
receive payments and distributions of cash, property and securities applicable
to the Senior Debt of the Company until the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full. For purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt of
the Company of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the
Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this
Article, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions of this Article to the
holders of Senior Debt of the Company by Holders of the Securities or the
Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of
Senior Debt of the Company and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a
payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Debt of
the Company.
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.
The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the
purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders on the one hand and the
holders of Senior Debt of the Company on the other hand. Nothing contained in
this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to
or shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of
Senior Debt of the Company and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of
the Company, which is absolute and unconditional (and which, subject to the
rights under this Article of the holders of Senior Debt of the Company, is
intended to rank equally with all other general obligations of the Company), to
pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with their terms; or (b) affect the relative rights against the
Company of the Holders of the Securities
-62-
<PAGE> 71
and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Debt of the
Company; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from
exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default
under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the
holders of Senior Debt of the Company to receive cash, property and securities
otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes and
directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and
appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt of the
Company to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any
way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the
Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or
by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of
this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or
be otherwise charged with.
Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Debt of the Company may, at any time and from time to
time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the
Securities, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities
and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article
or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of
Senior Debt of the Company, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the
manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or
alter, Senior Debt of the Company, or otherwise amend or supplement in any
manner Senior Debt of the Company or any instrument evidencing the same or any
agreement under which Senior Debt of the Company is outstanding; (ii) sell,
exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or
otherwise securing Senior Debt of the Company; (iii) release any Person liable
in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt of the Company; and (iv)
exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any
other Person.
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any
fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or
by the Trustee in respect of the Securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be
charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the
making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless
and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the
Company or a holder of Senior Debt of the Company or from any trustee therefor;
and, prior to the receipt of any such written
-63-
<PAGE> 72
notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 601, shall be
entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however,
that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this
Section at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms
hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without
limitation, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest
on any Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive
such money and to apply the same to the purpose for which such money was
received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be
received by it within three Business Days prior to such date.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall be
entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person
representing himself to be a holder of Senior Debt of the Company (or a trustee
therefor) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior
Debt of the Company (or a trustee therefor). In the event that the Trustee
determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the
right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt of the Company to participate in
any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may request
such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee
as to the amount of Senior Debt of the Company held by such Person, the extent
to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution
and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article,
and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to
such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to
receive such payment.
SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 601, and the
Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such Proceeding is
pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating
trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other
Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the
Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt of
the Company and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all
other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt of the Company.
The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Debt of the Company and shall not be liable to any such
holders if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders
of Securities or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or
securities to which any holders of Senior Debt of the Company shall be entitled
by virtue of this Article or otherwise.
-64-
<PAGE> 73
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt of the Company;
Preservation of Trustee's Rights.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Debt of the Company
which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of
Senior Debt of the Company, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the
Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have
been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee"
as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context otherwise
requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within
its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were
named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided,
however, that Section 1213 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company if it or Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.
SECTION 1215. Defeasance of this Article Twelve.
The subordination of the Securities of a series provided by this
Article Twelve is expressly made subject to the provisions for defeasance or
covenant defeasance in Article Fourteen hereof and, anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, upon the effectiveness of any such defeasance or
covenant defeasance, the Securities of such series then outstanding shall
thereupon cease to be subordinated pursuant to this Article Twelve.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities
of any series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company,
and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such
Securities, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
the Securities of such series.
SECTION 1302. Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security
of a series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company
at the office or agency maintained for that
-65-
<PAGE> 74
purpose pursuant to Section 1002, accompanied by written notice to the Company
that the Holder elects to convert such Security or a specified portion thereof.
Such notice shall also state, if different from the name and address of such
Holder, the name or names (with address) in which the certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable on such
conversion shall be issued. Securities surrendered for conversion shall (if so
required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by or accompanied by
instruments of transfer in forms satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee
duly executed by the registered Holder or its attorney duly authorized in
writing; and Securities so surrendered for conversion during the period from
the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on
the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (excluding Securities or portions
thereof called for redemption during such period) shall also be accompanied by
payment of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment
Date on the principal amount of such Security then being converted, and such
interest shall be payable to such registered Holder notwithstanding the
conversion of such Security, subject to the provisions of Section 307 relating
to the payment of Defaulted Interest by the Company. As promptly as practicable
after the receipt of such notice and of any payment required pursuant to a
Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the
manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more
indentures supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of such series of
Security, and the surrender of such Security in accordance with such reasonable
procedures as the Company may prescribe, the Company shall issue and shall
deliver, at the office or agency at which such Security is surrendered, to such
Holder or on its written order, a certificate or certificates for the number of
full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such Security (or
specified portion thereof), in accordance with the provisions of such Board
Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture, and cash as
provided therein in respect of any fractional share of such Common Stock
otherwise issuable upon such conversion. Such conversion shall be deemed to
have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the date on
which such notice and such payment, if required, shall have been received in
proper order for conversion by the Company and such Security shall have been
surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered such
Security and shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion on a
particular date following such surrender and such Holder shall be entitled to
convert such Security on such date, in which case such conversion shall be
deemed to be effected immediately prior to the close of business on such date)
and at such time the rights of the Holder of such Security as such Security
Holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names any
certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be
issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the Holder or
Holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set forth above
and subject to the final paragraph of Section 307, no payment or adjustment
shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the
Securities surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on the
Common Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion.
In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such
conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the
Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized
denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion
of such Security.
-66-
<PAGE> 75
SECTION 1303. No Fractional Shares.
No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued
upon conversions of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall
be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of
full shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the
basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified
portions thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for
the provisions of this Section 1303, any Holder of a Security or Securities
would be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the
conversion of such Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the
Company shall pay to such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current market
value of such fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is listed or
admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange, on
the basis of the last reported sale price regular way on such exchange on the
last trading day prior to the date of conversion upon which such a sale shall
have been effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at the time so listed
or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange,
on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of such Common Stock in
the over-the-counter market, on the last trading day prior to the date of
conversion, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or
similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated is no
longer reporting such information, or if not so available, the fair market
price as determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section,
"trading day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
other than any day an which the Common Stock is not traded on the New York
Stock Exchange, or if the Common Stock is not traded on the New York Stock
Exchange, on the principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is
traded or quoted.
SECTION 1304. Adjustment of Conversion Price.
The conversion price of Securities of any series that is convertible
into Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends,
stock splits, reclassification, combinations or similar transactions in
accordance with the term of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions
setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.
Whenever the conversion price is adjusted, the Company shall compute
the adjusted conversion price in accordance with terms of the applicable Board
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' Certificate
setting forth the adjusted conversion price and showing in reasonable detail
the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall
forthwith be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of
conversion of Securities pursuant to Section 1002 and, if different, with the
Trustee. The Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted
conversion price to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of
Securities of such series at its address appearing on the Security Register and
to any conversion agent other than the Trustee.
SECTION 1305. Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.
In case:
(a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other
distribution) on its Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its
retained earnings (other than a dividend for which approval of any stockholders
of the Company is required); or
-67-
<PAGE> 76
(b) the Company shall authorize the granting to the holders of
its Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase
any shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights (other than any
such grant for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is required);
or
(c) of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company
(other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common
Stock, or of any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company
is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company is
required), or of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company; or
(d) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Company;
then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee, and shall cause to
be mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the
Securities Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in
clause (a) or (b) above) prior to the applicable record date hereinafter
specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for
the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants, or, if
a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock
of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or
warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date on which such reclassification,
consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or
winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is
expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange
their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable
upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up. If at any time the Trustee shall not be
the conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also forthwith be filed by
the Company with the Trustee.
SECTION 1306. Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.
The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, the full number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon the conversion of all
outstanding Securities of any series that has conversion rights.
SECTION 1307. Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion.
The Company will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect
of the issue or delivery of shares of its Common Stock on conversion of
Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay
any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue
and delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a name other than that of the
Holder of the Security or Securities to be converted, and no such issue or
delivery shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issue has
paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to the
satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.
-68-
<PAGE> 77
SECTION 1308. Nonassessability.
The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the
terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
SECTION 1309. Effect of Consolidation or Merger on Conversion Privilege.
In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the
Company into or with any other Person, or in case of any sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Company or the Person
formed by such consolidation or the Person into which the Company shall have
been merged or the Person which shall have acquired such assets, as the case
may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in
accordance with Section 801 providing that the Holder of each Security then
outstanding of any series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company
shall have the right, which right shall be the exclusive conversion right
thereafter available to said Holder (until the expiration of the conversion
right of such Security), to convert such Security into the kind and amount of
shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable
upon such consolidation, merger or sale by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might have been converted
immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or sale, subject to compliance
with the other provisions of this Indenture, such Security and such
supplemental indenture. Such supplemental indenture shall provide for
adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the
adjustments provided for in such Security. The above provisions of this Section
shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers or sales. It is
expressly agreed and understood that anything in this Indenture to the contrary
notwithstanding, if, pursuant to such merger, consolidation or sale, holders of
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company do not receive shares of
common stock of the surviving corporation but receive other securities, cash or
other property or any combination thereof, Holders of Securities shall not have
the right to thereafter convert their Securities into common stock of the
surviving corporation or the corporation which shall have acquired such assets,
but rather, shall have the right upon such conversion to receive the other
securities, cash or other property receivable by a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company into which the Securities held by such
holder might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation,
merger or sale, all as more fully provided in the first sentence of this
Section 1309. Anything in this Section 1309 to the contrary notwithstanding,
the provisions of this Section 1309 shall not apply to a merger or
consolidation of another corporation with or into the Company pursuant to which
both of the following conditions are applicable: (i) the Company is the
surviving corporation and (ii) the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company are not changed or converted into any other securities or property
(including cash) or changed in number or character or reclassified pursuant to
the terms of such merger or consolidation.
As evidence of the kind and amount of shares of stock or other
securities or property (including cash) into which Securities may properly be
convertible after any such consolidation, merger or sale, or as to the
appropriate adjustments of the conversion prices applicable with respect
thereto, the Trustee shall be furnished with and may accept the certificate or
opinion of an independent certified public accountant with respect thereto;
and, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may
conclusively rely thereon, and shall not be responsible or accountable to any
Holder of Securities for any provision in conformity therewith or approved by
such independent certified accountant which may be contained in said
supplemental indenture.
-69-
<PAGE> 78
SECTION 1310. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.
Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be
under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that
is convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts
exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion price, or with respect
to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to
the method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental indenture, any
resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or
more officers of the Company provided to be employed in making the same.
Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect
to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock
of the Company, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be
issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Securities and neither the
Trustee nor any conversion agent makes any representation with respect thereto.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601, neither the Trustee nor any
conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue,
transfer or deliver any shares of its Common Stock or stock certificates or
other securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose
of conversion or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained
in this Article Thirteen or in the applicable supplemental indenture,
resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or
more duly authorized officers of the Company.
SECTION 1311. Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion.
Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company
or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of
paying the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of
the Securities (including funds deposited for the sinking fund referred to in
Article Three hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because
of the conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article Thirteen shall
after such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the
Company's written request by Company Request.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1401. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1402
or Section 1403 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the
case may be, designated pursuant to Section 301 as being defeasible pursuant to
such Section 1402 or 1403, in accordance with any applicable requirements
provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set
forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced in or
pursuant to a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated
by Section 301 for such Securities.
-70-
<PAGE> 79
SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this
Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may
be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations,
and the provisions of Article Twelve shall cease to be effective, with respect
to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the
conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter called
"Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall
be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by
such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such
Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the
Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until
otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such
Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and
as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal
of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2)
the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304,
305, 306, 1002 and 1003, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities
of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this
Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if
any) to have Section 1403 applied to such Securities.
SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this
Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may
be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section
801(4), Sections 1006 through 1008, inclusive, and any covenants provided
pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of
such Securities, and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections
501(4) (with respect to any of Section 801(4), Sections 1006 through 1008,
inclusive, and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2)
or 901(7)), 501(5), 501(6), and 501(9) shall be deemed not to be or result in
an Event of Default and (3) the provisions of Article Twelve shall cease to be
effective, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this
Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are
satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such
Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company
may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term,
condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent
so specified in the case of Section 501(4)) or Article Twelve, whether directly
or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section
or Article or by reason of any reference in any such Section or Article to any
other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this
Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section
1402 or Section 1403 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case
may be:
-71-
<PAGE> 80
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the
requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the
provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust
for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged
as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders
of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government
Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment,
money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which
shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee)
to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on
such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance
with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein,
"U.S. Government Obligation" means (x) any security which is (i) a
direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of
which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is
pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full
faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in
either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option
of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank
(as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian
with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in
Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder
of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of
principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so
specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount
received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation
or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such
depositary receipt.
(2) In the event of an election to have Section 1402 apply to any
Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the
date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable
Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that,
and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such
Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be
effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to
Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the
same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and
discharge were not to occur.
(3) In the event of an election to have Section 1403 apply to any
Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to
the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain
or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and
Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and
will be subject to
-72-
<PAGE> 81
Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the
same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant
Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other
Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities
exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both
would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or
any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time
of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in
Sections 501(7) and (8), at any time on or prior to the 121st day
after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this
condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 121st day).
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the
Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust
Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the
meaning of such Act).
(7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it
is bound.
(8) At the time of such deposit, (A) no default in the payment of
any principal of or premium or interest on any Senior Debt of the
Company shall have occurred and be continuing, (B) no event of default
with respect to any Senior Debt of the Company shall have resulted in
such Senior Debt becoming, and continuing to be, due and payable prior
to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable
(unless payment of such Senior Debt has been made or duly provided
for), and (C) no other event of default with respect to any Senior
Debt of the Company shall have occurred and be continuing permitting
(after notice or lapse of time or both) the holders of such Senior
Debt (or a trustee on behalf of such holders) to declare such Senior
Debt due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise
have become due and payable.
(9) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not cause either the
Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
(10) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance have been complied with.
SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be
Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof)
deposited with the Trustee or other
-73-
<PAGE> 82
qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1406, the
Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the
"Trustee") pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Securities shall be held
in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such
Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any
such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the
Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and
to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but
money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law. Money and U.S. Government Obligations so held in trust
shall not be subject to the provisions of Article Twelve.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee
or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 1504 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is
for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee
shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any
money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1404
with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which
would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
SECTION 1406. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any
order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining
or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this
Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or
released pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403 shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such
Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to
apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1405 with respect to such
Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the
Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any
such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company
shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to
receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
-74-
<PAGE> 83
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1501. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund
for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the
terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund
payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the
terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund
payment". If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of
any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section
1502. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of
Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
SECTION 1502. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other
than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit
Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the
Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of
permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such
Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund
payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made
pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by
the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited
have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be
received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price,
as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through
operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall
be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 1503. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 35 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any
Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate
specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such
Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant
to Section 1502 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so
delivered. Not less than 32 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date,
the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund
payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the
redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company
in the manner
-75-
<PAGE> 84
provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of
such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in
Sections 1106 and 1107.
---------------------------
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
-76-
<PAGE> 85
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to
be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Stone Energy Corporation
By
--------------------------------------
---------------------------, as Trustee
By
--------------------------------------
-77-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
[VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. LETTERHEAD]
June 1, 1999
Stone Energy Corporation
P. O. Box 52807
Lafayette, Louisiana 70505
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Stone Energy Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), with respect to certain legal matters in connection
with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), of the offer and sale by the Company from time
to time, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, of (i) unsecured debt
securities, in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other
evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities"), (ii) shares of preferred
stock, $.01 par value, of the Company, in one or more series (the "Preferred
Stock"), and (iii) shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock"). The aggregate initial offering prices of the Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock and Common Stock offered by the Company thereby (the
"Securities") will not exceed $200,000,000 or, if applicable, the equivalent
thereof in any other currency or currency unit. The Securities will be offered
in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market
conditions at the time of sale and to be set forth in supplements to the
Prospectus contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 to
which this opinion is an exhibit.
Before rendering our opinions hereinafter set forth, we examined such
certificates, instruments and documents, including forms of the Indentures filed
as exhibits to the Registration Statement, and we reviewed such questions of
law, as we considered appropriate.
Based upon the foregoing examination and review, we are of the opinion
that:
(i) When (a) the Registration Statement has become effective under
the Securities Act, (b) the terms of any Debt Securities and of
their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity
with the applicable Indenture so as not to violate any applicable
law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or
instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any
requirements or restriction imposed by any court or governmental
body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (c) the Debt
Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in
accordance
<PAGE> 2
with the applicable Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated
in the Registration Statement, the Debt Securities will
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation,
all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally and to general equitable principles, and any
shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of any such Debt
Securities will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
(ii) When (a) the Registration Statement has become effective under
the Securities Act, (b) the terms of the issuance of any shares
of Common Stock or any series of Preferred Stock to be issued and
sold by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement have
been established by the Board of Directors of the Company (or a
committee thereof), and (c) such shares have been issued and sold
as contemplated in the Registration Statement, all such shares
will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the United States of
America and to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Prospectus forming a
part of the Registration Statement under the caption "Validity of Securities."
In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder.
/s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 15.1
May 28, 1999
Stone Energy Corporation
post Office Box 52807
Lafayette, LA 70505
Gentlemen:
We are aware that Stone Energy Corporation has incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and in its registration statements (File Nos. 33-62362,
33-72236, 33-67332, 33-93486, 333-38425) its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1999, which includes our report dated May 3, 1999, covering the
unaudited interim financial information contained therein. Pursuant to
Regulation C of the Securities Act of 1993 (the Act), this report is not
considered a "part" of the registration statements prepared or certified by our
firm or a "report" prepared or certified by our firm within the meaning of
Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Arthur Andersen L.L.P.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of our report, dated March 2, 1999,
included in Stone Energy Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998 and to all references to our Firm included or incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement on Form S-3.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
New Orleans, Louisiana
May 28, 1999
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS
We hereby consent to the use of our name in the "Experts" section of
this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") of Stone
Energy Corporation (the "Company"). We hereby further consent to the
incorporation by reference of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1998 ("Form 10-K") into this Registration Statement,
which Form 10-K makes reference to us in "Item 2. Properties."
CAWLEY, GILLESPIE & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By: /s/ Aaron Cawley
---------------------------------
Aaron Cawley
New Orleans, Louisiana
May 26, 1999
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS
We hereby consent to the use of our name in the "Experts" section of
this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") of Stone
Energy Corporation (the "Company"). We hereby further consent to the
incorporation by reference of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1998 ("Form 10-K") into this Registration Statement,
which Form 10-K makes reference to us in "Item 2. Properties."
ATWATER CONSULTANTS, LTD.
By: /s/ O. R. Carter
------------------------------
O. R. Carter
New Orleans, Louisiana
May 26, 1999
