RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
THIS RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER, SOLICITATION, OR ACCEPTANCE WITH RESPECT TO ANY SECURITIES OR A SOLICITATION OF ACCEPTANCES OF A CHAPTER 11 PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 1125 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE. ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WILL COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND/OR PROVISIONS OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE. Nothing contained in thIS RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT shall be an admission of fact or liability OR, UNTIL THE OCCURRENCE OF THE AGREEMENT EFFECTIVE DATE ON THE TERMS DESCRIBED HEREIN, DEEMED BINDING ON ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO.
RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT
This RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT (including all exhibits, annexes, and schedules hereto in accordance with Section 15.02 and as may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 13, this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of November 13, 2020 (the “Execution Date”), by and among the following parties (each of the following described in sub-clauses (i) through (iii) of this preamble, collectively, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”):1
i. | Gulfport Energy Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the Laws of Delaware (the “Company”), and each of its Affiliates listed on Exhibit A (the Entities in this clause (i), collectively, the “Company Parties”); |
ii. | the undersigned beneficial holders of, or investment advisors, sub-advisors, or managers of discretionary accounts that beneficially hold, Notes Claims that have executed and delivered counterpart signature pages to this Agreement, a Joinder, or a Transfer Agreement to counsel to the Company Parties (the Entities in this clause (ii), collectively, the “Consenting Noteholders”); and |
iii. | the undersigned holders of RBL Claims that have executed and delivered counterpart signature pages to this Agreement, a Joinder, or a Transfer Agreement to counsel to the Company Parties (the Entities in this clause (iii), collectively, the “Consenting RBL Lenders” and, together with the Consenting Noteholders, the “Consenting Stakeholders”). |
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company Parties and the Consenting Stakeholders have in good faith and at arm’s length negotiated or been apprised of certain restructuring and recapitalization transactions with respect to the Company Parties’ capital structure on the terms (a) set forth in this Agreement and (b) as specified in the plan of reorganization attached as Exhibit B hereto (the “Plan” and, such transactions as described and implemented in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the “Restructuring Transactions”);
1 | Capitalized terms used but not defined in the preamble and recitals to this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 1. |
WHEREAS, the Company Parties will implement the Restructuring Transactions, including through the commencement by the Debtors of voluntary cases under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court (the cases commenced, the “Chapter 11 Cases”); and
WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to take certain actions in support of the Restructuring Transactions on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Party, intending to be legally bound hereby, agrees as follows:
AGREEMENT
Section 1. Definitions and Interpretation.
1.01 Definitions. The following terms shall have the following definitions:
“2023 Notes” means the 6.625% senior notes, due 2023, issued by the Company pursuant to the 2023 Notes Indenture.
“2023 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of April 21, 2015, by and among the Company, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
“2024 Notes” means the 6.000% senior notes, due 2024, issued by the Company pursuant to the 2024 Notes Indenture.
“2024 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of October 14, 2016, by and among the Company, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
“2025 Notes” means the 6.375% senior notes, due 2025, issued by the Company pursuant to the 2025 Notes Indenture.
“2025 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of December 21, 2016, by and among the Company, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
“2026 Notes” means the 6.375% senior notes, due 2026, issued by the Company pursuant to the 2026 Notes Indenture.
“2026 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of October 11, 2017, by and among the Company, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such Person. As used in this definition, controlled by and under common control means either (x) the possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership, limited liability company or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of such Person or (y) solely with respect to Affiliates of Consenting Stakeholders, the investment or voting discretion or control with respect to discretionary accounts of such Person.
2
“Agents” means the RBL Agent, the DIP Agent, and the Trustee.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, includes all the exhibits, annexes, and schedules hereto in accordance with Section 15.02 (including the Plan).
“Agreement Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 2 have been satisfied or waived by the appropriate Party or Parties in accordance with this Agreement.
“Agreement Effective Period” means, with respect to a Party, the period from the Agreement Effective Date to the Termination Date applicable to that Party.
“Alternative Restructuring Proposal” means any plan, inquiry, proposal, offer, bid, term sheet, discussion, or agreement with respect to a sale, disposition, new-money investment, restructuring, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, acquisition, consolidation, dissolution, debt investment, equity investment, liquidation, asset sale, share issuance, tender offer, exchange offer, rights offering, consent solicitation, recapitalization, plan of reorganization, share exchange, business combination, joint venture, or similar transaction involving any one or more Company Parties or the debt, equity, or other interests in any one or more Company Parties that is an alternative to, in whole or in part, or is inconsistent with the terms of, one or more of the Restructuring Transactions.
“Amended ISDA” means the amended and restated Schedule to an existing ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, substantively in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
“Backstop Approval Motion” means the motion filed by the Debtors seeking entry of the Backstop Approval Order.
“Backstop Approval Order” means the order of the Bankruptcy Court setting forth the terms of the commitment to backstop the Rights Offering, which shall be consistent with the Backstop Commitment Documents.
“Backstop Commitment Agreement” means that certain backstop commitment agreement, entered into and dated as of November 13, 2020 (as may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time), pursuant to which the Backstop Commitment Parties will agree to backstop the Rights Offering, attached as Exhibit D hereto.
“Backstop Commitment Documents” means the Backstop Commitment Agreement and any other related documents or agreements, which documents shall be consistent in all material respects with this Agreement and the Backstop Approval Order and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Consenting Stakeholders and the Backstop Commitment Parties.
3
“Backstop Commitment Parties” means at any time and from time to time, the parties that have committed to backstop the Rights Offering.
“Bankruptcy Code” means title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532, as amended.
“Bankruptcy Court” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, presiding over the Chapter 11 Cases.
“Bankruptcy Rules” means the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure as promulgated by the United States Supreme Court under section 2075 of title 28 of the United States Code, 28 U.S.C. § 2075, as applicable to the Chapter 11 Cases, and the general, local, and xxxxxxxx rules of the Bankruptcy Court.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, “legal holiday” (as defined in Bankruptcy Rule 9006(a)), or other day on which commercial banks in the State of New York are closed for business as a result of federal, state, or local holiday. When a period of days under this Agreement ends on a day that is not a Business Day, then such period shall be extended to the specified hour of the next Business Day.
“Chapter 11 Cases” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Claim” has the meaning ascribed to it in section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Company Claims” means any Claim against a Company Party, including the RBL Claims, the DIP Claims, and the Notes Claims. Company Claims shall expressly exclude any Interest in a Company Party.
“Company Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Confidentiality Agreement” means an executed confidentiality agreement or nondisclosure agreement.
“Confirmation Order” means the order confirming the Plan.
“Consent” means any consent, novation, approval, authorization, qualification, waiver, registration or notification to be obtained from, filed with or delivered to a Governmental Entity or any other Person.
“Consenting Noteholder Professionals” means (a) Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, (b) Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Inc., (c) one local counsel, and (d) any other advisor, consultant, or professional retained by the Consenting Noteholders in connection with the Restructuring Transactions.
4
“Consenting Noteholders” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Consenting RBL Lender Professionals” means (a) Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP; (b) Opportune LLC; (c) Hunton Xxxxxxx Xxxxx LLP; (d) one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction; and (e) any other advisor, consultant, or professional retained by the DIP Agent and/or RBL Agent in connection with the Restructuring Transactions.
“Consenting RBL Lenders” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Consenting Stakeholder Professionals” means the Consenting Noteholder Professionals and the Consenting RBL Lender Professionals.
“Consenting Stakeholders” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“De Minimis Asset Sale Order” means the order of the Bankruptcy Court authorizing the Debtors to sell certain de minimis assets pursuant to the procedures set forth in such order and subject to an aggregate gross proceeds cap not to exceed $10 million.
“Debtors” means the Company Parties that commence Chapter 11 Cases.
“Definitive Documents” means the documents set forth in Section 3.01.
“DIP Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the DIP Credit Agreement, its successors, assigns, or any replacement agent appointed pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement.
“DIP Commitment Party” means the parties that commit severally, and not jointly, to fund the DIP Facility.
“DIP Credit Agreement” means the certain senior secured superpriority debtor-in-possession credit agreement that governs the DIP Facility (as may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time) among, the Company, as borrower, the Debtor guarantors that are party thereto, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto, attached as Exhibit E hereto.
“DIP Credit Agreement Documents” means the DIP Credit Agreement and any related documents or agreements governing the DIP Facility (including the DIP Orders), which documents shall be consistent in all material respects with this Agreement and the DIP Orders and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Consenting Stakeholders.
“DIP Facility” means the $262.5 million debtor-in-possession credit facility to be provided to the Company on the terms and conditions of the DIP Credit Agreement and the DIP Order and consistent in all material respects with this Agreement and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Consenting Stakeholders.
“DIP Lenders” means the lenders party to the DIP Credit Agreement.
5
“DIP Order” means the interim or final, as applicable, order of the Bankruptcy Court setting forth the terms of debtor-in-possession financing and use of cash collateral, which shall be consistent with the DIP Credit Agreement.
“Disclosure Statement” means the related disclosure statement with respect to the Plan.
“Disclosure Statement Order” means the order approving the Disclosure Statement.
“Entity” has the meaning set forth in section 101(15) of the Bankruptcy Code.
“Equity Interests” means, collectively, the shares (or any class thereof), common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests, and any other equity, ownership, or profits interests of any Company Party, and options, warrants, rights, or other securities or agreements to acquire or subscribe for, or which are convertible into the shares (or any class thereof) of, common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests, or other equity, ownership, or profits interests of any Company Party (in each case whether or not arising under or in connection with any employment agreement).
“Execution Date” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Exit Facility” means the post-petition financing facility to be entered into on the Plan Effective Date on the terms and conditions set forth in the Exit Facility Term Sheet.
“Exit Facility Documents” means the agreements and related documents governing the Exit Facility, which shall be on the terms set forth in the Exit Facility Term Sheet.
“Exit Facility Term Sheet” means the term sheet setting forth the terms and conditions of the Exit Facility, attached to this Agreement as Exhibit F.
“First Day Orders” means the orders of the Bankruptcy Court granting the First Day Pleadings.
“First Day Pleadings” means the first-day pleadings that the Company Parties file with the Bankruptcy Court upon the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases.
“Governmental Entity” means any U.S. or non-U.S. international, regional, federal, state, municipal or local governmental, judicial, administrative, legislative or regulatory authority, Entity, instrumentality, agency, department, commission, court, tribunal of competent jurisdiction or tribal authority (including any branch, department or official thereof); excluding, however, any Person engaged in the oil and gas extraction or services business that is owned in whole or in part by any such U.S. or non-U.S. international, regional, federal, state, municipal or local governmental, judicial, administrative, legislative or regulatory authority, Entity, instrumentality, agency, department, commission, court, or tribunal of competent jurisdiction (including any branch, department or official thereof).
“Hedge Contract” means any forward, swap, option, swaption, or other over-the-counter derivatives contract or other like instrument, entered into by a Company Party for hedging or risk management purposes.
6
“Hedge Counterparty” means any Consenting RBL Lender or affiliate thereof that (a) has a Hedge Contract as of the Execution Date or (b) will enter into a Hedge Contract following the Petition Date.
“Hedging Order” means any order authorizing the Debtors to enter into Amended ISDAs and new Hedge Contracts, as applicable, with any Consenting RBL Lender that is a DIP Lender or its affiliate.
“Joinder” means a joinder to this Agreement substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit G.
“Law” means any federal, state, local, or foreign law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, ruling, or judgment, in each case, that is validly adopted, promulgated, issued, or entered by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction (including the Bankruptcy Court).
“Management Incentive Plan” means any incentive program for the members of the management team of the Reorganized Debtors to be established as contemplated in the Plan, and in accordance with this Agreement and the Definitive Documents.
“Milestones” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.
“New Corporate Governance Documents” means the form of certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement, shareholders’ agreement, and such other applicable formation, organizational and governance documents (if any) of Reorganized Gulfport Topco, the material terms of each of which shall be included in the Plan Supplement.
“New Preferred Stock” means the new preferred stock of Reorganized Gulfport Topco to be issued on the Plan Effective Date subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan consistent with the terms of the New Preferred Stock Term Sheet, attached as Exhibit H hereto.
“New Unsecured Notes Term Sheet” means that certain term sheet attached as Exhibit I hereto, which includes the principal economic terms and conditions of the new unsecured notes to be issued pursuant to the terms of the Plan.
“No Recourse Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.21.
“Notes” means the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, and 2026 Notes.
“Notes Claims” means, collectively, the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes and 2026 Notes.
“Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person other than a natural person, the documents by which such Person was organized or formed (such as a certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership, or articles of organization, and including, without limitation, any certificates of designation for preferred stock or other forms of preferred equity) or which relate to the internal governance of such Person (such as by-laws, a partnership agreement or an operating, limited liability company, or members agreement).
7
“Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Permits” means any license, permit, registration, authorization, approval, certificate of authority, accreditation, qualification or similar document or authority that has been issued or granted by any Governmental Entity.
“Permitted Transferee” means each transferee of any Company Claims that meets the requirements of Section 9.01 and delivers a duly executed Transfer Agreement to the Company Parties.
“Person” means an individual, firm, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, joint venture, association, trust, estate, executor, administrator, Governmental Entity, or other Entity or organization.
“Petition Date” means the date on which the Debtors commence the Chapter 11 Cases.
“Plan” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Plan Effective Date” means the occurrence of the effective date of the Plan according to its terms.
“Plan Supplement” means the compilation of documents and forms and/or term sheets of documents, schedules, and exhibits to the Plan that will be filed by the Debtors with the Bankruptcy Court, each of which shall be consistent in all material respects with this Agreement (to the extent applicable) and subject to the consent rights set forth in Section 3.02.
“Qualified Marketmaker” means an Entity that (a) holds itself out to the public or the applicable private markets as standing ready in the ordinary course of business to purchase from customers and sell to customers Company Claims (or enter with customers into long and short positions in Company Claims), in its capacity as a dealer or market maker in Company Claims and (b) is, in fact, regularly in the business of making a market in claims against issuers or borrowers (including debt securities or other debt).
“RBL Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as administrative agent under the RBL Credit Agreement.
“RBL Claims” means any Claim against any Debtor arising under, in connection with, or related to the RBL Credit Agreement.
8
“RBL Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2013, by and among the Company, as borrower, the Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent and issuing bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, KeyBank National Association, and PNC Bank, National Association, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, KeyBank National Association and PNC Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., and Barclays Bank PLC, as co-documentation agents, and each of the lenders party thereto, as amended by that certain First Amendment, dated as of April 23, 2014, that certain Second Amendment, dated as of November 26, 2014, that certain Third Amendment, dated as of April 10, 2015, that certain Fourth Amendment and Limited Consent and Waiver dated as of May 29, 2015, that certain Fifth Amendment dated as of September 18, 2015, that certain Sixth Amendment dated as of February 19, 2016, that certain Seventh Amendment dated as of December 13, 2016, that certain Eighth Amendment dated as of March 29, 2017, that certain Ninth Amendment dated as of May 4, 2017, that certain Tenth Amendment dated as of October 4, 2017, that certain Eleventh Amendment dated as of November 21, 2017, that certain Twelfth Amendment dated as of May 21, 2018, that certain Thirteenth Amendment dated as of November 28, 2018, that certain Fourteenth Amendment dated as of June 3, 2019, that certain Fifteenth Amendment, dated as of May 1, 2020, and that certain Sixteenth Amendment, dated as of July 27, 2020, and as further amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
“RBL Lenders” means holders of RBL Loans.
“RBL Loans” means loans outstanding under the RBL Credit Agreement.
“Reorganized Debtors” means the Debtors, as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, on and after the Plan Effective Date, or any successors or assigns thereto.
“Reorganized Gulfport Topco” means Gulfport Topco, as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, on and after the Plan Effective Date, or any successor or assign thereto.
“Required Consenting Noteholders” means, as of the relevant date, the Consenting Noteholders holding at least 50.01 percent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes that are held by all Consenting Noteholders.
“Required Consenting RBL Lenders” means, as of the relevant date, the Consenting RBL Lenders holding at least 50.01 percent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of RBL Loans that are held by all Consenting RBL Lenders.
“Required Consenting Stakeholders” means, collectively, the Required Consenting RBL Lenders and the Required Consenting Noteholders.
“Required Parties” means the Company Parties and the Required Consenting Stakeholders.
“Required Supermajority Consenting Noteholders” means, as of the relevant date, the Consenting Noteholders holding at least 75.01 percent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes that are held by all Consenting Noteholders.
“Restructuring Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Rights Offering” means the at least $50 million rights offering for shares of New Preferred Stock to be conducted pursuant to the Backstop Commitment Agreement and the applicable Rights Offering Procedures, as further detailed in Article IV.D.3 of the Plan.
9
“Rights Offering Documents” means, collectively, any and all agreements, documents, and instruments delivered or entered into in connection with the Rights Offering, including the Rights Offering Procedures.
“Rights Offering Procedures” means those certain rights offering procedures, which shall be set forth in the Rights Offering Documents.
“Rules” means Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), and (7) of the Securities Act.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Solicitation Materials” means all documents, forms and other materials provided in connection with the solicitation of votes on the Plan.
“Termination Date” means the date on which termination of this Agreement as to a Party is effective in accordance with Sections 12.01, 12.02, 12.03, or 12.04.
“Transaction Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.
“Transfer” means to sell, resell, reallocate, use, pledge, assign, transfer, hypothecate, participate, donate or otherwise encumber or dispose of, directly or indirectly (including through Hedge Contracts or other transactions).
“Transfer Agreement” means an executed form of the transfer agreement providing, among other things, that a transferee is bound by the terms of this Agreement and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J.
“Trustee” means any indenture trustee, collateral trustee, or other trustee or similar entity under the Notes, in its capacity as such.
1.02 Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) in the appropriate context, each term, whether stated in the singular or the plural, shall include both the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine, and the neuter gender;
(b) capitalized terms defined only in the plural or singular form shall nonetheless have their defined meanings when used in the opposite form;
(c) unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to an existing document, schedule, or exhibit shall mean such document, schedule, or exhibit, as it may have been or may be amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that any capitalized terms herein that are defined with reference to another agreement, are defined with reference to such other agreement as of the date of this Agreement, without giving effect to any termination of such other agreement or amendments to such capitalized terms in any such other agreement following the date hereof;
10
(d) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to “Sections” are references to Sections of this Agreement;
(e) the words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereto” refer to this Agreement in its entirety rather than to any particular portion of this Agreement;
(f) captions and headings to Sections are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the interpretation of this Agreement;
(g) references to “shareholders,” “directors,” and/or “officers” shall also include “members” and/or “managers,” as applicable, as such terms are defined under the applicable limited liability company Laws;
(h) the use of “include” or “including” is without limitation, whether stated or not; and
(i) the phrase “counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders” refers in this Agreement to each counsel specified in Section 15.10 other than counsel to the Company Parties.
Section 2. Effectiveness of this Agreement.
2.01 This Agreement shall become effective and binding upon each of the Parties at 12:00 a.m., prevailing Eastern Time, on the Agreement Effective Date, which is the date on which all of the following conditions have been satisfied or waived in accordance with this Agreement:
(a) each of the Company Parties shall have executed and delivered counterpart signature pages of this Agreement to counsel to each of the Parties specified in Section 15.10;
(b) the following shall have executed and delivered counterpart signature pages of this Agreement to counsel to each of the Company Parties:
i. | holders of at least two-thirds of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes; and |
ii. | holders of at least two-thirds of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of RBL Loans. |
(c) the Company Parties shall have paid in full the Transaction Expenses of the Consenting Stakeholder Professionals that are accrued but unpaid as of the Agreement Effective Date, whether or not such Transaction Expenses are then due, outstanding, or otherwise payable;
(d) the Company Parties shall have funded a stay-ahead retainer for Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP that, as of the Agreement Effective Date, is in the aggregate amount of $5 million (the “Noteholder Counsel Retainer”);
11
(e) the Company Parties shall have pre-funded the monthly fees of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Inc. for seven (7) months at a rate of $150,000 per month for a total pre-fund amount of $1,050,000 (the “Noteholder Advisor Pre-Fund”); and
(f) counsel to the Company Parties shall have given notice to counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders in the manner set forth in Section 15.10 hereof (by email or otherwise) that the other conditions to the Agreement Effective Date set forth in this Section 2 have occurred.
Section 3. Definitive Documents.
3.01 The Definitive Documents governing the Restructuring shall consist of the following:
(a) the DIP Orders;
(b) the DIP Credit Agreement Documents;
(c) the Disclosure Statement, its exhibits, and any pleadings filed in support of the Disclosure Statement;
(d) the Backstop Approval Order;
(e) the Rights Offering Documents;
(f) the Backstop Commitment Documents;
(g) the Solicitation Materials, and the order approving the Solicitation Materials;
(h) the Disclosure Statement Order;
(i) the Plan, Plan Supplement, and all material documents, annexes, schedules, exhibits, amendments, modifications, or supplements thereto, or other documents contained therein, including any schedules of assumed or rejected contracts;
(j) the First Day Pleadings, and orders granting requested relief;
(k) the Confirmation Order, and any pleadings filed in support of Confirmation;
(l) the Exit Facility Documents;
(m) the Amended ISDA;
(n) the Hedging Orders;
(o) any Management Incentive Plan or employment agreement entered into after the date hereof and all additional documents or agreements related thereto;
12
(p) the New Corporate Governance Documents;
(q) this Agreement;
(r) the De Minimis Asset Sale Order;
(s) the New Unsecured Notes Term Sheet;
(t) the motions seeking approval of each of the above (and, to the extent applicable and not otherwise noted, the orders approving each of the above); and
(u) any other document necessary or desirable to implement or achieve the Restructuring Transactions not otherwise listed above; provided, however, that the following are not Definitive Documents: ministerial notices and similar ministerial documents; retention applications; fee applications; fee statements; any similar pleadings or motions relating to the retention or fees of any professional; or statements of financial affairs and schedules of assets and liabilities (the “Non-Substantive Documents”).
3.02 The Definitive Documents and related motions and orders shall be consistent with this Agreement, the Plan, and otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Required Consenting Stakeholders; provided that the Definitive Documents in Sections 3.01(a)-3.01(i), 3.01(k), 3.01(l), 3.01(n)-3.01(p), and 3.01(r)-3.01(s) and the related motions and orders shall be consistent with this Agreement, the Plan, and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to the Required Consenting Noteholders; provided, further, that the Definitive Documents in Sections 3.01(a)-3.01(i), 3.01(k)-3.01(n), and 3.01(r)-3.01(s) and the related motions and orders shall be consistent with this Agreement, the Plan, and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to the RBL Agent and DIP Agent. The Definitive Documents not executed or not in a form attached to this Agreement as of the Execution Date remain subject to negotiation and completion and, except as expressly contemplated in this Agreement (including as set forth in the exhibits and annexes hereto), shall be subject to the consent rights in the preceding sentence and shall be consistent with this Agreement. Upon completion, the Definitive Documents and every other document, deed, agreement, filing, notification, letter, or instrument related to the Restructuring Transactions shall reflect and contain terms, conditions, representations, warranties, and covenants consistent with the terms of this Agreement (including the exhibits and annexes hereto), as they may be modified, amended, or supplemented in accordance with Section 13.
3.03 The Company Parties acknowledge and agree that they will provide advance initial draft copies of the Definitive Documents in Sections 3.01(c), 3.01(e)-3.01(f), 3.01(h)-3.01(i), 3.01(k)-3.01(l), 3.01(n)-3.01(p), and 3.01(s) to counsel for the Consenting Stakeholders as soon as reasonably practicable, and will provide such documents no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the date when any Company Parties intend to file the applicable Definitive Documents with the Bankruptcy Court; provided, however, that for other Definitive Documents, if five (5) calendar days in advance is not reasonably practicable, in no event shall such document be provided later than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of any filing hereof. The Company Parties acknowledge and agree that they will provide advance initial draft copies of any substantive pleadings (which do not include the Non-Substantive Documents) other than the Definitive Documents to counsel for the Consenting Stakeholders no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date when any Company Parties intend to file the applicable substantive pleadings with the Bankruptcy Court.
13
Section 4. Milestones.
4.01 During the Agreement Effective Period, the Company Parties shall implement the Restructuring Transactions in accordance with the following milestones (the “Milestones”), as applicable, unless extended or waived in writing (which may be by electronic mail between applicable counsel) by the Company Parties and the Required Consenting Stakeholders. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in these Milestones shall prevent the Debtors from exercising their respective fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided that the exercise by the Debtors of a fiduciary out shall not impede the Consenting Stakeholders’ rights to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 12:
(a) no later than 11:59 p.m. (prevailing Central time) on November 13, 2020, the Company Parties shall have commenced the Chapter 11 Cases in the Bankruptcy Court and shall have filed the First Day Pleadings;
(b) no later than three (3) Business Days after the Petition Date, the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered the DIP Order on an interim basis;
(c) no later than thirty (30) days after the Petition Date, the Company Parties shall have filed with the Bankruptcy Court the Plan and the Disclosure Statement;
(d) on the date that the Company Parties file the Plan and the Disclosure Statement with the Bankruptcy Court, the Company Parties shall have filed with the Bankruptcy Court the Backstop Approval Motion;
(e) no later than thirty-five (35) days after the Petition Date, the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered the DIP Order on a final basis;
(f) no later than one hundred (100) days after the Petition Date, the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered the Disclosure Statement Order;
(g) no later than one hundred and forty (140) days after the Petition Date, the Company Parties shall have filed with the Bankruptcy Court the Plan Supplement;
(h) no later than one hundred and sixty-five (165) days after the Petition Date, the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered the Confirmation Order;
(i) no later than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Petition Date, the Plan Effective Date shall have occurred; and
(j) no later than one hundred and eighty (180) after the Petition Date, the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered one or more final orders permanently reducing the future demand reservation fees owed by the Company Parties over the life of all firm transportation agreements of the Company Parties, taken as whole, by at least 50% of the amount of all such fees owed on October 31, 2020, as calculated on a PV-10 basis and reducing the future firm transportation average daily demand reservation volumes over the life of all of the firm transportation agreements of the Company Parties as of October 31, 2020, taken as a whole, by at least 35%.
14
Section 5. Commitments of the Consenting Stakeholders.
5.01 General Commitments, Forbearances, and Waivers.
(a) Affirmative Commitments. During the Agreement Effective Period, each Consenting Stakeholder agrees, severally, and not jointly, in respect of all of its Company Claims, to:
(i) vote and exercise any powers or rights available to it (including in any board, shareholders’, or creditors’ meeting or in any process requiring voting or approval to which they are legally entitled to participate) in each case, in favor of any matter requiring approval to the extent consistent with and necessary to implement the Restructuring Transactions;
(ii) refrain from changing, revoking, amending, or withdrawing (or causing such change, revocation, amendment, or withdrawal of) any vote or election referred to in clause (i) above except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement (including upon the occurrence of a Consenting Stakeholder Termination Event);
(iii) negotiate in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts to execute and deliver any appropriate additional or alternative provisions or agreements to address any legal, financial, or structural impediment that may arise that would prevent, hinder, impede, delay, or are necessary to effectuate the consummation of, the Restructuring Transactions;
(iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to give any required notice, order, instruction, or direction to the applicable Agents that, in the view of the Consenting Stakeholders, is necessary to give effect to the Restructuring Transactions, provided that in no event shall the Consenting Stakeholders be required to provide an indemnity or bear responsibility for any out-of-pocket costs related to any such notice, order, instruction, or direction;
(v) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any Permits and Consents that are necessary for the Consenting RBL Lenders or Consenting Noteholders to obtain, as applicable, to implement or consummate any part of the Restructuring Transactions; and
(vi) negotiate in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts to execute and implement the Definitive Documents that are consistent with this Agreement (to the extent applicable) and to coordinate its activities with the other Parties (to the extent practicable and subject to the terms hereof) in respect of all matters concerning the implementation and consummation of the Restructuring Transactions.
15
(b) Negative Commitments. During the Agreement Effective Period (other than with respect to clause (vi) as specifically set forth therein), and subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Consenting Stakeholder agrees, severally, and not jointly, in respect of all of its Company Claims, that it shall not, other than to enforce this Agreement or any Definitive Document or as otherwise permitted under this Agreement, directly or indirectly:
(i) object to, delay, impede, or take any other action to materially interfere with acceptance, implementation, or consummation of the Restructuring Transactions;
(ii) propose, file, support, or vote for any Alternative Restructuring Proposal;
(iii) take any other actions in direct contravention of this Agreement, the Plan, or the Definitive Documents, or to the material detriment of the Restructuring Transactions;
(iv) modify the Definitive Documents, in whole or in part, in a manner that is not consistent with this Agreement in all material respects;
(v) file any motion, pleading, or other document with the Bankruptcy Court or any other court (including any modifications or amendments thereof) that, in whole or in part, is not materially consistent with this Agreement or the Plan;
(vi) exercise, or direct any other Person to exercise, any right or remedy (including, solely for five (5) Business Days following the Execution Date, and prior to a Hedge Counterparty entering into an Amended ISDA, the designation of any Early Termination Date, howsoever described or defined, in relation to any Hedge Contract) for the enforcement, collection, or recovery of any of Company Claims in or against the Company Parties other than pursuant to the Plan, the DIP Credit Agreement Documents, and other Definitive Documents;
(vii) object to any First Day Pleadings and “second day” pleadings consistent with this Agreement filed by the Debtors in furtherance of the Restructuring, including any motion seeking approval of the DIP Facility on the terms set forth herein and the DIP Credit Agreement;
(viii) object to or commence any legal proceeding challenging the liens or claims (including the priority thereof) granted or proposed to be granted to the DIP Commitment Parties under the DIP Order; or
(ix) object to, delay, impede, or take any other action to interfere with the Company Parties’ ownership and possession of their assets, wherever located, or interfere with the automatic stay arising under section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, unless otherwise permitted under the Definitive Documents.
16
(c) During the Agreement Effective Period, each Consenting Stakeholder, in respect of each of its Company Claims, severally, and not jointly, will support, and will not object to any motion or other pleading or document filed by a Company Party in the Chapter 11 Cases in furtherance of the Restructuring Transactions that is consistent with this Agreement.
(d) Financing Commitments.
(i) During the Agreement Effective Period, and subject in each case to the terms and conditions of the DIP Credit Agreement Documents, each Consenting RBL Lender agrees to enter into the DIP Credit Agreement and shall make available for funding its ratable share of the Commitments (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement);
(ii) During the Agreement Effective Period, and subject in each case to the terms and conditions of the Exit Facility Term Sheet and to the Exit Facility Documents being reasonably acceptable to the Required Consenting RBL Lenders, each Consenting RBL Lender agrees to enter into the Exit Facility and shall make available for funding its ratable share of the Aggregate Commitments (as defined in the Exit Facility Term Sheet) and of the First-Out Term Loans (as defined in the Exit Facility Term Sheet); and
(iii) Each existing Hedge Counterparty shall enter into an Amended ISDA concurrent herewith, but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Execution Date.
5.02 Backstop Commitment. The Backstop Commitment Parties hereby commit to backstop the Rights Offering on the terms set forth in the Backstop Commitment Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit D.
5.03 Commitments with Respect to Chapter 11 Cases.
(a) During the Agreement Effective Period, each Consenting Stakeholder that is entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan pursuant to its terms agrees that it shall, subject to receipt by such Consenting Stakeholder of the Solicitation Materials:
(i) vote each of its Company Claims to accept the Plan by delivering its duly executed and completed ballot accepting the Plan on a timely basis following the commencement of the solicitation of the Plan and its actual receipt of the Solicitation Materials and the ballot;
(ii) support the mutual release and exculpation provisions to be provided in the Plan;
(iii) to the extent it is permitted to elect whether to opt out of the releases set forth in the Plan, elect not to opt out of the releases set forth in the Plan by timely delivering its duly executed and completed ballot(s) indicating such election; and
17
(iv) not change, withdraw, amend, or revoke (or cause to be changed, withdrawn, amended, or revoked) any vote or election referred to in clauses (i)-(iii) above; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall prevent any Party from withholding, amending, or revoking (or causing the same) its timely consent or vote with respect to the Plan if this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms with respect to such Party.
(b) During the Agreement Effective Period, each Consenting Stakeholder, in respect of each of its Company Claims, will support, and will not directly or indirectly object to, delay, impede, or take any other action to interfere with any motion or other pleading or document filed by a Company Party in the Bankruptcy Court that is consistent with this Agreement, including Section 3.02 of this Agreement.
Section 6. Additional Provisions Regarding the Consenting Stakeholders’ Commitments.
6.01 The Parties understand that the Consenting RBL Lenders and Consenting Noteholders are engaged in a wide range of financial services and businesses. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge and agree that, to the extent a Consenting RBL Lender or Consenting Noteholder expressly indicates on its signature page hereto that it is executing this Agreement on behalf of specific trading desk(s) and/or business group(s) of the Consenting RBL Lender or Consenting Noteholder, the obligations set forth in this Agreement shall only apply to such trading desk(s) and/or business group(s) and shall not apply to any other trading desk or business group of the Consenting RBL Lender or Consenting Noteholder, so long as they are not acting at the direction or for the benefit of the Consenting RBL Lender or Consenting Noteholder, or such entities’ investment in the Company; provided that the foregoing shall not diminish or otherwise affect the obligations and liability therefor of any legal entity that (i) executes this Agreement or (ii) on whose behalf this Agreement is executed by a Consenting RBL Lender or Consenting Noteholder.
6.02 Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall:
(a) be construed to prohibit any Consenting Stakeholder from appearing as a party in interest and filing papers in any matter to be adjudicated in the Chapter 11 Cases, so long as such appearance and the positions advocated in connection therewith are not inconsistent with this Agreement;
(b) affect the ability of any Consenting Stakeholder to consult with any other Consenting Stakeholder, the Company Parties, or any other party in interest in the Chapter 11 Cases (including any official committee and the United States Trustee);
(c) impair or waive the rights of any Consenting Stakeholder to assert or raise any objection permitted under this Agreement in connection with the Restructuring Transactions;
(d) prevent any Consenting Stakeholder from enforcing this Agreement or any other Definitive Document, or from contesting whether any matter, fact, or thing is a breach of or is inconsistent with, such document(s);
18
(e) limit the ability of a Consenting Stakeholder to purchase, sell, or enter into any transaction regarding the Company Claims, subject to the terms hereof;
(f) (i) prevent any Consenting Stakeholder from taking any action which is required by applicable Law, (ii) require any Consenting Stakeholder to take any action which is prohibited by applicable Law or to waive or forego the benefit of any applicable legal professional privilege, or (iii) require any Consenting Stakeholder to incur any expenses, liabilities, or other obligations, or agree to any commitments, undertakings, concessions, indemnities, or other arrangements that could result in expenses, liabilities, or other obligations;
(g) prevent any Consenting Stakeholder by reason of this Agreement or the Restructuring Transactions from making, seeking, or receiving any regulatory filings, notifications, consents, determinations, authorizations, permits, approvals, licenses, or the like;
(h) prevent any Consenting Stakeholder from taking any action that is necessary to preserve or defend the validity, existence, or priority of its Company Claims, including, without limitation, the filing of a proof of claim against any Company Party;
(i) require any Consenting Stakeholders to incur, assume, become liable for any liabilities or other obligations, or to commence litigation or agree to any commitments, undertakings, concessions, indemnities, or other arrangements to such Consenting Stakeholders, in each case, that could result in liabilities or other obligations to such Consenting Stakeholders, other than as reasonably necessary to comply with the obligations under this Agreement; or
(j) obligate a Consenting Stakeholder to deliver a vote to support the Plan or prohibit a Consenting Stakeholder from withdrawing such vote, in each case from and after the Termination Date (other than a Termination Date as a result of the occurrence of the Effective Date); provided that upon the withdrawal of any such vote after the Termination Date (other than a Termination Date as a result of the occurrence of the Effective Date), such vote shall be deemed void ab initio and such Consenting Stakeholder shall have the opportunity to change its vote.
6.03 DIP Facility. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Section 6.03 shall have the meaning set forth in the DIP Credit Agreement Documents and the DIP Orders.
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall affect the rights of the DIP Agent and the DIP Lenders under the DIP Orders or the DIP Credit Agreement Documents and to the extent of any conflict between this Agreement and the DIP Orders or the DIP Credit Agreement Documents or the Hedging Order, the DIP Orders or the DIP Credit Agreement Documents or the Hedging Order, as applicable, shall govern.
(b) Each of the Consenting Stakeholders irrevocably consents to (i) the DIP Facility and the use of Cash Collateral (each as defined in the DIP Orders), (ii) the priming of the Prepetition First Liens by the DIP Liens (each as defined in the DIP Orders), as set forth in the DIP Orders, and (iii) the entry of the DIP Orders.
19
Section 7. Commitments of the Company Parties.
7.01 Affirmative Commitments. Except as set forth in Section 8, during the Agreement Effective Period, the Company Parties agree to:
(a) support and take all reasonable and necessary and desirable steps to (i) consummate the Restructuring Transactions in accordance with this Agreement, (ii) prosecute and defend any appeals relating to the Confirmation Order, and (iii) comply with each Milestone set forth in this Agreement;
(b) to the extent any legal or structural impediment arises that would prevent, hinder, or delay the consummation of the Restructuring Transactions contemplated herein, support and take all steps reasonably necessary and desirable to address any such impediment;
(c) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any and all required governmental, regulatory, environmental, and/or third-party approvals for the Restructuring Transactions;
(d) use commercially reasonable efforts to seek additional support for the Restructuring Transactions from their other material stakeholders to the extent reasonably prudent, and to the extent the Company Parties receive any Joinders or Transfer Agreements, notify the Consenting Stakeholders of such Joinders and Transfer Agreements;
(e) negotiate in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts to execute and deliver the Definitive Documents and any other required agreements to effectuate and consummate the Restructuring Transactions as contemplated by this Agreement;
(f) actively oppose and object to the efforts of any person seeking to object to, delay, impede, or take any other action to interfere with the acceptance, implementation, or consummation of the Restructuring (including, if applicable, the filing of timely objections or written responses) to the extent such opposition or objection is reasonably necessary or desirable to facilitate implementation of the Restructuring;
(g) consult with the Consenting Stakeholders and their advisors as to:
(i) the status and progress of the contract rejection process, the negotiations of the Definitive Documents, and discussions with shareholders;
(ii) any potential rejection, termination, breach, assumption, renegotiation, or other modification with respect to any of the Company Parties’ midstream contracts or entry into any new midstream contracts by the Company Parties;
20
(iii) the payment of any prepetition claims in excess of $1 million to the extent the payment of such claims is not authorized by this Agreement, the Plan, or any First Day Order other than the DIP Orders;
(iv) the business and financial (including liquidity and budget) performance of the Company Parties;
(v) hedging strategies (it being understood that so long as the required consultation or consent, as the case may be, is obtained regarding hedging strategies, then no consultation or consent is required to enter into individual hedge contracts);
(vi) strategy concerning the maximization of tax efficiencies;
(vii) the Claims reconciliation process;
(viii) changes to the compensation of management team members; and
(ix) the status of obtaining any necessary or desirable authorizations (including consents) from any competent judicial body, governmental authority, banking, taxation, supervisory, regulatory body, or any stock exchange;
(h) without limiting any consent rights otherwise provided in this Agreement, obtain the consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders prior to effecting any action, series of actions, payment, or strategy, as applicable, contemplated by Sections 7.01(g)(ii), 7.01(g)(iii), or 7.01(g)(v) above if the amount is at least $1 million;
(i) provide the Consenting Stakeholders reasonable access to the books and records of the Company Parties upon reasonable advance notice to the Company Parties and without disruption to the operation of the Company Parties’ business;
(j) provide the Consenting Stakeholders reasonable access to the management of the Company Parties upon reasonable advance notice to the Company Parties and without disruption to the operation of the Company Parties’ business;
(k) inform counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of:
(i) any event or circumstance that has occurred, or that is reasonably likely to occur (and if it did so occur), that would permit any Party to terminate, or would result in the termination of, this Agreement with respect to such Party;
(ii) any matter or circumstance which they know, or suspect is likely, to be a material impediment to the implementation or consummation of the Restructuring Transactions;
(iii) any notice of any commencement of any material involuntary insolvency proceeding, legal suit for payment of material debt, or enforcement of a security interest by any person in respect of material property owned by any Company Party;
21
(iv) any breach of this Agreement (including any breach by any Company Party);
(v) the status and progress of the Restructuring Transactions, including progress in relation to the negotiations of the Definitive Documents;
(vi) the status of obtaining any necessary or desirable authorizations (including any consents) from any competent judicial body, governmental authority, banking, taxation, supervisory, or regulatory body or any stock exchange;
(vii) any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by them under this Agreement which is or proves to have been materially incorrect or misleading in any respect when made or deemed to be made; and
(viii) any material operations or financial developments of the Company Parties.
(l) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain their good standing under the Laws of the state or other jurisdiction in which they are incorporated or organized;
(m) (A) provide counsel for the Consenting Stakeholders all Definitive Documents and substantive pleadings (including, without limitation, all First Day Pleadings and “second day” pleadings) and any other substantive documents that the Company Parties intend to file in the Chapter 11 Cases no later than the time specified in Section 3.03 hereof, and (B) be available to consult in good faith with counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders regarding the form and substance of any document referred to in the immediately preceding clause (A) before filing such document in the Chapter 11 Cases;
(n) use commercially reasonable efforts to seek additional support for the Restructuring Transactions from their other material stakeholders to the extent reasonably prudent;
(o) comply with the terms, conditions, and obligations of the DIP Credit Agreement Documents, including the DIP Orders, once approved or entered, as applicable, by the Bankruptcy Court;
(p) operate their businesses in the ordinary course, taking into account the Restructuring Transactions and the Chapter 11 Cases;
(q) on or after the date hereof, not engage in any material merger, consolidation, disposition, acquisition, investment, dividend, incurrence of indebtedness or other similar transaction outside of the ordinary course of business other than the Restructuring Transactions; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any actions taken pursuant to the De Minimis Asset Sale Order or any First Day Order other than the DIP Orders; provided that the foregoing does not prevent any incurrence of indebtedness pursuant to the DIP Orders.
22
(r) timely file a formal objection, after consultation in good faith with the Consenting Stakeholders, to any motion filed with the Bankruptcy Court by a third party seeking the entry of an order (i) directing the appointment of a trustee or examiner (with expanded powers beyond those set forth in sections 1106(a)(3) and (4) of the Bankruptcy Code), (ii) converting the Chapter 11 Cases to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, (iii) dismissing the Chapter 11 Cases, or (iv) directing the appointment of an equity committee, whether pursuant to section 1102(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, in the Chapter 11 Cases;
(s) support the mutual release and exculpatory provisions to be provided in the Plan;
(t) timely file a formal objection, after consultation in good faith with the Consenting Stakeholders, to any motion filed with the Bankruptcy Court by a third party seeking the entry of an order modifying or terminating the Company Parties’ exclusive right to file and/or solicit acceptances of a plan of reorganization, as applicable;
(u) engage Xxxxxxx & Marsal, Inc., or another person acceptable to the Required Consenting Stakeholders, as Chief Restructuring Officer, who shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company;
(v) not establish, effectuate, or seek approval of any additional incentive or retention plans, including a key employee incentive plan or a key employee retention plan, during the course of the Chapter 11 Cases;
(w) fund the Noteholder Counsel Retainer and the Noteholder Advisor Pre-Fund in accordance with Sections 2.01(d) and 2.01(e) hereof; and
(x) pay the Transaction Expenses of the Consenting Stakeholder Professionals in accordance with Section 14 hereof.
7.02 Negative Commitments. Except as set forth in Section 8, during the Agreement Effective Period, each of the Company Parties shall not directly or indirectly:
(a) object to, delay, impede, or take any other action to interfere with acceptance, implementation, or consummation of the Restructuring Transactions;
(b) take any action that is inconsistent in any material respect with, or is intended to frustrate or impede approval, implementation and consummation of the Restructuring Transactions described in, this Agreement or the Plan;
(c) except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan, or pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions, transfer any asset or right of the Company Parties or any asset or right used in the business of the Company Parties to any person or entity outside the ordinary course of business without the consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any actions taken pursuant to any First Day Order (other than the DIP Orders) or the De Minimis Asset Sale Order.
23
(d) take or fail to take any action outside the ordinary course of business (except to the extent expressly contemplated by the Plan) if such action or failure to act would cause a change to the tax status of any Company Party or be expected to cause, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse tax consequence to the Company Parties pursuant to the Plan, without the consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders;
(e) except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan, or pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions, engage in any merger, consolidation, disposition, acquisition, investment, dividend, incurrence of indebtedness or other similar transaction outside the ordinary course of business, other than the transactions contemplated herein and on the terms contemplated hereby without the consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any actions taken pursuant to any First Day Order (other than the DIP Orders) or the De Minimis Asset Sale Order.
(f) enter into any commitment or agreement with respect to debtor-in-possession financing, cash collateral, and/or exit financing other than the facilities contemplated under the DIP Facility and Exit Facility;
(g) incur any liens or security interest, other than those existing immediately prior to the date hereof, those permitted under the DIP Facility, or those granted under the DIP Facility, the Exit Facility, or the Hedging Order;
(h) modify the Plan, in whole or in part, in a manner that does not comply with this Agreement;
(i) withdraw or revoke the Plan or publicly announce its intention not to pursue the Plan;
(j) file any motion, pleading, or Definitive Documents with the Bankruptcy Court or any other court (including any modifications or amendments thereof) that, in whole or in part, is not materially consistent with this Agreement, the Plan, or the Definitive Documents;
(k) commence an avoidance action or other legal proceeding that challenges the validity, enforceability, avoidability, perfection, or priority of the obligations under or liens securing the RBL Credit Agreement;
(l) commence, support, or join any litigation or adversary proceedings against the Consenting Stakeholders;
(m) except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan, or pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions, issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any additional shares of, or any options, warrants, conversion privileges or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, any of its Equity Interests, including capital stock or limited liability company interests;
24
(n) amend or propose to amend its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or comparable organizational documents in a manner inconsistent with this Agreement or the Plan;
(o) except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan, or pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions, split, combine or reclassify any outstanding shares of its capital stock or other Equity Interests, or declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise with respect to any of its Equity Interests;
(p) except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan, or pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions, redeem, purchase, or acquire or offer to acquire any of its Equity Interests, including capital stock or limited liability company interests;
(q) except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan, or pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions, incur or suffer to exist any indebtedness or debt, or guarantee any indebtedness or enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any financial condition of another person, except indebtedness existing and outstanding immediately before the Petition Date, trade payables, liabilities arising and incurred in the ordinary course of business, and indebtedness arising under the DIP Facility; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any actions taken pursuant to any First Day Order or the De Minimis Asset Sale Order; or
(r) except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan, or pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions, change materially its financial or tax accounting methods, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP or applicable law, or revalue any of its material assets.
Section 8. Additional Provisions Regarding Company Parties’ Commitments.
8.01 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall require a Company Party or the board of directors, board of managers, or similar governing body of a Company Party (including any special committee of such governing body, as applicable), after consulting with counsel, to take any action or to refrain from taking any action to the extent taking or failing to take such action would be inconsistent with applicable Law or its fiduciary obligations under applicable Law, and any such action or inaction pursuant to this Section 8.01 shall not be deemed to constitute a breach of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 8.01 shall not impede any Party’s right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 12. The Company Parties shall give prompt written notice to counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders of any determination in accordance with this Section 8.01 to take or refrain from taking any action.
25
8.02 Notwithstanding anything contrary to this Agreement (but subject to Section 8.01), each Company Party and its respective directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors or representatives shall not solicit an Alternative Restructuring Proposal, offer, indication of interest, or inquiry for one or more Alternative Restructuring Proposals, but shall have the right to consider, respond to, and facilitate Alternative Restructuring Proposals and in furtherance thereof, may: (a) provide access to non-public information concerning any Company Party to any Entity or enter into Confidentiality Agreements or nondisclosure agreements with any Entity regarding Alternative Restructuring Proposals; (b) maintain or continue discussions or negotiations with respect to Alternative Restructuring Proposals; (c) otherwise cooperate with, assist, participate in, or facilitate any inquiries, proposals, discussions, or negotiation of Alternative Restructuring Proposals; and/or (d) enter into or continue discussions or negotiations with holders of Claims against or Equity Interests in a Company Party (including any Consenting Stakeholder), any other party in interest in the Chapter 11 Cases (including any official committee and the United States Trustee), or any other Entity regarding Alternative Restructuring Proposals; provided that the applicable Company Party or its respective directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, consultants, or other advisors or representatives shall (y) provide notice and a copy of any Alternative Restructuring Proposal to counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders within one (1) Business Day of receipt, and (z) inform counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders of any decision to exercise a Fiduciary Out within 24 hours of such decision being made.
8.03 Nothing in this Agreement shall: (a) impair or waive the rights of any Company Party to assert or raise any objection permitted under this Agreement in connection with the Restructuring Transactions; or (b) prevent any Company Party from enforcing this Agreement or contesting whether any matter, fact, or thing is a breach of, or is inconsistent with, this Agreement.
Section 9. Transfer of Equity Interests and Securities.
9.01 During the Agreement Effective Period, no Consenting Stakeholder shall Transfer any ownership (including any beneficial ownership as defined in the Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in any Company Claims to any affiliated or unaffiliated party, including any party in which it may hold a direct or indirect beneficial interest, unless:
(a) in the case of any Company Claims, the authorized transferee is either (i) a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act, (ii) a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction as defined under Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) an institutional accredited investor (as defined in the Rules), (iv) with respect to RBL Claims, any assignee that satisfies the conditions to assignment in Section 12.04(b) of the RBL Credit Agreement, or (v) a Consenting Stakeholder; and
(b) either (i) the transferee executes and delivers to counsel to the Company Parties, within five (5) Business Days of the proposed Transfer, a Transfer Agreement or (ii) the transferee is a Consenting Stakeholder and the transferee provides notice of such Transfer (including the amount and type of Company Claim Transferred) to counsel to the Company Parties within five (5) Business Days of such acquisition.
9.02 Upon compliance with the requirements of Section 9.01 and delivery of a duly executed Transfer Agreement to the Company Parties, the transferor shall be deemed to relinquish its rights (and be released from its obligations) under this Agreement to the extent of the rights and obligations in respect of such transferred Company Claims. Any Transfer in violation of Section 9.01 shall be void ab initio.
26
9.03 This Agreement shall in no way be construed to preclude the Consenting Stakeholders (in their capacities as Consenting Stakeholders) from acquiring additional Company Claims; provided, however, that (a) such additional Company Claims shall automatically and immediately upon acquisition by a Consenting Stakeholder be deemed subject to the terms of this Agreement (regardless of when or whether notice of such acquisition is given to counsel to the Company Parties or counsel to the Consenting Stakeholders) and (b) such Consenting Stakeholder must provide notice of such acquisition (including the amount and type of Company Claim acquired) to counsel to the Company Parties within five (5) Business Days of such acquisition.
9.04 This Section 9 shall not impose any obligation on any Company Party to issue any “cleansing letter” or otherwise publicly disclose information for the purpose of enabling a Consenting Stakeholder to Transfer any of its Company Claims. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent a Company Party and another Party have entered into a Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of such Confidentiality Agreement shall continue to apply and remain in full force and effect according to its terms, and this Agreement does not supersede any rights or obligations otherwise arising under such Confidentiality Agreements.
9.05 Notwithstanding Section 9.01, a Qualified Marketmaker that acquires any Company Claims from a Consenting Stakeholder with the purpose and intent of acting as a Qualified Marketmaker for such Company Claims shall not be required to execute and deliver a Transfer Agreement in respect of such Company Claims if (a) such Qualified Marketmaker subsequently transfers such Company Claims (by purchase, sale assignment, participation, or otherwise) within ten (10) Business Days of its acquisition to a transferee that is an Entity that is not an Affiliate, affiliated fund, or affiliated Entity with a common investment advisor; (b) the transferee otherwise is a Permitted Transferee under Section 9.01; and (c) the Transfer otherwise is a permitted Transfer under Section 9.01. To the extent that a Consenting Stakeholder is acting in its capacity as a Qualified Marketmaker, it may Transfer (by purchase, sale, assignment, participation, or otherwise) any right, title or interests in Company Claims that the Qualified Marketmaker acquires from a holder of the Company Claims who is not a Consenting Stakeholder without the requirement that the transferee be a Permitted Transferee.
9.06 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9, the restrictions on Transfer set forth in this Section 9 shall not apply to the grant of any liens or encumbrances on any claims and interests in favor of a bank or broker-dealer holding custody of such Claims and interests in the ordinary course of business and which lien or encumbrance is released upon the Transfer of such claims and interests.
Section 10. Representations and Warranties of Consenting Stakeholders.
Each Consenting Stakeholder severally, and not jointly, represents and warrants that, as of the date such Consenting Stakeholder executes and delivers this Agreement and as of the Plan Effective Date:
(a) it is the beneficial or record owner of the face amount of the Company Claims or is the nominee, investment manager, or advisor for beneficial holders of the Company Claims reflected in such Consenting Stakeholder’s signature page to this Agreement, a Joinder, or a Transfer Agreement, as applicable (as may be updated pursuant to Section 9);
27
(b) it has the full power and authority to act on behalf of, vote and consent to matters concerning, such Company Claims;
(c) such Company Claims are free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, charge, claim, equity, option, proxy, voting restriction, right of first refusal, or other limitation on disposition, Transfer, or encumbrances of any kind, that would adversely affect in any way such Consenting Stakeholder’s ability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement at the time such obligations are required to be performed;
(d) it has the full power to vote, approve changes to, and Transfer all of its Company Claims referable to it as contemplated by this Agreement subject to applicable Law; and
(e) (i) it is either (A) a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act, (B) not a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act), or (C) an institutional accredited investor (as defined in the Rules), and (ii) any securities acquired by the Consenting Stakeholder in connection with the Restructuring Transactions will have been acquired for investment and not with a view to distribution or resale in violation of the Securities Act.
Section 11. Mutual Representations, Warranties, and Covenants.
Each of the Parties severally and not jointly, represents, warrants, and covenants to each other Party, as of the date such Party executed and delivers this Agreement and as of the Plan Effective Date (for the avoidance of doubt, a Consenting Noteholder that is an investment advisor, sub-advisor, or manager of discretionary accounts that beneficially hold Notes Claims only represents, warrants, or covenants under this Section 11 with respect to such discretionary accounts):
(a) it shall not, directly or indirectly, initiate, or have initiated on its behalf, any litigation or proceeding of any kind with respect to the Chapter 11 Cases, this Agreement, or the other Restructuring Transactions contemplated herein against the other Parties other than to enforce this Agreement or any Definitive Document or as otherwise permitted under this Agreement or any Definitive Document;
(b) it is validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state of its organization, and this Agreement is a legal, valid, and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable Laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability;
(c) except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Plan, and the Bankruptcy Code, no consent or approval is required by any other Person or Entity in order for it to effectuate the Restructuring Transactions contemplated by, and perform its respective obligations under, this Agreement;
28
(d) the entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement do not, and will not, conflict in any material respect with any Law or regulation applicable to it or with any of its Organizational Documents;
(e) except as expressly provided in this Agreement, it has (or will have, at the relevant time) all requisite corporate or other power and authority to enter into, execute, and deliver this Agreement and to effectuate the Restructuring Transactions contemplated by, and perform its respective obligations under, this Agreement; and
(f) except as expressly provided by this Agreement, it is not party to any restructuring or similar agreements or arrangements with the other Parties to this Agreement that have not been disclosed to all Parties to this Agreement.
Section 12. Termination Events
12.01 Consenting Stakeholder Termination Events. This Agreement may be terminated (a) with respect to any Consenting RBL Lender, by such Consenting RBL Lender, (b) with respect to any Consenting Noteholder, by such Consenting Noteholder, in each case by the delivery to the Parties of a written notice in accordance with Section 15.10 hereof upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) the breach by a Company Party of any of the representations, warranties, or covenants of the Company Parties set forth in this Agreement that remains uncured for five (5) Business Days after such terminating Consenting Stakeholder transmits a written notice in accordance with Section 15.10 hereof detailing any such breach;
(b) any of the Milestones set forth in Section 4.01 (as may be extended or waived in accordance with this Agreement) has not been achieved by the date specified for such Milestone;2
(c) the issuance by any governmental authority, including any regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction, of any final, non-appealable ruling or order that (i) enjoins the consummation of a material portion of the Restructuring Transactions and (ii) remains in effect for ten (10) Business Days after such terminating Consenting Stakeholder transmits a written notice in accordance with Section 15.10 hereof detailing any such issuance; provided, however, that this termination right may not be exercised by any Party that sought or requested such ruling or order in contravention of any obligation set out in this Agreement;
(d) the board of directors, board of managers, or such similar governing body of any Company Party determines (including any special committee of such governing body, as applicable), after consulting with its advisors (i) that proceeding with any of the Restructuring Transactions would be inconsistent with the exercise of its fiduciary duties or applicable Law or (ii) in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, to pursue an Alternative Restructuring Proposal;
2 | For the avoidance of doubt, no Party may terminate this Agreement on account of failure to satisfy a Milestone to the extent that such failure is primarily caused by or primarily resulting from such Party’s own action (or failure to act) in breach of this Agreement; provided that an individual Consenting Stakeholders’ action (or failure to act) shall not be imputed to the Consenting Stakeholders as a group or any other individual Consenting Stakeholder. |
29
(e) the Bankruptcy Court enters an order denying confirmation of the Plan or any material provision thereof, including any provisions in the Plan relating to releases by the Company Parties of the Consenting Stakeholders, or any material provisions relating to third party releases of the Consenting Stakeholders and such order remains in effect for five (5) Business Days following the entry thereof;
(f) the Bankruptcy Court enters an order, or any Company Party files a motion or application seeking an order (i) converting one or more of the Chapter 11 Cases of a Company Party to a case under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) appointing an examiner with expanded powers beyond those set forth in sections 1106(a)(3) and (4) of the Bankruptcy Code or a chapter 11 trustee in one or more of the Chapter 11 Cases of a Company Party, or (iii) rejecting this Agreement;
(g) any order approving the Plan or the Disclosure Statement is reversed, stayed, dismissed, vacated, or reconsidered without the prior written consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders or is modified or amended (i) in a manner that is inconsistent with this Agreement and (ii) remains uncured for five (5) Business Days after such terminating Consenting Stakeholder transmits a written notice in accordance with Section 15.10 hereof describing any such breach;
(h) the making public, modification, amendment or filing of any of the Definitive Documents by any Company Party that contains terms or conditions that have not received the consent of the applicable Consenting Stakeholders as provided for in Section 3 of this Agreement (i) in a manner that is adverse to the Consenting Stakeholders seeking termination pursuant to this provision and (ii) remains uncured for five (5) Business Days after such terminating Consenting Stakeholders transmits a written notice in accordance with Section 15.10 hereof describing any such breach;
(i) (i) the occurrence of the DIP Maturity Date, (ii) the termination or modification of the Interim DIP Order or the Final DIP Order in a manner that is inconsistent with the DIP Credit Agreement; (iii) the termination of any order or agreement permitting the use of cash collateral in the Chapter 11 Cases; or (iv) the occurrence of an Event of Default under the DIP Credit Agreement that shall not have been cured within any applicable grace periods or waived pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement;
(j) the Company amends the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Definitive Documents, or any amendments, modifications, exhibits or supplements thereto in a manner that is not permitted by this Agreement; or
(k) the Company Parties (i) withdraw the Plan, (ii) publicly announce their intention not to support the Restructuring Transactions, or (iii) file, publicly announce, execute a definitive written agreement with respect to an Alternative Restructuring Proposal or determine not to grant releases to any Consenting Stakeholder.
30
If, after termination of this Agreement by any Consenting Stakeholder, holders of less than two-thirds of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes or holders of less than two-thirds of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of RBL Loans are party to this Agreement, the Required Consenting Stakeholders may, in their sole discretion, terminate this Agreement upon three (3) Business Days’ written notice to all Parties, which shall be delivered in accordance with Section 15.10.
12.02 Company Party Termination Events. Any Company Party may terminate this Agreement as to all Parties upon prior written notice to all Parties in accordance with Section 15.10 hereof upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) with respect to the Consenting RBL Lenders, the breach in any material respect by the Consenting RBL Lenders holding an amount of the RBL Claims that would result in non-breaching Consenting RBL Lenders holding less than two-thirds of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the RBL Claims, of any provision set forth in this Agreement that remains uncured for a period of five (5) Business Days after the receipt by counsel to the RBL Agent of notice of such breach;
(b) with respect to the Consenting Noteholders, the breach in any material respect by the Consenting Stakeholders holding an amount of the Notes that would result in non-breaching Consenting Noteholders holding less than two-thirds of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Notes, of any provision set forth in this Agreement that remains uncured for a period of five (5) Business Days after the receipt by counsel to the Consenting Noteholders of notice of such breach;
(c) the board of directors, board of managers, or such similar governing body of any Company Party determines (including any special committee of such governing body, as applicable), after consulting with its advisors, (i) that proceeding with any of the Restructuring Transactions would be inconsistent with the exercise of its fiduciary duties or applicable Law or (ii) in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, to pursue an Alternative Restructuring Proposal (such determination, a “Fiduciary Out”);
(d) the issuance by any governmental authority, including any regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction, of any final, non-appealable ruling or order that (i) enjoins the consummation of a material portion of the Restructuring Transactions and (ii) remains in effect for ten (10) Business Days after such terminating Company Party transmits a written notice in accordance with Section 15.10 hereof detailing any such issuance; provided, however, that this termination right shall not apply to or be exercised by any Company Party that sought or requested such ruling or order in contravention of any obligation or restriction set out in this Agreement; or
(e) the Bankruptcy Court enters an order denying confirmation of the Plan and such order remains in effect for five (5) Business Days after entry of such order.
12.03 Mutual Termination. This Agreement, and the obligations of all Parties hereunder, may be terminated by mutual written agreement among all of the following: (a) the Required Consenting Stakeholders; and (b) each Company Party.
31
12.04 Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall terminate automatically without any further required action or notice immediately upon the Plan Effective Date.
12.05 Effect of Termination. Upon the occurrence of a Termination Date as to a Party, this Agreement shall be of no further force and effect as to such Party and each Party subject to such termination shall be released from its commitments, undertakings, and agreements under or related to this Agreement and shall have the rights and remedies that it would have had, had it not entered into this Agreement, and shall be entitled to take all actions, whether with respect to the Restructuring Transactions or otherwise, that it would have been entitled to take had it not entered into this Agreement, including with respect to any and all Claims or causes of action. Upon the occurrence of a Termination Date, any and all consents or ballots tendered by the Parties subject to such termination before a Termination Date shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be null and void from the first instance, without regard to any impact of the automatic stay under section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, which the Company agrees to waive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall not be considered or otherwise used in any manner by the Parties in connection with the Restructuring Transactions and this Agreement or otherwise and such consents or ballots may be changed or resubmitted regardless of whether the applicable voting deadline has passed (without the need to seek a court order or consent from the Company allowing such change or resubmission); provided, however, any Consenting Stakeholder withdrawing or changing its vote pursuant to this Section 12.05 shall promptly provide written notice of such withdrawal or change to counsel to the Company Parties and, if such withdrawal or change occurs on or after the Petition Date, file notice of such withdrawal or change with the Bankruptcy Court. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting a Company Party or any of the Consenting Stakeholders from contesting whether any such termination is in accordance with its terms or to seek enforcement of any rights under this Agreement that arose or existed before a Termination Date. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing herein is intended to, or does, in any manner waive, limit, impair, or restrict (a) any right of any Company Party or the ability of any Company Party to protect and reserve its rights (including rights under this Agreement), remedies, and interests, including its claims against any Consenting Stakeholder, and (b) any right of any Consenting Stakeholder, or the ability of any Consenting Stakeholder, to protect and preserve its rights (including rights under this Agreement), remedies, and interests, including its claims against any Company Party or Consenting Stakeholder. No purported termination of this Agreement shall be effective under this Section 12.05 or otherwise if the Party seeking to terminate this Agreement is in material breach of this Agreement, except a termination pursuant to Section 12.02(d). Nothing in this Section 12.05 shall restrict any Company Party’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 12.02(c).
12.06 Limitations. No Party may terminate this Agreement on account of a Termination Event if the occurrence of such Termination Event was primarily caused by, or primarily resulted from, such Party’s own actions (or failure to act) in breach of the terms of this Agreement; provided that an individual Consenting Stakeholders’ action (or failure to act) shall not be imputed to the Consenting Stakeholders as a group or any other individual Consenting Stakeholder.
32
Section 13. Amendments and Waivers
(a) This Agreement (or any exhibit, annex, or schedule hereto) may be modified, amended, or supplemented, or a condition or requirement of this Agreement (or any exhibit, annex, or schedule hereto) may be waived, in a writing signed by: (a) each Company Party, and (b) solely with respect to any modification, amendment, waiver, or supplement that alters the rights of such Parties (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes any change to this Section 13 affecting such Parties), the Required Consenting Stakeholders, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the consent of each such affected Consenting Stakeholder shall also be required to effectuate any modification, amendment, waiver, or supplement if the proposed modification, amendment, waiver, or supplement (x) has a material, disproportionate (as compared to other Consenting Stakeholders holding Claims within the same class as provided for in the Plan) adverse effect on any of the Company Claims held by a Consenting Stakeholder, or (y) changes the economic treatment otherwise provided to any Consenting Stakeholders; provided, however, that if the modification, amendment, waiver, or supplement described in clause (y) above solely affects a Consenting Noteholder in a manner that is proportionate with respect to each of the Consenting Noteholders, only the consent of the Required Supermajority Consenting Noteholders shall be required to effectuate such modification, amendment, waiver, or supplement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, for the avoidance of doubt, no amendment, modification, waiver, or supplement of this Section 13 shall be effective without the consent of each Party hereto.
(b) Any proposed modification, amendment, waiver, or supplement that does not comply with this Section 13 shall be ineffective and void ab initio as to any non-consenting Party affected thereby.
(c) The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any such right, power or remedy or any provision of this Agreement, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by a Party preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or remedy or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy by such Party. All remedies under this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies provided by Law.
(d) Any consent or waiver contemplated in this Agreement may be provided by electronic mail from counsel to the relevant Parties.
(e) Notwithstanding Section 13(a) of this Agreement, any modification, amendment, or change to the definition of “Required Consenting Noteholders” shall require the consent of each Consenting Noteholder holding Notes Claims that is a Consenting Noteholder as of the date of such modification, amendment, or change.
(f) Notwithstanding Section 13(a) of this Agreement, any modification, amendment, or change to the definition of “Required Consenting RBL Lenders” shall require the consent of each Consenting RBL Lender holding RBL Claims that is a Consenting RBL Lender as of the date of such modification, amendment, or change.
33
Section 14. Transaction Expenses.
14.01 The Company Parties shall pay and reimburse all prepetition and postpetition fees and expenses of the Consenting Stakeholder Professionals (the “Transaction Expenses”) and, unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and the applicable firm, the Company shall (i) pay, as a precondition to effectiveness of this Agreement, the Transaction Expenses accrued by the Consenting Noteholder Professionals as of the Agreement Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.01(c); (ii) fund or replenish, as the case may be, any retainers requested by any of the Consenting Noteholder Professionals, including pursuant to Section 2.01(d) of this Agreement; (iii) after the Agreement Effective Date has occurred, pay all accrued and unpaid Transaction Expenses on a monthly basis and within seven (7) Business Days of receipt of invoices in respect thereof; and (iv) on the Plan Effective Date, pay all accrued and unpaid Transaction Expenses incurred up to (and including) the Plan Effective Date by the Consenting Stakeholder Professionals without any requirement for Bankruptcy Court review or further Bankruptcy Court order; provided, however, that the Interim DIP Order shall provide for the payment of all Transaction Expenses pursuant to this Section 14.01; provided, further, that once the Company Parties have obtained a final order of the Bankruptcy Court approving the payment of the Transaction Expenses of the Consenting Noteholder Professionals in the ordinary course, Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP shall deduct its Transaction Expenses from the Noteholder Counsel Retainer (and not require the Company Parties to pay such amounts in cash) until such time as the Noteholder Counsel Retainer is reduced to an amount that is at or below $2 million.
Section 15. Miscellaneous.
15.01 Acknowledgement. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, this Agreement is not and shall not be deemed to be an offer with respect to any securities or solicitation of votes for the acceptance of a plan of reorganization for purposes of sections 1125 and 1126 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise. Any such offer or solicitation will be made only in compliance with all applicable securities Laws, provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, and/or other applicable Law.
15.02 Exhibits Incorporated by Reference; Conflicts. Each of the exhibits, annexes, signatures pages, and schedules attached hereto is expressly incorporated herein and made a part of this Agreement, and all references to this Agreement shall include such exhibits, annexes, and schedules. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement (without reference to the exhibits, annexes, and schedules hereto) and the exhibits, annexes, and schedules hereto, this Agreement (without reference to the exhibits, annexes, and schedules thereto) shall govern.
15.03 Further Assurances. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement, during the Agreement Effective Period, the Parties agree to execute and deliver such other instruments and perform such acts, in addition to the matters herein specified, as may be reasonably appropriate or necessary, or as may be required by order of the Bankruptcy Court, from time to time, to effectuate the Restructuring Transactions in accordance with the Definitive Documents, as applicable.
15.04 Complete Agreement. Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, oral or written, among the Parties with respect thereto, other than any Confidentiality Agreement.
34
15.05 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; SELECTION OF FORUM. THIS AGREEMENT IS TO BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. Each Party hereto agrees that it shall bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement, to the extent possible, in the Bankruptcy Court, and solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement: (a) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court; (b) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court; and (c) waives any objection that the Bankruptcy Court is an inconvenient forum or does not have jurisdiction over any Party hereto.
15.06 Trial by Jury Waiver. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
15.07 Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in any number of counterparts and by way of electronic signature and delivery, each such counterpart, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same agreement. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, each individual executing this Agreement on behalf of a Party has been duly authorized and empowered to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of said Party.
15.08 Rules of Construction. This Agreement is the product of negotiations among the Company Parties and the Consenting Stakeholders, and in the enforcement or interpretation hereof, is to be interpreted in a neutral manner, and any presumption with regard to interpretation for or against any Party by reason of that Party having drafted or caused to be drafted this Agreement, or any portion hereof, shall not be effective in regard to the interpretation hereof. The Company Parties and the Consenting Stakeholders were each represented by counsel during the negotiations and drafting of this Agreement and continue to be represented by counsel.
15.09 Successors and Assigns; Third Parties. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, as applicable. There are no third party beneficiaries under this Agreement, and the rights or obligations of any Party under this Agreement may not be assigned, delegated, or transferred to any other Person or Entity.
35
15.10 Notices. All notices hereunder shall be deemed given if in writing and delivered, by electronic mail, courier, or registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), to the following Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to a Company Party, to:
Gulfport
Energy Corporation
00000 X. Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
E-mail address: xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
with copies to:
Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, X.X. xxx Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, X.X.
E-mail address: xxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx and
xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
and
Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
E-mail address: xxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
(b) if to the RBL Agent or DIP Agent, to:
The Bank of Nova Scotia
000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xx. Xxxx Xxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Electronic Mail: xxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
with copies to:
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 1002
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, and Xxxx Xxxxxxx
E-mail address: xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xx.xxx and xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xx.xxx and
xxxx.xxxxxxx@xx.xxx
36
(c) if to a Consenting RBL Lender or a transferee thereof, to the addresses, facsimile numbers, or e-mail addresses set forth below such Consenting RBL Lender’s signature hereto (or as directed by any transferee thereof), as the case may be, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, and Xxxx Xxxxxxx
E-mail address: xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xx.xxx and xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xx.xxx and xxxx.xxxxxxx@xx.xxx
(d) if to a Consenting Noteholder or a transferee thereof, to the addresses, facsimile numbers, or e-mail addresses set forth below such Consenting Noteholder’s signature hereto (or as directed by any transferee thereof), as the case may be, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxx,
Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
E-mail address: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx and xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Any notice given by delivery, mail, or courier shall be effective when received.
15.11 Independent Due Diligence and Decision Making. Each Consenting Stakeholder hereby confirms that its decision to execute this Agreement has been based upon its independent investigation of the operations, businesses, financial and other conditions, and prospects of the Company Parties.
15.12 Enforceability of Agreement. Each of the Parties hereby acknowledges and agrees: (i) that the provisions of any notice or exercise of termination rights under this Agreement is not prohibited by the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) each Party waives any right to assert that the exercise of notice or termination rights under this Agreement is subject to the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, and expressly stipulates and consents hereunder to the prospective modification of the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code for purposes of exercising notice and termination rights under this Agreement, to the extent the Bankruptcy Court determines that such relief is required, and (iii) that they shall not take a position to the contrary of this Section 15.12 in the Bankruptcy Court or any other court of competent jurisdiction and (iv) they will not initiate, or assert in, any litigation or other legal proceeding that this Section 15.12 is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, in whole or in part. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, following the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases and unless and until there is an unstayed order of the Bankruptcy Court providing that the giving of notice under and/or termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms is not prohibited by the automatic stay imposed by section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the occurrence of any of the termination events in Sections 12.01, 12.03, and 12.04 shall result in automatic termination of this Agreement, to the extent any terminating Consenting Stakeholder would otherwise have the ability to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Sections 12.01, 12.03, and 12.04, five (5) calendar days following such occurrence unless waived in writing by all of the terminating Consenting Stakeholders.
37
15.13 Waiver. If the Restructuring Transactions are not consummated, or if this Agreement is terminated for any reason, the Parties fully reserve any and all of their rights. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 408 and any other applicable rules of evidence, this Agreement and all negotiations relating hereto shall not be admissible into evidence in any proceeding other than a proceeding to enforce its terms or the payment of damages to which a Party may be entitled under this Agreement.
15.14 Specific Performance. It is understood and agreed by the Parties that money damages would be an insufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement by any Party, and each non-breaching Party shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief (without the posting of any bond and without proof of actual damages) as a remedy of any such breach, including an order of the Bankruptcy Court or other court of competent jurisdiction requiring any Party to comply promptly with any of its obligations hereunder.
15.15 Relationship Among Parties. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the agreements, representations, warranties, and obligations of the Consenting Stakeholders under this Agreement are, in all respects, several and not joint. No Party shall have any responsibility by virtue of this Agreement for any trading by any other Entity or person. No prior history, pattern, or practice of sharing confidences among or between the Parties shall in any way affect or negate this Agreement. The Parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement does not constitute an agreement, arrangement, or understanding with respect to acting together for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of any equity securities of the Company Parties and the Consenting Stakeholders do not constitute a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. No action taken by any Consenting Stakeholder pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute or to create a presumption by any of the Parties that any of the Consenting Stakeholders are in any way acting in concert or as such a “group.”
15.16 Severability and Construction. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect if essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for each Party remain valid, binding, and enforceable.
15.17 Remedies Cumulative. All rights, powers, and remedies provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at Law or in equity shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise of any right, power, or remedy thereof by any Party shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise of any other such right, power, or remedy by such Party.
15.18 Capacities of Consenting Stakeholders. Each Consenting Stakeholder has entered into this Agreement on account of all Company Claims that it holds (directly or through discretionary accounts that it manages or advises) and, except where otherwise specified in this Agreement, shall take or refrain from taking all actions that it is obligated to take or refrain from taking under this Agreement with respect to all such Company Claims.
38
15.19 Email Consents. Where a written consent, acceptance, approval, or waiver is required pursuant to or contemplated by this Agreement, pursuant to Section 3.02, Section 13, or otherwise, including a written approval by the Required Parties, such written consent, acceptance, approval, or waiver shall be deemed to have occurred if, by agreement between counsel to the Parties submitting and receiving such consent, acceptance, approval, or waiver, it is conveyed in writing (including electronic mail) between each such counsel without representations or warranties of any kind on behalf of such counsel.
15.20 Survival. Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12 hereof, the terms, provisions, agreements and obligations of the Parties in Section 1.02, Section 6, Section 12, Section 13, and Section 14 (other than Section 15.03), and any defined terms used in any of the forgoing Sections (solely to the extent used therein), shall survive such termination and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the terms hereof.
15.21 No Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against the named parties hereto (and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such parties in this Agreement). All claims or causes of action (whether in contract, tort, equity, or any other theory) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution, or performance of this Agreement, may be made only against the Persons that are expressly identified as parties hereto (and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such parties herein). No past, present or future direct or indirect director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, equity holder, trustee, affiliate, controlling person, agent, attorney, or other representative of any party hereto (including any person negotiating or executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto), nor any past, present, or future direct or indirect director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, equity holder, trustee, affiliate, controlling person, agent, attorney or other representative of any of the foregoing (other than any of the foregoing that is a party hereto) (any such Person, a “No Recourse Party”), shall have any liability with respect to this Agreement or with respect to any proceeding (whether in contract, tort, equity or any other theory that seeks to “xxxxxx the corporate veil” or impose liability of an entity against its owners or affiliates or otherwise) that may arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement.
15.22 Holdings Information. Except as required by applicable law, no Party or its advisors shall disclose to any person or entity (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any other Consenting Stakeholder), other than advisors to the Company Parties, the principal amount or percentage of Notes held by the applicable Consenting Stakeholder without such Consenting Stakeholder’s prior written consent; provided that (a) if such disclosure is required by law, subpoena or other legal process or regulation, the disclosing Party shall afford the relevant Consenting Noteholder a reasonable opportunity to review and comment before such disclosure and shall take all reasonable measures to limit such disclosure, (b) the foregoing shall not prohibit the disclosure of the aggregate percentage or aggregate principal amount of Notes and RBL Claims held by all Consenting Stakeholders collectively and (c) any Party may disclose information requested by a U.S. federal or state regulatory authority with jurisdiction over its operations to such authority without limitation or notice to any Party or other person or entity. Any public filing or other disclosure of this Agreement which includes executed signature pages to this Agreement shall include such signature pages only in redacted form with respect to the holdings of each Consenting Stakeholder.
15.23 Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall not issue any press releases, public documents, or filings with the SEC, the Bankruptcy Court, or otherwise that constitute disclosure of the existence or terms of this Agreement or any amendment to the terms of this Agreement unless pre-approved by the Required Consenting Stakeholders.
[Signature Pages Follow.]
39
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
Signature Page to Restructuring Support Agreement
Company
Parties’ Signature Page to
the Restructuring Support Agreement
GULFPORT ENERGY CORPORATION
GATOR MARINE, INC.
GATOR MARINE IVANHOE, INC.
GRIZZLY HOLDINGS, INC.
GULFPORT APPALACHIA, LLC
GULFPORT MIDCON, LLC
GULFPORT MIDSTREAM HOLDINGS, LLC
JAGUAR RESOURCES LLC
MULE SKY LLC
PUMA RESOURCES, INC.
WESTHAWK MINERALS LLC
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Consenting
Stakeholder Signature Page to
the Restructuring Support Agreement
CONSENTING STAKEHOLDER
Name:
Title:
Address:
E-mail address(es):
Aggregate Amounts Beneficially Owned or Managed on Account of: | |
2023 Notes | |
2024 Notes | |
2025 Notes | |
2026 Notes | |
RBL Loans | |
Interests |
Signature Page to Restructuring Support Agreement
[SIGNATURE PAGES OMITTED]
EXHIBIT A
Company
Parties
Exhibit A to Restructuring Support Agreement
Company Parties
Gulfport Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation
Gator Marine, Inc., a Delaware corporation
Gator Marine Ivanhoe, Inc., a Delaware corporation
Grizzly Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
Gulfport Appalachia, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
Gulfport Midcon, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
Gulfport Midstream Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
Jaguar Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
Mule Sky LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
Puma Resources, Inc., a Delaware limited liability company
Westhawk Minerals LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
Exhibit A to Restructuring Support Agreement
EXHIBIT B
Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization
Exhibit B to Restructuring Support Agreement
THIS PLAN IS BEING SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL BUT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OF ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF THE PLAN. ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION MAY NOT BE SOLICITED UNTIL A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT. THE INFORMATION IN THE PLAN IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THIS PLAN IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES. |
IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
) | ||
In re: | ) | Chapter 11 |
) | ||
Gulfport Energy Corporation, et al.,1 | ) | Case No. 20-[____] ([●]) |
) | ||
Debtors. | ) | (Joint Administration Requested) |
) |
XXXXXXX XXXXXX L.L.P. | XXXXXXXX & XXXXX LLP | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx (TX Bar No. 24062656) | XXXXXXXX & XXXXX INTERNATIONAL LLP | |||
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (TX Bar No. 24079148) | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, P.C. | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (TX Bar No. 24093659) | Xxxxxx X. Serajeddini, P.C. (pro hac vice pending) | |||
0000 XxXxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 | Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | |||
Telephone: | (000) 000-0000 | Telephone: | (000) 000-0000 | |
Facsimile: | (000) 000-0000 | Facsimile: | (000) 000-0000 | |
Email: | xxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxx | Email: | xxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx | |
xxxxxxxx@xx.xxx | xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx | |||
xxxxxxx@xx.xxx | ||||
-and- | ||||
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (pro hac vice pending) | ||||
000 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||||
Telephone | (000) 000-0000 | |||
Facsimile: | (000) 000-0000 | |||
Email: | xxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx | |||
Dated: [_____], 2020 | ||||
Proposed Co-Counsel to the Debtors | ||||
and Debtors in Possession |
1 | The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases, along with the last four digits of each Debtor’s federal tax identification number, are: Gulfport Energy Corporation (1290); Gator Marine, Inc. (1710); Gator Marine Ivanhoe, Inc. (4897); Grizzly Holdings, Inc. (9108); Gulfport Appalachia, LLC (1290); Gulfport MidCon, LLC (1290); Gulfport Midstream Holdings, LLC (1290); Jaguar Resources LLC (1290); Mule Sky LLC (6808); Puma Resources, Inc. (6507); and Westhawk Minerals LLC (1290). The location of the Debtors’ service address is: 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article I. DEFINED TERMS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION, COMPUTATION OF TIME, and governing law | 1 | |
A. | Defined Terms. | 1 |
B. | Rules of Interpretation. | 17 |
C. | Computation of Time. | 17 |
D. | Governing Law. | 17 |
E. | Reference to Monetary Figures. | 17 |
F. | Reference to the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors. | 17 |
G. | Controlling Document. | 18 |
H. | Consultation, Information, Notice, and Consent Rights. | 18 |
Article II. ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS, DIP CLAIMS, PRIORITY CLAIMS, and Restructuring Expenses | 18 | |
A. | Administrative Claims. | 18 |
B. | DIP Claims. | 19 |
C. | Professional Fee Claims. | 19 |
D. | Priority Tax Claims. | 20 |
E. | Payment of Statutory Fees. | 20 |
F. | Transaction Expenses. | 21 |
Article III. CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENt oF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS | 21 | |
A. | Classification of Claims and Interests. | 21 |
B. | Treatment of Claims and Interests. | 22 |
C. | Special Provision Governing Unimpaired Claims. | 26 |
D. | Elimination of Vacant Classes. | 26 |
E. | Voting Classes, Presumed Acceptance by Non-Voting Classes. | 26 |
F. | Intercompany Interests. | 26 |
G. | Confirmation Pursuant to Sections 1129(a)(10) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. | 26 |
H. | Controversy Concerning Impairment. | 26 |
I. | Subordinated Claims and Interests. | 27 |
Article IV. MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN | 27 | |
A. | General Settlement of Claims and Interests. | 27 |
B. | Restructuring Transactions. | 27 |
C. | Reorganized Debtors. | 28 |
D. | Sources of Consideration for Plan Distributions. | 28 |
E. | Exemption from Registration Requirements. | 30 |
F. | Corporate Existence. | 31 |
G. | Vesting of Assets in the Reorganized Debtors. | 32 |
H. | Cancellation of Existing Securities and Agreements. | 32 |
I. | Corporate Action. | 33 |
J. | New Organizational Documents. | 33 |
K. | Indemnification Obligations. | 34 |
L. | Managers and Officers of the Reorganized Debtors. | 34 |
M. | Effectuating Documents; Further Transactions. | 34 |
N. | Section 1146 Exemption. | 34 |
O. | Director and Officer Liability Insurance. | 35 |
P. | Management Incentive Plan. | 35 |
Q. | Employee and Retiree Benefits. | 36 |
R. | Preservation of Causes of Action. | 36 |
i
Article V. TREATMENT OF EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES | 37 | |
A. | Assumption and Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases. | 37 |
B. | Claims Based on Rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases. | 38 |
C. | Cure of Defaults for Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases. | 38 |
D. | Preexisting Obligations to the Debtors under Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases. | 39 |
E. | Insurance Policies. | 39 |
F. | Reservation of Rights. | 40 |
G. | Nonoccurrence of Effective Date. | 40 |
H. | Employee Compensation and Benefits. | 40 |
I. | Contracts and Leases Entered into after the Petition Date. | 41 |
J. | Royalty and Working Interests. | 41 |
Article VI. PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISTRIBUTIONS | 41 | |
A. | Distributions on Account of Claims Allowed as of the Effective Date. | 41 |
B. | Disbursing Agent. | 41 |
C. | Rights and Powers of Disbursing Agent. | 42 |
D. | Delivery of Distributions and Undeliverable or Unclaimed Distributions. | 42 |
E. | Manner of Payment. | 44 |
F. | Indefeasible Distributions. | 44 |
G. | Section 1145 Exemption. | 44 |
H. | Compliance with Tax Requirements. | 44 |
I. | Allocations. | 45 |
J. | No Postpetition Interest on Claims. | 45 |
K. | Foreign Currency Exchange Rate. | 45 |
L. | Setoffs and Recoupment. | 45 |
M. | Claims Paid or Payable by Third Parties. | 45 |
Article VII. PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING CONTINGENT, UNLIQUIDATED, AND DISPUTED CLAIMS | 46 | |
A. | Allowance of Claims. | 46 |
B. | Claims Administration Responsibilities. | 46 |
C. | Estimation of Claims. | 47 |
D. | Disputed Claims Reserve. | 47 |
E. | Adjustment to Claims or Interests without Objection. | 47 |
F. | Time to File Objections to Claims. | 48 |
G. | Disallowance of Claims or Interests. | 48 |
H. | Amendments to Claims. | 48 |
I. | No Distributions Pending Allowance. | 48 |
J. | Distributions After Allowance. | 48 |
K. | Single Satisfaction of Claims. | 48 |
Article VIII. SETTLEMENT, RELEASE, INJUNCTION, AND RELATED PROVISIONS | 49 | |
A. | Discharge of Claims and Termination of Interests. | 49 |
B. | Release of Liens. | 49 |
C. | Releases by the Debtors. | 50 |
D. | Releases by the Releasing Parties. | 51 |
E. | Exculpation. | 52 |
F. | Injunction. | 53 |
G. | Protections Against Discriminatory Treatment. | 53 |
H. | Document Retention. | 53 |
I. | Reimbursement or Contribution. | 53 |
Article IX. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CONSUMMATION OF THIS PLAN | 54 | |
A. | Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date. | 54 |
B. | Waiver of Conditions. | 55 |
C. | Effect of Failure of Conditions. | 55 |
D. | Substantial Consummation | 55 |
ii
Article X. EFFECT OF CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN | 56 | |
A. | Jurisdiction and Venue. | 56 |
B. | Order Approving the Disclosure Statement | 56 |
C. | Voting Report. | 56 |
D. | Judicial Notice. | 56 |
E. | Transmittal and Mailing of Materials; Notice. | 57 |
F. | Solicitation. | 57 |
X. | Xxxxxx of Proof. | 57 |
H. | Bankruptcy Rule 3016(a) Compliance. | 57 |
I. | Compliance with the Requirements of Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code. | 57 |
J. | Securities Under the Plan. | 62 |
K. | Releases and Discharges. | 62 |
L. | Release and Retention of Causes of Action. | 63 |
M. | Approval of Restructuring Support Agreement, Backstop Commitment Agreement, and Other Restructuring Documents and Agreements. | 63 |
N. | Confirmation Hearing Exhibits. | 63 |
O. | Objections to Confirmation of the Plan. | 63 |
P. | Retention of Jurisdiction. | 63 |
Q. | Plan Supplement. | 63 |
Article XI. MODIFICATION, REVOCATION, OR WITHDRAWAL OF THIS PLAN | 64 | |
A. | Modification and Amendments. | 64 |
B. | Effect of Confirmation on Modifications. | 64 |
C. | Revocation or Withdrawal of Plan. | 64 |
Article XII. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION | 64 | |
Article XIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 66 | |
A. | Immediate Binding Effect. | 66 |
B. | Additional Documents. | 66 |
C. | Statutory Committee and Cessation of Fee and Expense Payment. | 67 |
D. | Reservation of Rights. | 67 |
E. | Successors and Assigns. | 67 |
F. | Notices. | 68 |
G. | Term of Injunctions or Stays. | 69 |
H. | Entire Agreement. | 69 |
I. | Plan Supplement. | 69 |
J. | Nonseverability of Plan Provisions. | 70 |
K. | Votes Solicited in Good Faith. | 70 |
L. | Closing of Chapter 11 Cases. | 70 |
M. | Waiver or Estoppel. | 70 |
iii
INTRODUCTION
Gulfport Energy Corporation and the other above-captioned debtors and debtors in possession (collectively, the “Debtors”) propose this joint chapter 11 plan of reorganization (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Plan”) for the resolution of the outstanding Claims against, and Interests in, the Debtors. Although proposed jointly for administrative purposes, the Plan constitutes a separate Plan for each Debtor. Holders of Claims or Interests may refer to the Disclosure Statement for a discussion of the Debtors’ history, businesses, assets, results of operations, historical financial information, risk factors, a summary and analysis of the Plan, the Restructuring Transactions, and certain related matters. The Debtors are the proponents of the Plan within the meaning of section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Reference is made to the accompanying Disclosure Statement for the Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of Gulfport Energy Corporation and its Debtor Affiliates for a discussion on the Debtors’ history, business, properties and operations, valuation, projections, risk factors, a summary and analysis of the Plan and the transactions contemplated thereby, and certain related matters.
ALL HOLDERS OF CLAIMS AGAINST AND INTERESTS IN THE DEBTORS, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THIS PLAN AND THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE VOTING TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THIS PLAN.
Article
I.
DEFINED TERMS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION,
COMPUTATION OF TIME, and governing law
A. Defined Terms.
As used in the Plan, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below.
1. “2023 Notes” means the 6.625% senior notes due 2023, issued by Gulfport Parent pursuant to the 2023 Notes Indenture.
2. “2023 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of April 21, 2015, by and among Gulfport Parent, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
3. “2024 Notes” means the 6.000% senior notes due 2024, issued by Gulfport Parent pursuant to the 2024 Notes Indenture.
4. “2024 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of October 14, 2016, by and among Gulfport Parent, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
5. “2025 Notes” means the 6.375% senior notes due 2025, issued by Gulfport Parent pursuant to the 2025 Notes Indenture.
6. “2025 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of December 21, 2016, by and among Gulfport Parent, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
7. “2026 Notes” means the 6.375% senior notes due 2026, issued by Gulfport Parent pursuant to the 2026 Notes Indenture.
1
8. “2026 Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of October 11, 2017, by and among Gulfport Parent, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
9. “Ad Hoc Noteholder Group” means that certain ad hoc group of unaffiliated Holders of Notes Claims represented by Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP and Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Inc.
10. “Administrative Claim” means a Claim against any of the Debtors arising on or after the Petition Date and before the Effective Date for a cost or expense of administration of the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to sections 503(b), 507(a)(2), 507(b), or 1114(e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, including: (a) the actual and necessary costs and expenses of preserving the Estates and operating the businesses of the Debtors incurred on or after the Petition Date and through the Effective Date; (b) the Allowed Professional Fee Claims; (c) all fees and charges assessed against the Estates under chapter 123 of the Judicial Code; (d) the Transaction Expenses; and (e) the Backstop Commitment Premium.
11. “Administrative Claims Bar Date” means the deadline for Filing requests for payment of Administrative Claims, which shall be (a) 30 days after the Effective Date for Administrative Claims other than Professional Fee Claims and (b) 45 days after the Effective Date for Professional Fee Claims.
12. “Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in section 101(2) of the Bankruptcy Code. With respect to any Entity that is not a Debtor, the term “Affiliate” shall apply to such Entity as if the Entity were a Debtor.
13. “Agents” means, collectively, the DIP Agent, the RBL Agent, and the Exit Facility Agents.
14. “Allowed” means, with respect to a Claim or Interest, any Claim or Interest (or portion thereof) against any Debtor that (a) is not Disputed within the applicable period of time, if any, fixed by the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules, or the Bankruptcy Court, (b) is allowed, compromised, settled, or otherwise resolved pursuant to the terms of the Plan, in any stipulation that is approved by a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court, or pursuant to any contract, instrument, indenture, or other agreement entered into or assumed in connection herewith, or (c) has been allowed by a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court. For the avoidance of doubt, any Claim or Interest (or portion thereof), that has been disallowed pursuant to a Final Order shall not be an “Allowed” Claim.
15. “Avoidance Actions” means any and all actual or potential avoidance, recovery, subordination, or other Claims and Causes of Action, or remedies that may be brought by or on behalf of the Debtors or their Estates or other authorized parties in interest under the Bankruptcy Code or applicable non-bankruptcy law, including Claims, Causes of Action, or remedies arising under chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code or under similar or related local, state, federal, or foreign statutes or common law, including fraudulent transfer laws.
16. “Backstop Approval Motion” means the motion Filed by the Debtors seeking entry of the Backstop Approval Order.
17. “Backstop Approval Order” means the order of the Bankruptcy Court setting forth the terms of the commitment by the Backstop Commitment Parties to backstop the Rights Offering.
18. “Backstop Commitment Agreement” means that certain backstop commitment agreement, entered into and dated as of [●] (as may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time), which is attached to the Restructuring Support Agreement as Exhibit D, pursuant to which the Backstop Commitment Parties have agreed to backstop the Rights Offering.
2
19. “Backstop Commitment Parties” means at any time and from time to time, the parties that have committed to backstop the Rights Offering and are signatories to the Backstop Commitment Agreement.
20. “Backstop Commitment Premium” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Backstop Commitment Agreement.
21. “Bankruptcy Code” means title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532, as amended from time to time.
22. “Bankruptcy Court” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division presiding over the Chapter 11 Cases, or any other court having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases, including, to the extent of the withdrawal of reference under 28 U.S.C. § 157 and/or the General Order of the District Court pursuant to section 151 of the Judicial Code, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
23. “Bankruptcy Rules” means the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure promulgated under section 2075 of the Judicial Code and the general, local, and xxxxxxxx rules of the Bankruptcy Court, each, as amended from time to time.
24. “Bar Date Order” means the Order (I) Setting Bar Dates for Filing Proofs of Claim, Including Requests for Payment Under Section 503(b)(9), (II) Establishing Amended Schedules Bar Date and Rejection Damages Bar Date, (III) Approving the Form of and Manner for Filing Proofs of Claim, Including Section 503(b)(9) Requests, (IV) Approving Notice of Bar Dates, and (V) Granting Related Relief [Docket No. [●]] (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof).
25. “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or “legal holiday” (as defined in Bankruptcy Rule 9006(a)), or other day on which commercial banks in the State of Texas or the State of New York are closed for business as a result of federal, state, or local holiday.
26. “Cash” means cash in legal tender of the United States of America and cash equivalents, including bank deposits, checks, and other similar items.
27. “Cause of Action” means any and all claims, interests, controversies, actions, proceedings, reimbursement claims, contribution claims, recoupment rights, debts, third-party claims, indemnity claims, damages, remedies, causes of action, demands, rights, suits, obligations, liabilities, accounts, judgments, defenses, offsets, powers, privileges, licenses, franchises, Avoidance Actions, counterclaims and cross-claims, of any kind or character whatsoever, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, existing or hereinafter arising, contingent or non-contingent, matured or unmatured, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated, disputed or undisputed, asserted or unasserted, direct or indirect, assertable directly or derivatively, xxxxxx or inchoate, reduced to judgment or otherwise, secured or unsecured, whether arising before, on, or after the Petition Date, in tort, law, equity, or otherwise pursuant to any theory of law. Causes of Action also include: (a) all rights of setoff, counterclaim, or recoupment and claims under contracts or for breaches of duties imposed by law or in equity; (b) the right to object to or otherwise contest Claims or Interests; and (c) such claims and defenses as fraud, mistake, duress, and usury and any other defenses set forth in section 558 of the Bankruptcy Code.
3
28. “Chapter 11 Cases” means (a) when used with reference to a particular Debtor, the case pending for that Debtor under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court and (b) when used with reference to all the Debtors, the procedurally consolidated and jointly administered chapter 11 cases pending for the Debtors in the Bankruptcy Court.
29. “Claim” means any claim, as defined in section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code, against any of the Debtors.
30. “Claims Bar Date” means the applicable deadline by which Proofs of Claim must be Filed, as established by (a) the Bar Date Order, (b) a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court, or (c) the Plan.
31. “Claims Register” means the official register of Claims maintained by the Solicitation Agent or the clerk of the Bankruptcy Court.
32. “Class” means a class of Claims or Interests as set forth in Article III of the Plan pursuant to section 1122(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.
33. “CM/ECF” means the Bankruptcy Court’s Case Management and Electronic Case Filing system.
34. “Compensation and Benefits Programs” means all employment and severance agreements and policies, and all employment, wages, compensation, and benefit plans and policies, workers’ compensation programs, savings plans, retirement plans, deferred compensation plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, healthcare plans, disability plans, severance benefit plans, incentive and retention plans, programs, and payments, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans and programs of the Debtors, and all amendments and modifications thereto, applicable to the Debtors’ employees, former employees, retirees, and non-employee directors and managers, in each case existing with the Debtors as of immediately prior to the Effective Date.
35. “Confirmation” means the Bankruptcy Court’s entry of the Confirmation Order on the docket of the Chapter 11 Cases.
36. “Confirmation Date” means the date upon which the Bankruptcy Court enters the Confirmation Order on the docket of the Chapter 11 Cases within the meaning of Bankruptcy Rules 5003 and 9021.
37. “Confirmation Hearing” means the hearing to be held by the Bankruptcy Court to consider Confirmation of the Plan, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 3020(b)(2) and sections 1128 and 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, as such hearing may be continued from time to time.
38. “Confirmation Order” means the order of the Bankruptcy Court confirming the Plan pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
39. “Consenting Noteholders” has the meaning set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
40. “Consenting RBL Lenders” has the meaning set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
41. “Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights” means, with respect to each Definitive Document, the applicable consent, approval, and/or consultation right with respect to such Definitive Document as set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
4
42. “Consenting Stakeholders” has the meaning set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
43. “Consummation” means the occurrence of the Effective Date.
44. “Cure” means all amounts, including an amount of $0.00, required to cure any monetary defaults under any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease (or such lesser amount as may be agreed upon by the parties under an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease) that is to be assumed by the Debtors pursuant to sections 365 or 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code.
45. “D&O Liability Insurance Policies” means all insurance policies (including any “tail policy”) covering any of the Debtors’ current or former directors’, managers’, officers’, and/or employees’ liability and all agreements, documents, or instruments relating thereto.
46. “Debtors” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
47. “Definitive Documents” has the meaning set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement. Each Definitive Document shall be consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and otherwise subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
48. “DIP Agent” means the Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the DIP Credit Agreement, its successors, assigns, or any replacement agent appointed pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement.
49. “DIP Claim” means a Claim held by the DIP Lenders or the DIP Agent arising under or relating to the DIP Credit Agreement or the DIP Order, including any and all fees, interests paid in kind, and accrued but unpaid interest and fees arising under the DIP Credit Agreement, but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding the First Lien Adequate Protection Claims.
50. “DIP Credit Agreement” means that certain debtor-in-possession credit agreement that governs the DIP Facility (as may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time), dated as of November [__], 2020, by and among Gulfport Parent, as borrower, certain Debtor guarantors, the DIP Lenders, and the DIP Agent.
51. “DIP Facility” means the $262.5 million debtor-in-possession credit facility to be provided to the Debtors on the terms and conditions of the DIP Credit Agreement and the DIP Orders and that shall be consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
52. “DIP Lenders” means the lenders party to the DIP Credit Agreement.
53. “DIP Loan Documents” means the DIP Credit Agreement and all other Loan Documents (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement).
54. “DIP Orders” means the interim order approving the DIP Facility [Docket No. [__]] and the final order approving the DIP Facility [Docket No [__]], to be Filed and approved by the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 Cases in accordance with the DIP Credit Agreement and the Restructuring Support Agreement.
55. “Disbursing Agent” means, as applicable, the Entity or Entities selected by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, with the consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders, to make or facilitate distributions pursuant to the Plan.
5
56. “Disclosure Statement” means the disclosure statement for the Plan, including all exhibits and schedules thereto, in each case, as may be amended, supplemented, or modified from time to time, that is prepared and distributed in accordance with the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules, and any other applicable law, to be approved pursuant to the Disclosure Statement Order.
57. “Disclosure Statement Order” means the order (and all exhibits thereto), entered by the Bankruptcy Court approving the Disclosure Statement and the Solicitation Materials, and allowing solicitation of the Plan to commence, entered on [●], 2020 [Docket No. [●]] (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof).
58. “Disputed” means, as to a Claim or an Interest, any Claim or Interest (or portion thereof): (a) that is not Allowed; (b) that is not disallowed by the Plan, the Bankruptcy Code, or a Final Order, as applicable; and (c) with respect to which a party in interest has Filed a Proof of Claim or otherwise made a written request to a Debtor for payment, without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
59. “Distribution Date” means, except as otherwise set forth herein and except as to distributions to Holders of public Securities (including Notes deposited with DTC and Existing Common Stock) the date or dates determined by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, on or after the Effective Date, with the first such date occurring on or as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, upon which the Disbursing Agent shall make distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims entitled to receive distributions under the Plan.
60. “Distribution Record Date” means, other than with respect to Holders of public Securities (including Notes deposited with DTC and Existing Common Stock) the record date for purposes of determining which Holders of Allowed Claims against or Allowed Interests in the Debtors are eligible to receive distributions under the Plan, which date shall be the Confirmation Date, or such other date as is announced by the Debtors or designated in a Final Order. The Distribution Record Date shall not apply to any public Securities (including Notes deposited with DTC and Existing Common Stock) the Holders of which shall receive a distribution in accordance with the customary procedures of DTC.
61. “DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
62. “Effective Date” means the date on which (a) all conditions precedent to the occurrence of the Effective Date set forth in Article IX.A of the Plan have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Article IX.B of the Plan and (b) the Plan is declared effective by the Debtors.
63. “Entity” has the meaning set forth in section 101(15) of the Bankruptcy Code.
64. “Estate” means as to each Debtor, the estate created for such Debtor in its Chapter 11 Case pursuant to section 541 of the Bankruptcy Code upon the commencement of such Debtor’s Chapter 11 Case.
65. “Exculpated Parties” means collectively, and in each case in its capacity as such: (a) the Debtors; (b) the Reorganized Debtors; (c) any official committees appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases and each of their respective members; (d) the Ad Hoc Noteholder Group and each of its members; (e) the Consenting Stakeholders; (f) the Agents; (g) the Notes Trustee; (h) the DIP Lenders; (i) the Lender Swap Counterparties; (j) the Backstop Commitment Parties; (k) the Exit Facility Secured Parties; and (l) each Related Party of each Entity in clauses (a) through (k); provided that no current or former Holder of Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent, each in their capacity as such, is an Exculpated Party unless such Holder is also a (y) current director, officer, or employee of a Debtor or an Affiliate of a Debtor; or (z) a Consenting Stakeholder.
6
66. “Executory Contract” means a contract to which one or more of the Debtors is a party and that is subject to assumption or rejection under section 365 or 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code.
67. “Existing Common Stock” means existing common stock of Gulfport Parent.
68. “Existing Interests” means any Interest in Gulfport Parent.
69. “Exit Collateral Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia (or its designee), in its capacity as a collateral agent under and pursuant to the terms of the Exit Facility Documentation.
70. “Exit Facility” means, collectively, the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility and the Exit Term Loan B Facility.
71. “Exit Facility Agent” means, collectively, the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Agent, the Exit Term Loan B Facility Agent, and the Exit Collateral Agent.
72. “Exit Facility Collateral” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term “Collateral” and any similar term in the Exit Facility Documentation, as applicable, which shall, from and after the Effective Date secure the Exit Facility pursuant to the Exit Facility Documentation on a first-priority basis.
73. “Exit Facility Documentation” means the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Documentation, the Exit Term Loan B Facility Documentation, and the applicable collateral agency agreements, collateral documents, mortgages, deeds of trust, Uniform Commercial Code statements, and other loan documents governing the Exit Facility, the material documents of which shall be included in the Plan Supplement, and which shall be consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
74. “Exit Facility Loan Agreements” means those certain loan agreements memorializing the Exit Facility, which shall be entered into among one or more of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors (as applicable), certain affiliates thereof that are obligors under the Exit Facility, certain Exit Facility Agents, and the lenders thereunder.
75. “Exit Facility Secured Parties” means the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Secured Parties and the Exit Term Loan B Facility Secured Parties.
76. “Exit Facility Term Sheet” means the term sheet attached as Exhibit F to the Restructuring Support Agreement.
77. “Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility” means the first lien reserve-based revolving credit facility with an initial borrowing base of $580 million, and the term loan facility in the aggregate amount determined in accordance with the Plan and Restructuring Support Agreement, each of which shall be on such terms as set forth in the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Documentation, consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
78. “Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia (or any successor thereto), as administrative agent under the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility, solely in its capacity as such.
79. “Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Documentation” means, in connection with the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility, the applicable credit agreements, collateral documents, mortgages, deeds of trust Uniform Commercial Code statements, and other loan documents governing the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility, the material documents of which shall be included in the Plan Supplement, consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
7
80. “Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Secured Parties” means the lenders under the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility (including banks, financial institutions, institutional lenders, or other entities serving as agents, arrangers, book-runners, and/or letter of credit issuers thereto, each solely in their capacity as such).
81. “Exit Term Loan B Facility” means the new last-out term loan lending facility in the aggregate amount determined in accordance with the Plan and Restructuring Support Agreement, which shall be on such terms as set forth in the Exit Term Loan B Facility Documentation.
82. “Exit Term Loan B Facility Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia (or any successor thereto), as administrative agent under the Exit Term Loan B Facility, solely in its capacity as such.
83. “Exit Term Loan B Facility Documentation” means, in connection with the Exit Term Loan B Facility, the applicable credit agreements, collateral documents, mortgages, deeds of trust, Uniform Commercial Code statements, and other loan documents governing the Exit Term Loan B Facility, the material documents of which shall be included in the Plan Supplement, and which shall be consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
84. “Exit Term Loan B Facility Secured Parties” means the lenders under the Exit Term Loan B Facility, including banks, financial institutions, institutional lenders, or other entities serving as agents, arrangers, bookrunners, and/or letter of credit issuers thereto, each solely in their capacity as such.
85. “Federal Judgment Rate” means the federal judgment rate in effect as of the Petition Date.
86. “File,” “Filed,” or “Filing” means file, filed, or filing with the Bankruptcy Court or its authorized designee in the Chapter 11 Cases.
87. “Final Order” means, as applicable, an order or judgment of the Bankruptcy Court, or other court of competent jurisdiction with respect to the relevant subject matter, that has not been reversed, stayed, modified, or amended, and as to which the time to appeal, seek certiorari, or move for a new trial, reargument, or rehearing has expired and as to which no appeal, petition for certiorari, or other proceeding for a new trial, reargument, or rehearing has been timely taken; or as to which, any appeal that has been taken or any petition for certiorari that has been or may be filed has been withdrawn with prejudice, resolved by the highest court to which the order or judgment could be appealed or from which certiorari could be sought, or the new trial, reargument, or rehearing has been denied, resulted in no stay pending appeal or modification of such order, or has otherwise been dismissed with prejudice; provided that the possibility that a motion under Rule 60 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or any analogous rule under the Bankruptcy Rules, may be filed with respect to such order will not preclude such order from being a Final Order.
88. “First Lien Adequate Protection Claims” means the adequate protection Claims granted to the RBL Agent for the benefits of the RBL Lenders pursuant to the DIP Orders.
89. “General Unsecured Claim” means any Unsecured Claim against any of the Debtors, other than: (a) an Administrative Claim; (b) a Priority Tax Claim; (c) an Other Priority Claim; or (d) an Intercompany Claim. For the avoidance of doubt, General Unsecured Claims include (x) Notes Claims, (y) Claims resulting from the rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases, and (z) Unsecured Claims resulting from litigation against one or more of the Debtors.
8
90. “Governmental Unit” has the meaning set forth in section 101(27) of the Bankruptcy Code.
91. “Gulfport Subsidiaries” means collectively, all Debtors other than Gulfport Parent.
92. “Gulfport Subsidiaries Equity Pool” means New Common Stock in an amount equal to 94% of all New Common Stock, subject to dilution by the Management Incentive Plan and any conversion of New Preferred Stock into New Common Stock.
93. “Gulfport Parent” means Debtor Gulfport Energy Corporation, a Delaware limited liability company.
94. “Gulfport Parent Equity Pool” means New Common Stock in an amount equal to 6% of all New Common Stock, subject to dilution by the Management Incentive Plan and any conversion of New Preferred Stock into New Common Stock.
95. “Hedging Order” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
96. “Holder” means an Entity holding a Claim against or an Interest in any Debtor, as applicable.
97. “Impaired” means with respect to a Class of Claims or Interests, a Class of Claims or Interests that is impaired within the meaning of section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
98. “Initial MIP Allocation” means, with respect to (a) Xxxxx Xxxx, 28%, (b) Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 20%, (c) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 20%, (d) Xxxxxx Xxxxx, 20%, (e) X.X. Xxxxx, 4%, (f) Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, 4% and (g) Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 4%.
99. “Intercompany Claim” means any Claim held by a Debtor or Affiliate of a Debtor against another Debtor or Affiliate of a Debtor.
100. “Intercompany Interest” means other than an Interest in Gulfport Parent, any Interest in one Debtor held by another Debtor.
101. “Interest” means any equity security (as defined in section 101(16) of the Bankruptcy Code) in any Debtor and any other rights, options, warrants, rights, restricted stock awards, performance share awards, performance share units, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights, stock-settled restricted stock units, cash-settled restricted stock units, or other securities or agreements to acquire the common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests, or other equity, ownership, or profits interests of any Debtor (whether or not arising under or in connection with any employment agreement, separation agreement, or employee incentive plan or program of a Debtor as of the Petition Date and whether or not certificated, transferable, preferred, common, voting, or denominated “stock” or similar security).
102. “Interim Compensation Order” means the Order Establishing Procedures for Interim Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses for Professionals [Docket No. [●]] (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof).
103. “Judicial Code” means title 28 of the United States Code, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1–4001, as amended from time to time.
104. “Law” means any federal, state, local, or foreign law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, ruling, or judgment, in each case, that is validly adopted, promulgated, issued, or entered by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction (including the Bankruptcy Court).
9
105. “L/C Issuing Bank” means any issuer of letters of credit under the RBL Credit Agreement or the DIP Credit Agreement, or any successor issuer of letters of credit thereunder.
106. “Lender Swap Counterparty” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Hedging Order.
107. “Lien” has the meaning set forth in section 101(37) of the Bankruptcy Code.
108. “Management Incentive Plan” means an incentive plan for certain participating employees of the Reorganized Debtors, to be established and implemented in accordance with Article IV.P of the Plan and consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights. The Management Incentive Plan will reserve for issuance a number of shares of New Common Stock equal to the Management Incentive Plan Pool, which will dilute all of the New Common Stock equally.
109. “Management Incentive Plan Participants” means Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, X.X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx.
110. “Management Incentive Plan Pool” means the pool of shares of New Common Stock representing (on a fully diluted and fully distributed basis) 10 percent of the total New Common Stock of the Reorganized Debtors, which is reserved for distribution to participants in the Management Incentive Plan.
111. “Midship” means Midship Pipeline Company, LLC, Cheniere Energy, LLC, and their direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates.
112. “MIP Employment Agreements” means the (1) Employment Agreement by and between Gulfport Energy Corporation and Xxxxx X. Xxxx, effective August 1, 2019, (2) Employment Agreement by and between Gulfport Energy Corporation and Xxxxxx Xxxxx, effective July 31, 2019, (3) Employment Agreement by and between Gulfport Energy Corporation and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, effective August 26, 2019, and (4) Employment Agreement by and between Gulfport Energy Corporation and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, effective August 1, 2019, and (5) the employment agreements to be entered into on or prior to the Effective Date by Gulfport Energy Corporation and X.X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, which shall be on substantially the same terms as the other MIP Employment Agreements, making adjustments for such employee’s compensation as applicable; provided that with respect to any MIP Employment Agreement in (5), the applicable severance to be paid upon a change of control or termination without cause or for good reason shall be equivalent to one year of base compensation plus target bonus.
113. “New Board” means the board of directors or the board of managers, as applicable, of Reorganized Gulfport Parent.
114. “New Common Stock” means the common stock of Reorganized Gulfport Parent.
115. “New Organizational Documents” means the form of the certificates or articles of incorporation, bylaws, or such other applicable formation documents, of each of the Reorganized Debtors.
116. “New Preferred Stock” means the preferred stock of Reorganized Gulfport Parent, which shall be consistent with the New Preferred Stock Term Sheet.
117. “New Preferred Stock Term Sheet” means that certain term sheet attached as Exhibit H to the Restructuring Support Agreement.
118. “New Unsecured Notes” means those certain unsecured notes in a principal amount of $550 million, which shall be issued pursuant to the New Unsecured Notes Indenture, and which shall be consistent with the Unsecured Notes Term Sheet and the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
10
119. “New Unsecured Notes Documents” means, collectively, all agreements, indentures, documents (including security, collateral or pledge agreements or documents), letters of credit, mortgages or instruments to be executed or delivered in connection with the New Unsecured Notes, including the New Unsecured Notes Indenture.
120. “New Unsecured Notes Indenture” means the new indenture for the New Unsecured Notes.
121. “New Unsecured Notes Term Sheet” means that certain term sheet attached as Exhibit I to the Restructuring Support Agreement.
122. “Notes” means, collectively, the 2023 Notes, the 2024 Notes, the 2025 Notes, and the 2026 Notes.
123. “Notes Claim” means any Claim against any Debtor derived from, based upon, arising under, or relating to any of the Notes Indentures and any costs that are reimbursable by any Debtor pursuant to any of the Notes Indentures.
124. “Notes Indentures” means collectively, the 2023 Notes Indenture, the 2024 Notes Indenture, the 2025 Notes Indenture, and the 2026 Notes Indenture.
125. “Notes Trustee” means Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., solely in its capacity as trustee under the Notes Indentures, or any successor trustee under the Notes Indentures.
126. “Notes Trustee Charging Lien” means any Lien or priority of payment to which the Notes Trustee is entitled under the Notes Indentures against distributions to be made to Holders of Notes Claims for payment of any Notes Trustee Fees.
127. “Notes Trustee Fees” means all reasonable and documented compensation, fees, expenses, disbursements, and indemnity claims, including, without limitation, attorneys’ and agents’ fees, expenses and disbursements incurred by the Notes Trustee to the extent provided for under the Notes Indentures, whether arising before or after the Petition Date or before or after the Effective Date.
128. “Other Priority Claim” means any Claim, other than an Administrative Claim or a Priority Tax Claim, entitled to priority in right of payment under section 507(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.
129. “Other Secured Claim” means any Secured Claim other than an RBL Claim or a DIP Claim.
130. “Person” has the meaning set forth in section 101(41) of the Bankruptcy Code.
131. “Petition Date” means [●], 2020, the date on which the Debtors commenced the Chapter 11 Cases.
132. “Plan Distribution” means a payment or distribution to Holders of Allowed Claims, Allowed Interests, or other eligible Entities in accordance with the Plan.
133. “Plan Supplement” means the compilation of documents and forms of documents, agreements, schedules, and exhibits to the Plan (in each case, as may be altered, amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, and consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights and in accordance with the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules) to be Filed by the Debtors no later than seven days before the deadline set by the Disclosure Statement Order to object to the Plan or such later date as may be approved by the Bankruptcy Court on notice to parties in interest, including the following, as applicable: (a) the New Organizational Documents; (b) to the extent known, the identities of the members of the New Board; (c) the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; (d) the Schedule of Proposed Cure Amounts; (e) the Schedule of Retained Causes of Action; (f) the material form Exit Facility Loan Agreements; (g) the Restructuring Steps Memorandum; and (h) the New Unsecured Notes Indenture. The Debtors shall have the right to alter, amend, modify, or supplement the documents contained in the Plan Supplement up to the Effective Date as set forth in the Plan and in accordance with the Restructuring Support Agreement and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights. The Plan Supplement shall be deemed incorporated into and part of the Plan as if set forth herein in full, provided that in the event of a conflict between the Plan and the Plan Supplement, the Plan Supplement shall control in accordance with Article I.G.
11
134. “Plan Value” means the per share price of the New Common Stock as determined by the Debtors in good faith in accordance with general valuation principles, in a manner and amount acceptable to the Required Consenting Noteholders.
135. “Priority Tax Claim” means any Claim of a Governmental Unit of the kind specified in section 507(a)(8) of the Bankruptcy Code.
136. “Pro Rata” means the proportion that an Allowed Claim or an Allowed Interest in a particular Class bears to the aggregate amount of Allowed Claims or Allowed Interests in that Class or the proportion of the Allowed Claims or Allowed Interests in a particular Class and other Classes entitled to share in the same recovery as such Allowed Claim or Allowed Interests under the Plan, unless otherwise indicated.
137. “Professional” means an Entity: (a) employed in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to a Bankruptcy Court order in accordance with sections 327, 328, 363, or 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code and to be compensated for services rendered prior to or as of the Confirmation Date, pursuant to sections 327, 328, 329, 330, or 331 of the Bankruptcy Code; or (b) awarded compensation and reimbursement by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to section 503(b)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code.
138. “Professional Escrow Account” means an account funded by the Debtors with Cash on the Effective Date in an amount equal to the total estimated Professional Fee Amount.
139. “Professional Fee Amount” means the aggregate amount of Professional Fee Claims and other unpaid fees and expenses that Professionals estimate they have incurred or will incur in rendering services to the Debtors prior to and as of the Confirmation Date, which estimates Professionals shall deliver to the Debtors as set forth in Article II.C.3 of the Plan.
140. “Professional Fee Claim” means any Claim by a Professional for compensation for services rendered or reimbursement of expenses incurred by such Professionals through and including the Confirmation Date to the extent such fees and expenses have not been paid pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court. To the extent the Bankruptcy Court denies or reduces by a Final Order any amount of a Professional’s requested fees and expenses, then the amount by which such fees or expenses are reduced or denied shall reduce the applicable Professional Fee Claim. For the avoidance of doubt, the Transaction Expenses shall not be considered Professional Fee Claims, and any such amounts shall be paid in accordance with the Restructuring Support Agreement, the DIP Orders, and the Plan, as applicable.
141. “Proof of Claim” means a proof of Claim Filed against any of the Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases.
12
142. “RBL Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, solely in its capacity as administrative agent for the RBL Facility.
143. “RBL Claims” means any Claim against any Debtor derived from, based upon, or arising under the RBL Credit Agreement except Roll-Up DIP Claims.
144. “RBL Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2013, by and among Gulfport Parent, as borrower, the Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent and issuing bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, KeyBank National Association, and PNC Bank, National Association, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, KeyBank National Association and PNC Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., and Barclays Bank PLC, as co-documentation agents, and each of the lenders party thereto, as amended by that certain First Amendment, dated as of April 23, 2014, that certain Second Amendment, dated as of November 26, 2014, that certain Third Amendment, dated as of April 10, 2015, that certain Fourth Amendment and Limited Consent and Waiver dated as of May 29, 2015, that certain Fifth Amendment dated as of September 18, 2015, that certain Sixth Amendment dated as of February 19, 2016, that certain Seventh Amendment dated as of December 13, 2016, that certain Eighth Amendment dated as of March 29, 2017, that certain Ninth Amendment dated as of May 4, 2017, that certain Tenth Amendment dated as of October 4, 2017, that certain Eleventh Amendment dated as of November 21, 2017, that certain Twelfth Amendment dated as of May 21, 2018, that certain Thirteenth Amendment dated as of November 28, 2018, and that certain Fourteenth Amendment dated as of June 3, 2019, that certain Fifteenth Amendment, dated as of May 1, 2020, and that certain Sixteenth Amendment, dated as of July 27, 2020, and as further amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
145. “RBL/DIP Preserved Rights” means the rights contemplated by Sections 2.03(c), 11.04(a), 11.04(b) and 11.04(c) of the RBL Credit Agreement and of the DIP Credit Agreement for indemnity in favor of the RBL Agent and the DIP Agent, respectively, and reimbursement in favor of L/C Issuing Banks, as applicable.
146. “RBL Facility” means the senior secured credit facility established under the RBL Credit Agreement.
147. “RBL Lenders” means the lenders party to the RBL Facility from time to time.
148. “Reinstate,” “Reinstated,” or “Reinstatement” means with respect to a Claim or Interest, that the Claim or Interest shall be rendered Unimpaired in accordance with section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
149. “Related Party” means, collectively, with respect to an Entity, (a) such Entity’s current and former Affiliates and (b) such Entity’s and such Entity’s current and former Affiliates’ directors, managers, officers, shareholders, equity holders (regardless of whether such interests are held directly or indirectly), affiliated investment funds or investment vehicles, predecessors, participants, successors, assigns (whether by operation of law or otherwise), subsidiaries, current, former, and future associated entities, managed or advised entities, accounts or funds, partners, limited partners, general partners, principals, members, management companies, fund advisors, fiduciaries, trustees, employees, agents (including any Disbursing Agent), advisory board members, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, consultants, other representatives, and other professionals, representatives, advisors, predecessors, successors, and assigns, each solely in their capacities as such, and the respective heirs, executors, estates, servants and nominees of the foregoing.
13
150. “Released Claims” means any claim or interest that have been released, satisfied, stayed, terminated, discharged, or are subject to compromise and settlement pursuant to the Plan.
151. “Released Parties” means, collectively, and in each case in its capacity as such: (a) the Debtors; (b) the Reorganized Debtors; (c) any official committees appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases and each of their members; (d) the Ad Hoc Noteholder Group and each of its members; (e) the Consenting Stakeholders; (f) the Agents; (g) the Notes Trustee; (h) the RBL Lenders; (i) the DIP Lenders; (j) the Exit Facility Secured Parties; (k) the L/C Issuing Banks; (l) the Lender Swap Counterparties; (m) the Backstop Commitment Parties; (n) all Releasing Parties; (o) each Related Party of each Entity in clauses (a) through (n); provided, that any Holder of a Claim or Interest that opts out of the releases contained in the Plan shall not be a “Released Party;” provided, further, that notwithstanding anything in the Plan or the Plan Supplement to the contrary, neither Midship nor any of its Related Parties shall be a “Released Party.”
152. “Releasing Parties” means, collectively, and in each case in its capacity as such: (a) the Debtors; (b) the Reorganized Debtors; (c) any official committees appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases and each of their members; (d) the Ad Hoc Noteholder Group and each of its members; (e) the Consenting Stakeholders; (f) the Agents; (g) the Notes Trustee; (h) the RBL Lenders; (i) the DIP Lenders; (j) the Exit Facility Secured Parties; (k) the L/C Issuing Banks; (l) the Lender Swap Counterparties; (m) the Backstop Commitment Parties; (n) all Holders of Claims or Interests who vote to accept the Plan; (o) all Holders of Claims or Interests that are deemed to accept the Plan and who do not opt out of the releases in the Plan; (p) all Holders of Claims or Interests that are deemed to reject the Plan and who do not opt out of the releases in the Plan; (q) all Holders of Claims or Interests who abstain from voting on the Plan and who do not opt out of the releases in the Plan; (r) all Holders of Claims or Interests who vote to reject the Plan and who do not opt out of the releases in the Plan; (s) each Related Party of each Entity in clause (a) through (r); provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, no Holder of a Claim that is party to or has otherwise signed the Restructuring Support Agreement may opt out of the releases.
153. “Reorganized Debtors” means the Debtors, as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, on and after the Effective Date, or any successors or assigns thereto.
154. “Reorganized Gulfport Parent” means Gulfport Parent, as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, on and after the Effective Date, or any successor or assign thereto.
155. “Required Consenting Noteholders” has the meaning set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
156. “Required Consenting RBL Lenders” has the meaning set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
157. “Required Consenting Stakeholders” has the meaning set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement.
158. “Restructuring Steps Memorandum” means the summary of transaction steps to complete the restructuring contemplated by the Plan, which shall be included in the Plan Supplement.
159. “Restructuring Support Agreement” means that certain Restructuring Support Agreement, entered into and dated as of [●], by and among the Debtors and the Consenting Stakeholders, including all exhibits, schedules, and other attachments thereto, as such agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, solely in accordance with its terms thereof.
160. “Restructuring Transactions” means the mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, arrangements, continuances, restructurings, transfers, conversions, dispositions, liquidations, dissolutions, or other corporate transactions described in, approved by, contemplated by, or undertaken to implement the Plan subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights.
14
161. “Rights Offering” means the rights offering of at least $50 million in net proceeds to purchase of New Preferred Stock at a per share purchase price of $[●], to be conducted pursuant to the Backstop Commitment Agreement and the Rights Offering Procedures, as further detailed in Article IV.D.3 of the Plan
162. “Rights Offering Documents” means, collectively, any and all agreements, documents, and instruments delivered or entered into in connection with the Rights Offering, including the Rights Offering Procedures.
163. “Rights Offering Procedures” means those certain rights offering procedures that are attached to the Disclosure Statement as Exhibit [●].
164. “Rights Offering Stock” means New Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to the Rights Offering.
165. “Rights Offering Subscription Rights” means the rights to purchase the Rights Offering Stock pursuant to the Rights Offering.
166. “Roll-Up DIP Claims” means RBL Claims rolled-up pursuant to the terms of the DIP Loan Documents in an aggregate amount of $157.5 million.
167. “Royalty and Working Interests” means the working interests granting the Holder thereof the right to exploit oil and gas and associated hydrocarbons, and the royalties and mineral interests in the production of hydrocarbons; but, in each case, only to the extent that the applicable interest is considered an interest in real property under applicable law.
168. “Schedule of Proposed Cure Amounts” means any schedule (including any amendments, supplements, or modifications thereto) of the Debtors’ proposed Cure amounts (if any) with respect to each of the Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases to be assumed by the Debtors pursuant to the Plan.
169. “Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases” means the schedule (including any amendments, supplements, or modifications thereto) of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases to be rejected by the Debtors pursuant to the Plan, which schedule shall be included in the Plan Supplement.
170. “Schedule of Retained Causes of Action” means the schedule of Causes of Action that shall vest in the Reorganized Debtors on the Effective Date, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any of the Causes of Action that are settled, released, or exculpated under the Plan.
171. “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
172. “Section 510(b) Claim” means any Claim subject to subordination under section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
173. “Secured Claim” means a Claim that is: (a) secured by a Lien on property in which any of the Debtors has an interest, which Lien is valid, perfected, and enforceable pursuant to applicable law or by reason of a Bankruptcy Court order, or that is subject to a valid right of setoff pursuant to section 553 of the Bankruptcy Code, to the extent of the value of the creditor’s interest in the Debtors’ interest in such property or to the extent of the amount subject to setoff, as applicable, as determined pursuant to section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code; or (b) Allowed pursuant to the Plan, or separate order of the Bankruptcy Court, as a secured claim.
15
174. “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77a–77aa, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time, or any similar federal, state, or local law.
175. “Security” means any security, as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act.
176. “Solicitation Agent” means Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC, the notice, claims, and solicitation agent proposed to be retained by the Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases.
177. “Solicitation Materials” means, collectively, the solicitation materials with respect to the Plan.
178. “Transaction Expenses” means, collectively, the Notes Trustee Fees and all reasonable and documented fees, expenses, and disbursements of the advisors to the Consenting Stakeholders with respect to the efforts to implement the Restructuring Transactions and not previously paid by, or on behalf of, the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, including: (a) Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP; (b) Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Inc.; (c) Opportune LLP; (d) Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLP; (e) local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction; and (f) other professionals, advisors, and experts engaged from time to time by or on behalf of the Consenting Stakeholders.
179. “U.S. Trustee” means the United States Trustee for the Southern District of Texas.
180. “Unclaimed Distribution” means any distribution under the Plan on account of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest to a Holder that has not: (a) accepted a particular distribution or, in the case of distributions made by check, negotiated such check within 180 calendar days of receipt; (b) given notice to the Reorganized Debtors of an intent to accept a particular distribution within 180 calendar days of receipt; (c) responded to the Debtors’ or Reorganized Debtors’ requests for information necessary to facilitate a particular distribution prior to the deadline included in such request for information; or (d) timely taken any other action necessary to facilitate such distribution.
181. “Unexpired Lease” means a lease of nonresidential real property to which one or more of the Debtors is a party that is subject to assumption or rejection under section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.
182. “Unimpaired” means with respect to a Class of Claims or Interests, a Class of Claims or Interests that is unimpaired within the meaning of section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
183. “Unsecured Claim” means any Claim that is not a Secured Claim.
184. “Voting Report” means the report certifying the methodology for the tabulation of votes and result of voting under the Plan.
16
B. Rules of Interpretation.
For purposes of the Plan: (1) in the appropriate context, each term, whether stated in the singular or the plural, shall include both the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine, and the neuter gender; (2) unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to an existing document, schedule, or exhibit, whether or not Filed, having been Filed or to be Filed shall mean that document, schedule, or exhibit, as it may thereafter be amended, modified, or supplemented in accordance with the Restructuring Support Agreement, Plan, or Confirmation Order, as applicable; (3) any reference to an Entity as a Holder of a Claim or Interest includes that Entity’s successors and assigns; (4) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to “Articles” are references to Articles hereof; (5) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to exhibits are references to exhibits in the Plan Supplement; (6) unless otherwise specified, the words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereto” refer to the Plan in its entirety rather than to a particular portion of the Plan; (7) subject to the provisions of any contract, charters, bylaws, partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements, operating agreements, or other organizational documents or shareholders’ agreements, as applicable, instrument, release, or other agreement or document entered into in connection with the Plan, the rights and obligations arising pursuant to the Plan shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with the applicable Law, including the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules; (8) any immaterial effectuating provisions may be interpreted by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors in such a manner that is consistent with the overall purpose and intent of the Plan all without further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court or any other Entity; (9) unless otherwise specified herein, the rules of construction set forth in section 102 of the Bankruptcy Code shall apply; (10) any term used in capitalized form herein that is not otherwise defined but that is used in the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules, as the case may be; (11) all references to docket numbers of documents Filed in the Chapter 11 Cases are references to the docket numbers under the Bankruptcy Court’s CM/ECF system; (12) all references to statutes, regulations, orders, rules of courts, and the like shall mean as amended from time to time, and as applicable to the Chapter 11 Cases, unless otherwise stated; (13) references to “Proofs of Claim,” “Holders of Claims,” “Disputed Claims,” and the like shall include “Proofs of Interest,” “Holders of Interests,” “Disputed Interests,” and the like, as applicable; (14) captions and headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the interpretation of the Plan; (15) references to “shareholders,” “directors,” and/or “officers” shall also include “members” and/or “managers,” as applicable, as such terms are defined under the applicable state limited liability company laws; and (16) all references herein to consent, acceptance, or approval may be conveyed by counsel for the respective Person or Entity that have such consent, acceptance, or approval rights, including by electronic mail.
C. Computation of Time.
Unless otherwise specifically stated herein, the provisions of Bankruptcy Rule 9006(a) shall apply in computing any period of time prescribed or allowed herein. If the date on which a transaction may occur pursuant to the Plan shall occur on a day that is not a Business Day, then such transaction shall instead occur on the next succeeding Business Day. Any action to be taken on the Effective Date may be taken on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date.
D. Governing Law.
Except to the extent a rule of law or procedure is supplied by federal law (including the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Rules), and subject to the provisions of any contract, lease, instrument, release, indenture, or other agreement or document entered into expressly in connection herewith, the rights and obligations arising hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles.
E. Reference to Monetary Figures.
All references in the Plan to monetary figures shall refer to currency of the United States of America, unless otherwise expressly provided herein.
F. Reference to the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan to the contrary, references in the Plan to the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors shall mean the Debtors and the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, to the extent the context requires.
17
G. Controlling Document.
In the event of an inconsistency between the Plan and the Disclosure Statement, the terms of the Plan shall control in all respects. In the event of an inconsistency between the Plan and the Plan Supplement, the terms of the relevant provision in the Plan Supplement shall control (unless stated otherwise in such Plan Supplement document or in the Confirmation Order). In the event of an inconsistency between the Confirmation Order and the Plan, including the Plan Supplement, or the Disclosure Statement, the Confirmation Order shall control.
H. Consultation, Information, Notice, and Consent Rights.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any and all consultation, information, notice, and consent rights of the parties to the Restructuring Support Agreement set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement (including the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights), with respect to the form and substance of the Plan, all exhibits to the Plan, the Plan Supplement, and all other Definitive Documents, including any amendments, restatements, supplements, or other modifications to such agreements and documents, and any consents, waivers, or other deviations under or from any such documents, shall be incorporated herein by this reference (including to the applicable definitions in Article I.A hereof) and fully enforceable as if stated in full herein.
Failure to reference the rights referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph as such rights relate to any document referenced in the Restructuring Support Agreement shall not impair such rights or obligations.
Article
II.
ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS, DIP CLAIMS,
PRIORITY CLAIMS, and Restructuring Expenses
In accordance with section 1123(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, Administrative Claims, Professional Fee Claims, DIP Claims, and Priority Tax Claims have not been classified and, thus, are excluded from the Classes of Claims and Interests set forth in Article III hereof.
A. Administrative Claims.
Except with respect to the Professional Fee Claims and Claims for fees and expenses pursuant to section 1930 of chapter 123 of title 28 of the United States Code, and except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Administrative Claim and the Debtors against which such Allowed Administrative Claim is asserted agree to less favorable treatment for such Holder, or such Holder has been paid by any Debtor on account of such Allowed Administrative Claim prior to the Effective Date, each Holder of such an Allowed Administrative Claim will receive in full and final satisfaction of its Allowed Administrative Claim an amount of Cash equal to the amount of such Allowed Administrative Claim in accordance with the following: (1) if an Administrative Claim is Allowed on or prior to the Effective Date, on the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter (or, if not then due, when such Allowed Administrative Claim is due or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter); (2) if such Administrative Claim is not Allowed as of the Effective Date, no later than thirty days after the date on which an order allowing such Administrative Claim becomes a Final Order, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter; (3) if such Allowed Administrative Claim is based on liabilities incurred by the Debtors in the ordinary course of their business after the Petition Date, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the particular transaction giving rise to such Allowed Administrative Claim without any further action by the Holder of such Allowed Administrative Claim; (4) at such time and upon such terms as may be agreed upon by such Holder and the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable; or (5) at such time and upon such terms as set forth in an order of the Bankruptcy Court.
18
Holders of Administrative Claims that are required to File and serve a request for payment of such Administrative Claims by the Administrative Claims Bar Date that do not File and serve such a request by the Administrative Claims Bar Date shall be forever barred, estopped, and enjoined from asserting such Administrative Claims against the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, and such Administrative Claims shall be deemed compromised, settled, and released as of the Effective Date.
B. DIP Claims.
On the Effective Date, the DIP Facility shall be indefeasibly converted into the Exit Facility, and all commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement shall terminate. Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed DIP Claim agrees to less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of, and in exchange for, each Allowed DIP Claim (subject to the last sentence of this Article II.B), each Holder of an Allowed DIP Claim shall receive its Pro Rata share of participation in the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility in accordance with the Exit Facility Credit Documentation; provided, however, that to the extent the aggregate principal amount of the Exit Facilities on the Effective Date is more than $580 million, each Holder of an Allowed DIP Claim on account of the New Money Facility (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement), and following the indefeasible payment in full of such Claims, on account of the Roll Up Facility (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement), shall receive a Pro Rata share of a distribution in Cash in an amount sufficient to reduce the aggregate principal amount of the Exit Facilities on the Effective Date to $580 million; provided, further, that in the event the Debtors elect not to consummate the Exit Facility, the Debtors shall indefeasibly pay the DIP Facility in full in cash or provide such other treatment, solely with respect to the Roll Up Facility, as is agreed by the Majority Lenders (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement) in their sole direction; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Allowed DIP Claims on account of the New Money Facility shall be paid in full in cash unless the Holder of such Claims consents otherwise in writing. Upon the indefeasible satisfaction in full of the DIP Claims and termination of all commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Article II.B, on the Effective Date all Liens and security interests granted to secure such DIP Claims shall be automatically terminated and of no further force and effect, without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court or any other Entity.
C. Professional Fee Claims.
1. Final Fee Applications and Payment of Professional Fee Claims.
All final requests for payment of Professional Fee Claims for services rendered and reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the Effective Date must be Filed no later than forty-five days after the Effective Date. The Bankruptcy Court shall determine the Allowed amounts of such Professional Fee Claims after notice and a hearing in accordance with the procedures established by the Bankruptcy Court, including the Interim Compensation Order. The Reorganized Debtors shall pay Professional Fee Claims in Cash in the amount the Bankruptcy Court Allows, including from the Professional Escrow Account, as soon as reasonably practicable after such Professional Fee Claims are Allowed, and which Allowed amount shall not be subject to disallowance, setoff, recoupment, subordination, recharacterization, or reduction of any kind, including pursuant to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code. To the extent that funds held in the Professional Escrow Account are insufficient to satisfy the amount of Professional Fee Claims owing to the Professionals, such Professionals shall have an Allowed Administrative Claim for any such deficiency, which shall be satisfied in accordance with Article II.A of the Plan.
19
2. Professional Escrow Account.
No later than the Effective Date, the Debtors shall establish and fund the Professional Escrow Account with Cash equal to the Professional Fee Amount. The Professional Escrow Account shall be maintained in trust solely for the Professionals until all Professional Fee Claims Allowed by the Bankruptcy Court have been irrevocably paid in full pursuant to one or more Final Orders. Such funds shall not be considered property of the Debtors’ Estates. The amount of Allowed Professional Fee Claims shall be paid in Cash to the Professionals by the Reorganized Debtors from the Professional Escrow Account as soon as reasonably practicable after such Professional Fee Claims are Allowed. When all such Allowed Professional Fee Claims have been paid in full, any remaining amount in the Professional Escrow Account shall promptly be transferred to the Reorganized Debtors without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
3. Professional Fee Amount.
Professionals shall reasonably estimate their unpaid Professional Fee Claims and other unpaid fees and expenses incurred in rendering services to the Debtors before and as of the Effective Date, and shall deliver such estimate to the Debtors no later than five days before the Effective Date; provided that such estimate shall not be deemed to limit the amount of the fees and expenses that are the subject of each Professional’s final request for payment in the Chapter 11 Cases. If a Professional does not provide an estimate, the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors may estimate the unpaid and unbilled fees and expenses of such Professional.
4. Post-Confirmation Fees and Expenses.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, from and after the Confirmation Date, the Debtors shall, in the ordinary course of business and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, pay in Cash the reasonable and documented legal, professional, or other fees and expenses incurred by the Debtors. Upon the Confirmation Date, any requirement that Professionals comply with sections 327 through 331, 363, and 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code or the Interim Compensation Order in seeking retention or compensation for services rendered after such date shall terminate, and the Debtors may employ and pay any Professional in the ordinary course of business without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
D. Priority Tax Claims.
Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Priority Tax Claim agrees to less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of, and in exchange for, each Allowed Priority Tax Claim, each Holder of such Allowed Priority Tax Claim shall be treated in accordance with the terms set forth in section 1129(a)(9)(C) of the Bankruptcy Code.
E. Payment of Statutory Fees.
All fees payable pursuant to section 1930(a) of the Judicial Code, as determined by the Bankruptcy Court at a hearing pursuant to section 1128 of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be paid by each of the Reorganized Debtors (or the Disbursing Agent on behalf of each of the Reorganized Debtors) for each quarter (including any fraction thereof) until the earlier of entry of a final decree closing such Chapter 11 Cases or an order of dismissal or conversion, whichever comes first.
20
F. Transaction Expenses.
The Transaction Expenses incurred, or estimated to be incurred, up to and including the Effective Date shall be paid in full in Cash on the Effective Date (to the extent not previously paid prior to or during the course of the Chapter 11 Cases in accordance with the terms of the Restructuring Support Agreement or any Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court) without any requirement: (1) to file a fee application with the Bankruptcy Court; (2) for review or approval by the Bankruptcy Court or any other party; or (3) to provide itemized time detail. All Transaction Expenses to be paid on the Effective Date shall be estimated as of the Effective Date and such estimates shall be delivered to the Debtors at least two Business Days before the anticipated Effective Date; provided that such estimates shall not be considered an admission or limitation with respect to such Transaction Expenses. In addition, the Debtors and Reorganized Debtors (as applicable) shall continue to pay Transaction Expenses related to implementation, consummation, and defense of the Plan after the Effective Date when due and payable in the ordinary course, whether incurred before, on, or after the Effective Date without any requirement: (1) to file a fee application with the Bankruptcy Court; (2) for review or approval by the Bankruptcy Court or any other party; or (3) to provide itemized time detail.
Article
III.
CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENt oF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS
A. Classification of Claims and Interests.
Except for the Claims addressed in Article II hereof, all Claims and Interests are classified in the Classes set forth below in accordance with sections 1122 and 1123(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code. A Claim or an Interest, or any portion thereof, is classified in a particular Class only to the extent that any portion of such Claim or Interest fits within the description of that Class and is classified in other Classes to the extent that any portion of the Claim or Interest fits within the description of such other Classes. A Claim or an Interest also is classified in a particular Class for the purpose of receiving distributions under the Plan only to the extent that such Claim or Interest is an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest in that Class and has not been paid, released, or otherwise satisfied prior to the Effective Date.
The Plan constitutes a separate Plan for each of the Debtors, and the classification of Claims and Interests set forth herein shall apply separately to each of the Debtors (except for Class 4A General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Parent, and Class 7 Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent, which shall only apply to Debtor Gulfport Parent, and Class 4B General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Subsidiaries, which shall only apply to the Gulfport Subsidiary Debtors). All of the potential Classes for the Debtors are set forth herein. Voting tabulations for recording acceptances or rejections of the Plan shall be conducted on a Debtor-by-Debtor basis as set forth above.
Class |
Claims and Interests | Status | Voting Rights | |||
Class 1 | Other Secured Claims | Unimpaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) | |||
Class 2 | Other Priority Claims | Unimpaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) | |||
Class 3 | RBL Claims | Impaired | Entitled to Vote | |||
Class 4A | General Unsecured Claims Against Gulfport Parent (including Notes Claims against Gulfport Parent) | Impaired | Entitled to Vote | |||
Class 4B | General Unsecured Claims Against Gulfport Subsidiaries | Impaired | Entitled to Vote | |||
Class 5 | Intercompany Claims | Unimpaired / Impaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept or Deemed to Reject) | |||
Class 6 | Intercompany Interests | Unimpaired / Impaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept or Deemed to Reject) | |||
Class 7 | Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent | Impaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) | |||
Class 8 | Section 510(b) Claims | Impaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
21
B. Treatment of Claims and Interests.
Each Holder of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest, as applicable, shall receive under the Plan the treatment described below in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for such Holder’s Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest, as applicable, except to the extent different treatment is agreed to in writing by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, and the Holder of such Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest, as applicable. Unless otherwise indicated, the Holder of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest, as applicable, shall receive such treatment on the Effective Date (or, if payment is not then due, in accordance with such Claim’s or Interest’s terms in the ordinary course of business) or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
1. Class 1 – Other Secured Claims
(a) | Classification: Class 1 consists of all Allowed Other Secured Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: Each Holder of an Allowed Other Secured Claim shall receive, at the option of the applicable Debtor, with the consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld): |
(i) | payment in full in Cash of its Allowed Other Secured Claim; |
(ii) | the collateral securing its Allowed Other Secured Claim; |
(iii) | Reinstatement of its Allowed Other Secured Claim; or |
(iv) | such other treatment that renders its Allowed Other Secured Claim Unimpaired in accordance with section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code. |
(c) | Voting: Class 1 is Unimpaired under the Plan. Holders of Allowed Other Secured Claims are conclusively presumed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
22
2. Class 2 – Other Priority Claims
(a) | Classification: Class 2 consists of all Allowed Other Priority Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: Each Holder of an Allowed Other Priority Claim shall receive treatment in a manner consistent with section 1129(a)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code. |
(c) | Voting: Class 2 is Unimpaired under the Plan. Holders of Allowed Other Priority Claims are conclusively presumed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
3. Class 3 – RBL Claims
(a) | Classification: Class 3 consists of all Allowed RBL Claims. |
(b) | Allowance: Solely with respect to the RBL Claims, on the Effective Date, the RBL Claims shall be Allowed in the aggregate amount of not less than $[●], plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such principal amount as of the Petition Date at the applicable contractual interest rate and any unpaid fees and expenses payable in accordance with the RBL Credit Agreement, and shall not be subject to disallowance, setoff, recoupment, subordination, recharacterization, or reduction of any kind, including pursuant to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code. |
(c) | Treatment: Each Holder of an Allowed RBL Claim shall receive, at the option of each such Holder, either: |
(i) | if such Holder elects to participate in the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility, its Pro Rata share of the Exit RBL/Term Loan A; or |
(ii) | if such Holder does not elect to participate in the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility (including by not making any election with respect to the Exit Facility on the ballot), its Pro Rata share of the Exit Term Loan B Facility. |
(d) | Voting: Class 3 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Allowed RBL Claims are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
4A. Class 4A – General Unsecured Claims Against Gulfport Parent
(a) | Classification: Class 4A consists of all Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Parent. |
(b) | Allowance: Solely with respect to the Notes Claims, on the Effective Date, the Notes Claims shall be Allowed in the aggregate amount of not less than $[●], plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such principal amount as of the Petition Date at the applicable contractual interest rate and any unpaid fees and expenses payable in accordance with the Notes Indentures, and shall not be subject to disallowance, setoff, recoupment, subordination, recharacterization, or reduction of any kind, including pursuant to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code. |
23
(c) | Treatment: Each Holder of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim against Gulfport Parent shall receive, in full and final satisfaction of such Claim, its Pro Rata2 share of the Gulfport Parent Equity Pool; provided, however, that once the Holders of Notes Claims receive distributions of 94% of the New Common Stock (prior to and not including any dilution by the Management Incentive Plan or any conversion of New Preferred Stock into New Common Stock) in the aggregate on account of their Notes Claims against all Debtors, the Holders of Notes Claims shall waive any excess recovery on account of their Pro Rata share of the Gulfport Parent Equity Pool until Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Parent have received New Common Stock with a value sufficient to satisfy their Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Parent in full (based on Plan Value). |
Voting: Class 4A is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Parent are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
4B. Class 4B – General Unsecured Claims Against Gulfport Subsidiaries
(a) | Classification: Class 4B consists of all Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Subsidiaries. |
(b) | Allowance: Solely with respect to the Notes Claims, on the Effective Date, the Notes Claims shall be Allowed in the aggregate amount of not less than $[●], plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such principal amount as of the Petition Date at the applicable contractual interest rate and any unpaid fees and expenses payable in accordance with the Notes Indentures, against each of the Debtors that are obligors under the Notes Indentures and shall not be subject to disallowance, setoff, recoupment, subordination, recharacterization, or reduction of any kind, including pursuant to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code. |
(c) | Treatment: Each Holder of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim against Gulfport Subsidiaries shall receive, in full and final satisfaction of such Claim, its Pro Rata3 share of the: (i) Gulfport Subsidiaries Equity Pool, (ii) Rights Offering Subscription Rights, and (iii) New Unsecured Notes. |
(d) | Voting: Class 4B is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Subsidiaries are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
5. Class 5 – Intercompany Claims
(a) | Classification: Class 5 consists of all Intercompany Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: The Plan and the distributions contemplated thereby constitute a global settlement of any and all Intercompany Claims and causes of action by and between any of the Debtors that may exist as of the Effective Date, and any and all Intercompany Claims will be cancelled on the Effective Date in exchange for the distributions contemplated by the Plan to Holders of Claims against and Interests in the respective Debtor entities. The Plan shall be considered a settlement of the Intercompany Claims pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019. |
2 | For the treatment set forth in this Article III.B.4A.b, the Pro Rata amounts shall be calculated as the Pro Rata share of all General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Parent. |
3 | For the treatment set forth in this Article III.B.4B.b, the Pro Rata amounts shall be calculated as the Pro Rata share of all General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Subsidiaries. |
24
(c) | Voting: Class 5 is Unimpaired under the Plan if Intercompany Claims are Reinstated or Impaired under the Plan if Intercompany Claims are cancelled. Holders of Intercompany Claims are conclusively presumed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) or rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
6. Class 6 – Intercompany Interests
(a) | Classification: Class 6 consists of all Intercompany Interests. |
(b) | Treatment: Holders of Intercompany Interests shall receive no recovery or distribution and shall be Reinstated solely to the extent necessary to maintain the Debtors’ prepetition corporate structure for the ultimate benefit of the Holders of New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock. |
(c) | Voting: Class 6 is Unimpaired under the Plan if Intercompany Interests are Reinstated or Impaired under the Plan if Intercompany Interests are cancelled. Holders of Intercompany Interests are conclusively presumed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) or rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
7. Class 7 – Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent
(a) | Classification: Class 7 consists of all Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent. |
(b) | Treatment: On the Effective Date, all Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent shall be cancelled, released, and extinguished, and will be of no further force or effect. |
(c) | Voting: Class 8 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent are conclusively presumed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, Holders of Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
9. Class 8 – Section 510(b) Claims
(a) | Classification: Class 8 consists of all Section 510(b) Claims. |
(b) | Allowance: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Section 510(b) Claim, if any such Claim exists, may only become Allowed by Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court. |
(c) | Treatment: On the Effective Date, all Allowed Section 510(b) Claims, if any, shall be cancelled, released, and extinguished, and will be of no further force or effect. |
25
(d) | Voting: Class 8 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders (if any) of Allowed Section 510(b) Claims are conclusively presumed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, Holders of Allowed Section 510(b) Claims (if any) are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
C. Special Provision Governing Unimpaired Claims.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, nothing under the Plan shall affect the Debtors’ or the Reorganized Debtors’ rights regarding any Unimpaired Claim, including, all rights regarding legal and equitable defenses to or setoffs or recoupments against any such Unimpaired Claim.
D. Elimination of Vacant Classes.
Any Class of Claims or Interests that does not have a Holder of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest or a Claim or Interest temporarily Allowed by the Bankruptcy Court as of the date of the Confirmation Hearing shall be deemed eliminated from the Plan for purposes of voting to accept or reject the Plan and for purposes of determining acceptance or rejection of the Plan by such Class pursuant to section 1129(a)(8) of the Bankruptcy Code.
E. Voting Classes, Presumed Acceptance by Non-Voting Classes.
If a Class contains Claims or Interests eligible to vote on the Plan and no Holder of Claims or Interests eligible to vote in such Class votes to accept or reject the Plan, the Holders of such Claims or Interests in such Class shall be deemed to have accepted the Plan.
F. Intercompany Interests.
To the extent Reinstated under the Plan, distributions on account of Intercompany Interests are not being received by Holders of such Intercompany Interests on account of their Intercompany Interests but for the purposes of administrative convenience and due to the importance of maintaining the prepetition corporate structure for the ultimate benefit of the Holders of New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock, and in exchange for the Debtors’ and Reorganized Debtors’ agreement under the Plan to make certain distributions to the Holders of Allowed Claims. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Reinstated pursuant to the Plan, on and after the Effective Date, all Intercompany Interests shall be owned by the same Reorganized Debtor that corresponds with the Debtor that owned such Intercompany Interests immediately prior to the Effective Date.
G. Confirmation Pursuant to Sections 1129(a)(10) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Section 1129(a)(10) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be satisfied for purposes of Confirmation by acceptance of the Plan by at least one Impaired Class of Claims. The Debtors shall seek Confirmation of the Plan pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any rejecting Class(es) of Claims or Interests. The Debtors reserve the right to modify the Plan in accordance with Article XII hereof to the extent, if any, that Confirmation pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code requires modification, including by modifying the treatment applicable to a Class of Claims or Interests or reclassifying Claims to the extent permitted by the Bankruptcy Code and the Bankruptcy Rules.
H. Controversy Concerning Impairment.
If a controversy arises as to whether any Claims or Interests, or any Class of Claims or Interests, are Impaired, the Bankruptcy Court shall, after notice and a hearing, determine such controversy on or before the Confirmation Date.
26
I. Subordinated Claims and Interests.
The allowance, classification, and treatment of all Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests and the respective distributions and treatments under the Plan take into account and conform to the relative priority and rights of the Claims and Interests in each Class in connection with any contractual, legal, and equitable subordination rights relating thereto, whether arising under general principles of equitable subordination, section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, or otherwise. Pursuant to section 510 of the Bankruptcy Code, and subject to the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, reserve the right to re-classify any Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest in accordance with any contractual, legal, or equitable subordination rights relating thereto.
Article
IV.
MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN
A. General Settlement of Claims and Interests.
Pursuant to section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 9019, and in consideration for the classification, distributions, releases, and other benefits provided under the Plan, upon the Effective Date, the provisions of the Plan shall constitute a good faith compromise and settlement of all Claims, Interests, Causes of Action, and controversies released, settled, compromised, discharged, satisfied, or otherwise resolved pursuant to the Plan, including (1) any challenge to the amount, validity, enforceability, priority, or extent of the Notes Claims, (2) any Claim to avoid, subordinate, or disallow any Notes Claim whether under any provision of chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code, on any equitable theory (including equitable subordination, equitable disallowance, or unjust enrichment) or otherwise, and (3) any disputes concerning in any way the validity, effectiveness, or priority of the Intercompany Claims. The Plan shall be deemed a motion to approve the good faith compromise and settlement of all such Claims, Interests, Causes of Action, and controversies pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, and the entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute the Bankruptcy Court’s approval of such compromise and settlement under section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 9019, as well as a finding by the Bankruptcy Court that such settlement and compromise is fair, equitable, reasonable and in the best interests of the Debtors, their Estates, and Holders of Claims and Interests. Subject to Article VI hereof, all distributions made to Holders of Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests (as applicable) in any Class are intended to be and shall be final.
Certain Claims and Causes of Action may exist between one or more of the Debtors and one or more of its Affiliates, which Claims and Causes of Action have been settled, and such settlement is reflected in the treatment of the Intercompany Claims and the Claims against and Interests in each Debtor entity. The Plan shall be deemed a motion to approve the good faith compromise and settlement of such Claims and Causes of Action pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019.
B. Restructuring Transactions.
On or before the Effective Date, the applicable Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors shall enter into and shall take any actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effect the Restructuring Transactions. The actions to implement the Restructuring Transactions may include, in accordance with the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights: (1) the execution and delivery of appropriate agreements or other documents of merger, amalgamation, consolidation, restructuring, conversion, disposition, transfer, arrangement, continuance, dissolution, sale, purchase, or liquidation containing terms that are consistent with the terms of the Plan and that satisfy the requirements of applicable Law and any other terms to which the applicable Entities may agree; (2) the execution and delivery of appropriate instruments of transfer, assignment, assumption, or delegation of any asset, property, right, liability, debt, or obligation on terms consistent with the terms of the Plan and having other terms for which the applicable Entities may agree; (3) the execution, delivery, and filing, if applicable, of appropriate certificates or articles of incorporation, formation, reincorporation, merger, consolidation, conversion, amalgamation, arrangement, continuance, or dissolution pursuant to applicable state or provincial law; and (4) all other actions that the applicable Entities determine to be necessary or appropriate, including making filings or recordings that may be required by applicable law in connection with the Plan. The Confirmation Order shall, and shall be deemed to, pursuant to sections 363 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, authorize, among other things, all actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effect any transaction described in, contemplated by, or necessary to effectuate the Plan. On the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall issue all Securities, notes, instruments, certificates, and other documents required to be issued pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions.
27
C. Reorganized Debtors.
On the Effective Date, the New Board shall be established, and the Reorganized Debtors shall adopt their New Organizational Documents. The Reorganized Debtors shall be authorized to adopt any other agreements, documents, and instruments and to take any other actions contemplated under the Plan as necessary to consummate the Plan. Cash payments to be made pursuant to the Plan will be made by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors. The Debtors and Reorganized Debtors will be entitled to transfer funds between and among themselves as they determine to be necessary or appropriate to enable the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, to satisfy their obligations under the Plan. Except as set forth herein, any changes in intercompany account balances resulting from such transfers will be accounted for and settled in accordance with the Debtors’ historical intercompany account settlement practices and will not violate the terms of the Plan.
From and after the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors, in consultation with the Consenting Stakeholders and subject to any applicable limitations set forth in any post-Effective Date agreement, shall have the right and authority without further order of the Bankruptcy Court to raise additional capital and obtain additional financing, subject to the New Organizational Documents and the Exit Facility Documentation, as the boards of directors or boards of managers of the applicable Reorganized Debtors deem appropriate.
D. Sources of Consideration for Plan Distributions.
The Debtors and the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall fund distributions under the Plan with: (1) Cash on hand as of the Effective Date, including the proceeds from the DIP Facility and the Exit Facility, (2) the New Common Stock and the New Preferred Stock, (3) the New Unsecured Notes, and (4) the Rights Offering Subscription Rights.
1. Issuance of New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock.
All existing Interests in Gulfport Parent shall be cancelled as of the Effective Date and on the Effective Date, Reorganized Gulfport Parent shall issue the New Common Stock or New Preferred Stock, as applicable, to each Holder of a Claim or Interest that is entitled to receive New Common Stock or New Preferred Stock in exchange for such Claim or Interest pursuant to the Plan, the Rights Offering, or the Backstop Commitment Agreement (including the Backstop Commitment Premium). The issuance of New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock shall be authorized without the need for any further corporate action and without any further action by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable. The Reorganized Debtors shall be authorized to issue a certain number of shares, units, or equity interests of New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock required to be issued under the Plan and pursuant to their New Organizational Documents. On the Effective Date, the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall issue all Securities, notes, instruments, certificates, and other documents required to be issued pursuant to the Plan.
28
All of the New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock issued or authorized to be issued pursuant to the Plan shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable. Each distribution and issuance referred to in Article VI hereof shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan applicable to such distribution or issuance and by the terms and conditions of the instruments evidencing or relating to such distribution or issuance, which terms and conditions shall bind each Entity receiving such distribution or issuance.
On the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock will be distributed in accordance with the Plan.
2. Exit Facility.
On the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors shall enter into the Exit Facility, the terms of which will be set forth in the Exit Facility Documentation and consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and the Hedging Order; provided that the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, determine that entry into the Exit Facility is in the best interests of the Reorganized Debtors and such determination is acceptable to the Required Consenting Stakeholders.
To the extent applicable, Confirmation of the Plan shall be deemed (a) approval of the Exit Facility (including the transactions and related agreements contemplated thereby and all actions to be taken, undertakings to be made, and obligations to be incurred and fees and expenses to be paid by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, in connection therewith), to the extent not approved by the Bankruptcy Court previously and (c) authorization for the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, to, without further notice to or order of the Bankruptcy Court, (i) execute and deliver those documents and agreements necessary or appropriate to pursue or obtain the Exit Facility, including the Exit Facility Documentation, and incur and pay any fees and expenses in connection therewith, and (ii) act or take action under applicable Law, regulation, order, or rule or vote, consent, authorization, or approval of any Person, subject to such modifications as the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, may deem to be necessary to consummate the Exit Facility; provided that such modifications are acceptable to the Required Consenting Stakeholders.
As of the Effective Date, upon the granting or continuation of Liens in accordance with the Exit Facility Documentation, all of the Liens and security interests to be granted in accordance with the Exit Facility Documentation (a) shall be deemed to be granted, (b) shall be legal, binding, automatically perfected, non-avoidable, and enforceable Liens on, and security interests in, the applicable collateral in accordance with the respective terms of the Exit Facility Documentation, (c) shall be deemed perfected on or prior to the Effective Date, subject only to such Liens and security interests as may be permitted under the respective Exit Facility Documentation, and (d) shall not be subject to avoidance, recharacterization, or equitable subordination for any purposes whatsoever and shall not constitute preferential transfers, fraudulent transfers, or fraudulent conveyances under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable non-bankruptcy law, and the Exit Facility Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Exit Facility Secured Parties shall have a valid, binding, perfected, non-avoidable, and enforceable first-priority lien on and security interest in the Exit Facility Collateral, subject only to such Liens and security interests as permitted under the Exit Facility Documentation, and valid, binding, non-avoidable, and enforceable guarantee and collateral documentation. To the extent provided in the Exit Facility Documentation, the Exit Facility Agents or holder(s) of Liens under the Exit Facility Documentation are authorized to file with the appropriate authorities mortgages, financing statements and other documents, and to take any other action in order to evidence, validate, and perfect such Liens or security interests. The guarantees, mortgages, pledges, Liens, and other security interests granted to secure the obligations arising under the Exit Facility Documentation have been granted in good faith, for legitimate business purposes, and for reasonably equivalent value as an inducement to the lenders thereunder to extent credit thereunder shall be deemed not to constitute a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer and shall not otherwise be subject to avoidance, recharacterization, or subordination for any purposes whatsoever and shall not constitute preferential transfers or fraudulent conveyances under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable nonbankruptcy law, and the priorities of such Liens and security interests shall be as set forth in the Exit Facility Documentation. The Reorganized Debtors and the persons and entities granted such Liens and security interests shall be authorized to make all filings and recordings, and to obtain all governmental approvals and consents necessary to establish and perfect such Liens and security interests under the provisions of the applicable state, federal, or other law that would be applicable in the absence of the Plan and the Confirmation Order (it being understood that perfection shall occur automatically by virtue of the entry of the Confirmation Order and any such filings, recordings, approvals, and consents shall not be required), and will thereafter cooperate to make all other filings and recordings that otherwise would be necessary under applicable law to give notice of such Liens and security interests to third parties.
29
3. Rights Offering.
On the Effective Date, the Debtors will consummate the Rights Offering. The Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall allocate the Rights Offering Subscription Rights to Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Subsidiaries as set forth in the Plan and the Rights Offering Procedures. Upon exercise of the Rights Offering Subscription Rights pursuant to the terms of the Rights Offering Procedures, the Backstop Commitment Agreement, and the Plan, the Reorganized Debtors shall be authorized to issue New Preferred Stock in accordance with the Rights Offering Procedures, the Backstop Commitment Agreement, and the Plan.
The Rights Offering will be conducted on a Pro Rata basis in reliance upon one or more exemptions from registration under the Securities Act, which will include the exemption provided in section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code to the fullest extent available and, to the extent such exemption is not available (and with respect to the New Preferred Stock, only in the proportion required to preserve the availability of such exemption under section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code), the exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder or another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
In addition, on the Distribution Date, New Preferred Stock in an amount equal to the Backstop Commitment Premium shall be distributed to the Backstop Commitment Parties under and as set forth in the Backstop Commitment Agreement. Pursuant to the Backstop Commitment Agreement, the Backstop Commitment Parties shall purchase any New Preferred Stock not subscribed to as set forth in the Backstop Commitment Agreement. On the Effective Date, the rights and obligations of the Debtors under the Backstop Commitment Agreement shall vest in the Reorganized Debtors.
E. Exemption from Registration Requirements.
All New Preferred Stock and New Common Stock issued under the Plan will be exempt from, among other things, the registration and prospectus delivery requirements under the Securities Act or any similar federal, state, or local laws in reliance upon section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code to the maximum extent permitted and applicable and, to the extent that reliance on such section is either not permitted or not applicable, the exemption set forth in section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. All New Preferred Stock and New Common Stock issued pursuant to the exemption from registration set forth in section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder will be considered “restricted securities” and may not be transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an available exemption therefrom.
30
Persons who acquire the New Preferred Stock or New Common Stock pursuant to the exemption from registration set forth in section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder will hold “restricted securities.” Resales of such restricted securities would not be exempted by section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code from registration under the Securities Act or other applicable law. Holders of restricted securities would, however, be permitted to resell New Preferred Stock or New Common Stock without registration if they are able to comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act (if available) or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, or if such Securities are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
All New Preferred Stock or New Common Stock issued to Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Parent, Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Gulfport Subsidiaries, or Existing Interests in Gulfport Parent on account of their Claims or Interests will be issued without registration under the Securities Act or any similar federal, state, or local law in reliance on Section 1145(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, to the extent available, or in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder to the extent reliance on Section 1145(a) of the Bankruptcy Code is not available.
The New Preferred Stock and New Common Stock shall be reflected through the facilities of DTC, and neither the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors, nor any other Person, as applicable, shall be required to provide any further evidence other than the Plan or the Confirmation Order with respect to the treatment of such New Preferred Stock or New Common Stock (to the extent they are deemed to be Securities) to be issued under the Plan under applicable securities laws, and such Plan or Confirmation Order shall be deemed to be legal and binding obligations of the Reorganized Debtors in all respects.
DTC shall be required to accept and conclusively rely upon the Plan and Confirmation Order in lieu of a legal opinion regarding whether the New Preferred Stock and New Common Stock to be issued under the Plan are exempt from registration and/or eligible for DTC book-entry delivery, settlement, and depository services. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, no Entity (including, for the avoidance of doubt, DTC) may require a legal opinion regarding the validity of any transaction contemplated by the Plan, including, for the avoidance of doubt, whether the New Preferred Stock and New Common Stock to be issued under the Plan are exempt from registration and/or eligible for DTC book-entry delivery, settlement, and depository services.
F. Corporate Existence.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or any agreement, instrument, or other document incorporated in the Plan or the Plan Supplement, each Debtor shall continue to exist after the Effective Date as a separate corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other form, as the case may be, with all the powers of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other form, as the case may be, pursuant to the applicable Law in the jurisdiction in which each applicable Debtor is incorporated or formed and pursuant to the respective certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or other formation documents) in effect prior to the Effective Date, except to the extent such certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or other formation documents) are amended under the Plan or otherwise, in each case, consistent with the Plan and the Restructuring Support Agreement (and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights), and to the extent such documents are amended in accordance therewith, such documents are deemed to be amended pursuant to the Plan and require no further action or approval (other than any requisite filings required under applicable state, provincial, or federal law). After the Effective Date, the respective certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or other formation documents) of one or more of the Reorganized Debtors may be amended or modified on the terms therein without supervision or approval by the Bankruptcy Court and free of any restrictions of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Rules. After the Effective Date, one or more of the Reorganized Debtors may be disposed of, dissolved, wound down, or liquidated without supervision or approval by the Bankruptcy Court and free of any restrictions of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Rules.
31
G. Vesting of Assets in the Reorganized Debtors.
Except as otherwise provided in the Confirmation Order, the Plan, or any agreement, instrument, or other document incorporated in, or entered into in connection with or pursuant to, the Plan or Plan Supplement, on the Effective Date, all property in each Estate, all Causes of Action, and any property acquired by any of the Debtors pursuant to the Plan shall vest in each respective Reorganized Debtor, free and clear of all Liens, Claims, charges, or other encumbrances. On and after the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided in the Plan, each Reorganized Debtor may operate its business and may use, acquire, or dispose of property and compromise or settle any Claims, Interests, or Causes of Action without supervision or approval by the Bankruptcy Court and free of any restrictions of the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules.
H. Cancellation of Existing Securities and Agreements.
On the Effective Date, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Plan or the Confirmation Order, all notes, instruments, certificates, credit agreements, indentures, and other documents evidencing Claims or Interests shall be cancelled and the obligations of the Debtors thereunder or in any way related thereto shall be deemed satisfied in full, cancelled, discharged, and of no force or effect. Holders of or parties to such cancelled instruments, Securities, and other documentation will have no rights arising from or relating to such instruments, Securities, and other documentation, or the cancellation thereof, except the rights provided for pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, but subject to any applicable provisions of Article VI hereof, to the extent cancelled pursuant to this paragraph, the DIP Credit Agreement, the RBL Credit Agreement, and the Notes Indentures shall continue in effect solely to the extent necessary to: (1) permit Holders of Claims under the DIP Credit Agreement, the RBL Credit Agreement, and the Notes Indentures to receive their respective Plan Distributions, if any (subject to any applicable charging liens, including, without limitation, the Notes Trustee Charging Lien); (2) permit the Disbursing Agent, as applicable, to make Plan Distributions on account of the Allowed Claims under the DIP Credit Agreement, the RBL Credit Agreement, and the Notes Indentures, as applicable (subject to any applicable charging liens, including, without limitation, the Notes Trustee Charging Lien); (3) permit each of the DIP Agent, RBL Agent, and the Notes Trustee to seek compensation and/or reimbursement for Notes Trustee Fees, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, and preserve any rights of the DIP Agent, RBL Agent, any L/C Issuing Bank, and Notes Trustee to maintain, exercise, and enforce of any applicable rights of indemnity, reimbursement, or contribution, including the RBL/DIP Preserved Rights, and any applicable charging lien, including the Notes Trustee Charging Lien; and (4) permit each of the DIP Agent, RBL Agent, Holders of Claims under the DIP Credit Agreement or the RBL Credit Agreement, L/C Issuing Banks, and the Notes Trustee to appear and be heard in the Chapter 11 Cases or in any proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court, including to enforce any obligation owed to the DIP Agent, the RBL Agent, and the Notes Trustee, or Holders of Claims under the DIP Credit Agreement, the RBL Credit Agreement, and the Notes Indentures, as applicable. Except as provided in the Plan (including Article VI hereof) or as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of the Plan, on the Effective Date, the DIP Agent, RBL Agent, the Notes Trustee, and their respective agents, successors, and assigns, shall be automatically and fully discharged of all of their duties and obligations associated with the DIP Credit Agreement, RBL Credit Agreement, and the Notes Indentures, as applicable. To the extent cancelled in accordance with this paragraph, the commitments and obligations (if any) of the Holders of the Notes and the lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement, and the RBL Credit Agreement to extend any further or future credit or financial accommodations to any of the Debtors, any of their respective subsidiaries or any of their respective successors or assigns under the RBL Credit Agreement, and the Notes Indentures, as applicable, shall fully terminate and be of no further force or effect on the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, nothing herein releases, cancels, or otherwise limits or modifies any obligations of the RBL Lenders or DIP Lenders with respect to the RBL/DIP Preserved Rights.
32
I. Corporate Action.
On the Effective Date, all actions contemplated under the Plan shall be deemed authorized and approved in all respects, including: (1) adoption or assumption, as applicable, of the Compensation and Benefit Programs; (2) selection of the directors or managers, as applicable, and officers for the Reorganized Debtors; (3) the issuance and distribution of the New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock; (4) implementation of the Restructuring Transactions; (5) entry into the Exit Facility Documentation, as applicable; (6) all other actions contemplated under the Plan (whether to occur before, on, or after the Effective Date); (7) adoption, execution, delivery and/or filing of the New Organizational Documents; (8) the rejection, assumption, or assumption and assignment, as applicable, of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; and (9) all other acts or actions contemplated or reasonably necessary or appropriate to promptly consummate the Restructuring Transactions contemplated by the Plan (whether to occur before, on, or after the Effective Date). All matters provided for in the Plan involving the corporate structure of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, and any corporate, partnership, limited liability company, or other governance action required by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have occurred and shall be in effect, without any requirement of further action by the equity holders, members, directors, managers, or officers of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable. On or (as applicable) prior to the Effective Date, the appropriate officers of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall be authorized and (as applicable) directed to issue, execute, and deliver the agreements, documents, Securities, and instruments contemplated under the Plan (or necessary or desirable to effect the transactions contemplated under the Plan) in the name of and on behalf of the Reorganized Debtors, including the New Common Stock and the New Preferred Stock, the New Organizational Documents, the Exit Facility Documentation (as applicable), and any and all other agreements, documents, Securities, and instruments relating to the foregoing. The authorizations and approvals contemplated by this Article IV.I shall be effective notwithstanding any requirements under non-bankruptcy Law.
J. New Organizational Documents.
On or immediately prior to the Effective Date, the New Organizational Documents (which shall be consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Plan, and the Plan Supplement) shall be automatically adopted by the applicable Reorganized Debtors. To the extent required under the Plan or applicable non-bankruptcy Law, each of the Reorganized Debtors will file its New Organizational Documents with the applicable Secretaries of State and/or other applicable authorities in its respective state or country of organization if and to the extent required in accordance with the applicable Laws of the respective state or country of organization. The New Organizational Documents will (a) authorize the issuance of the New Common Stock and the New Preferred Stock and (b) prohibit the issuance of non-voting equity Securities to the extent required under section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code.
After the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors may amend and restate their respective New Organizational Documents in accordance with the terms thereof, and the Reorganized Debtors may file such amended certificates or articles of incorporation, bylaws, or such other applicable formation documents, and other constituent documents as permitted by Laws of the respective states, provinces, or countries of incorporation and the New Organizational Documents.
33
K. Indemnification Obligations.
Consistent with applicable Law, all indemnification provisions in place on and as of the Effective Date (whether in the by-laws, certificates of incorporation or formation, limited liability company agreements, other organizational documents, board resolutions, indemnification agreements, employment contracts, or otherwise) for current and former directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, and other professionals of the Debtors, as applicable, shall be Reinstated and remain intact, irrevocable, and shall survive the effectiveness of the Plan on terms no less favorable to such current and former directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, and other professionals of the Debtors than the indemnification provisions in place prior to the Effective Date.
L. Managers and Officers of the Reorganized Debtors.
As of the Effective Date, the term of the current members of the board of directors of Gulfport Parent shall expire. The New Board will consist of the Reorganized Debtors’ Chief Executive Officer and other directors, all of whom will be selected and appointed in a manner determined by the Required Consenting Noteholders. The identities of directors on the New Board shall be set forth in the Plan Supplement to the extent known at the time of filing.
M. Effectuating Documents; Further Transactions.
On and after the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors, and their respective officers, directors, members, or managers (or other relevant governing body), are authorized to and may issue, execute, deliver, file, or record such contracts, Securities, instruments, releases, and other agreements or documents and take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, implement, and further evidence the terms and conditions of the Plan, Exit Facility entered into, and the Securities issued pursuant to the Plan in the name of and on behalf of the Reorganized Debtors, without the need for any approvals, authorization, or consents except for those expressly required pursuant to the Plan.
N. Section 1146 Exemption.
To the fullest extent permitted by section 1146(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, any transfers (whether from a Debtor to a Reorganized Debtor or to any other Person) of property under the Plan or pursuant to: (1) the issuance, distribution, transfer, or exchange of any debt, equity Security, or other interest in the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, including the New Common Stock and the New Preferred Stock; (2) the Restructuring Transactions; (3) the creation, modification, consolidation, termination, refinancing, and/or recording of any mortgage, deed of trust, or other security interest, or the securing of additional indebtedness by such or other means; (4) the making, assignment, or recording of any lease or sublease; (5) the grant of collateral as security for the Reorganized Debtors’ obligations under and in connection with the Exit Facility; or (6) the making, delivery, or recording of any deed or other instrument of transfer under, in furtherance of, or in connection with, the Plan, including any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, or other instrument of transfer executed in connection with any transaction arising out of, contemplated by, or in any way related to the Plan, shall not be subject to any document recording tax, stamp tax, conveyance fee, intangibles or similar tax, mortgage tax, real estate transfer tax, personal property transfer tax, sales or use tax, mortgage recording tax, Uniform Commercial Code filing or recording fee, regulatory filing or recording fee, or other similar tax or governmental assessment, and upon entry of the Confirmation Order, the appropriate state or local governmental officials or agents shall forego the collection of any such tax or governmental assessment and accept for filing and recordation any of the foregoing instruments or other documents without the payment of any such tax, recordation fee, or governmental assessment. All filing or recording officers (or any other Person with authority over any of the foregoing), wherever located and by whomever appointed, shall comply with the requirements of section 1146(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, shall forego the collection of any such tax or governmental assessment, and shall accept for filing and recordation any of the foregoing instruments or other documents without the payment of any such tax or governmental assessment.
34
O. Director and Officer Liability Insurance.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Reorganized Debtors shall be deemed to have assumed all of the Debtors’ D&O Liability Insurance Policies pursuant to section 365(a) of the Bankruptcy Code effective as of the Effective Date. Entry of the Confirmation Order will constitute the Bankruptcy Court’s approval of the Reorganized Debtors’ foregoing assumption of each of the unexpired D&O Liability Insurance Policies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, Confirmation of the Plan shall not discharge, impair, or otherwise modify any indemnity obligations assumed by the foregoing assumption of the D&O Liability Insurance Policies, and each such indemnity obligation will be deemed and treated as an Executory Contract that has been assumed by the Debtors under the Plan as to which no Proof of Claim need be Filed.
In addition, after the Effective Date, none of the Reorganized Debtors shall terminate or otherwise reduce the coverage under any D&O Liability Insurance Policies in effect on or after the Petition Date, with respect to conduct occurring prior thereto, and all directors, managers and officers of the Debtors who served in such capacity at any time prior to the Effective Date shall be entitled to the full benefits of any such policy for the full term of such policy, to the extent set forth therein, regardless of whether such directors, managers and officers remain in such positions after the Effective Date.
P. Management Incentive Plan.
Effective on the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors may implement the Management Incentive Plan as provided herein. If determined by the New Board, the Management Incentive Plan will provide for 50% of the Management Incentive Plan Pool (the “Initial Pool”) to be allocated within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date to the Management Incentive Plan Participants in the form of restricted stock units (or their economic equivalents) subject to terms (including performance metrics and vesting criteria) to be agreed between the Management Incentive Plan Participants and the New Board; provided that such period shall be extended automatically by an additional thirty (30) days if good faith discussions between the Management Incentive Plan Participants and the New Board regarding the terms of the Management Incentive Plan remain ongoing at the conclusion of the initial sixty (60) day period. If either (a) the New Board does not institute the Management Incentive Plan with respect to the Initial Pool in accordance with the terms of this Article IV.P (including the time periods set forth herein) or (b) the terms of the Initial Pool with respect to any Management Incentive Plan Participant are not satisfactory to such participant in such participant’s sole discretion prior to the expiration of the time periods set forth herein, in either case, such event shall constitute “good reason” under the applicable MIP Employment Agreement; provided that the allocation of the Initial Pool of any Management Incentive Plan Participant (but not any other terms and conditions of the Initial Pool) shall be deemed satisfactory as to such participant if such participant receives at least the applicable percentage of the Initial Pool set forth in the Initial MIP Allocation.
35
Q. Employee and Retiree Benefits.
All Compensation and Benefits Programs shall be assumed by the Reorganized Debtors and shall remain in place as of the Effective Date, and the Reorganized Debtors will continue to honor such agreements, arrangements, programs, and plans. For the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to section 1129(a)(13) of the Bankruptcy Code, from and after the Effective Date, all retiree benefits (as such term is defined in section 1114 of the Bankruptcy Code), if any, shall continue to be paid in accordance with applicable law. On the Effective Date, the Debtors shall assume all employment agreements, indemnification agreements, or other agreements entered into with current and former employees, directors, managers, members, or officers, including the MIP Employment Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, the only employment agreements with severance obligations that will be assumed are the MIP Employment Agreements.
R. Preservation of Causes of Action.
In accordance with section 1123(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, each Reorganized Debtor, as applicable, shall retain and may enforce all rights to commence and pursue, as appropriate, any and all Causes of Action of the Debtors, whether arising before or after the Petition Date, that are specifically enumerated in the Schedule of Retained Causes of Action, and the Reorganized Debtors’ rights to commence, prosecute, or settle such retained Causes of Action shall be preserved notwithstanding the occurrence of the Effective Date or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary.
The Reorganized Debtors may pursue such retained Causes of Action, as appropriate, in accordance with the best interests of the Reorganized Debtors. No Entity may rely on the absence of a specific reference in the Plan, the Plan Supplement, or the Disclosure Statement to any Cause of Action against it as any indication that the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, will not pursue any and all available retained Causes of Action of the Debtors against it. The Debtors and the Reorganized Debtors expressly reserve all rights to prosecute any and all retained Causes of Action against any Entity. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the parties to the applicable Cause of Action, all objections to the Schedule of Retained Causes of Action must be Filed with the Bankruptcy Court on or before thirty days after the Effective Date. Any such objection that is not timely Filed shall be disallowed and forever barred, estopped, and enjoined from assertion against any Reorganized Debtor, without the need for any objection or responsive pleading by the Reorganized Debtors or any other party in interest or any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The Reorganized Debtors may settle any such objection without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court. If there is any dispute regarding the inclusion of any Cause of Action on the Schedule of Retained Causes of Action that remains unresolved by the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, and the objection party for thirty days, such objection shall be resolved by the Bankruptcy Court. Unless any Causes of Action of the Debtors against an Entity are expressly waived, relinquished, exculpated, released, compromised, or settled in the Plan or a Final Order (and for the avoidance of doubt, any Causes of Action on the Schedule of Retained Causes of Action shall not be expressly relinquished, exculpated, released, compromised, or settled in the Plan), the Reorganized Debtors expressly reserve all Causes of Action, for later adjudication, and, therefore, no preclusion doctrine, including the doctrines of res judicata, collateral estoppel, issue preclusion, claim preclusion, estoppel (judicial, equitable, or otherwise), or laches, shall apply to such Causes of Action upon, after, or as a consequence of the Confirmation or Consummation.
The Reorganized Debtors reserve and shall retain such Causes of Action of the Debtors notwithstanding the rejection or repudiation of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease during the Chapter 11 Cases or pursuant to the Plan. In accordance with section 1123(b)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code, any retained Causes of Action that a Debtor may hold against any Entity shall vest in the Reorganized Debtors. The applicable Reorganized Debtors, through their authorized agents or representatives, shall retain and may exclusively enforce any and all such Causes of Action. The Reorganized Debtors shall have the exclusive right, authority, and discretion to determine and to initiate, file, prosecute, enforce, abandon, settle, compromise, release, withdraw, or litigate to judgment any such Causes of Action and to decline to do any of the foregoing without the consent or approval of any third party or further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court. For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything in the Plan or the Plan Supplement to the contrary, neither Midship nor any of its Related Parties shall be a Released Party under the Plan, and the Reorganized Debtors expressly retain and may enforce all rights to commence and pursue, as appropriate, any and all Causes of Action against Midship or its Related Parties notwithstanding the occurrence of the Effective Date.
36
Article
V.
TREATMENT OF EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES
A. Assumption and Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.
On the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided in Article V.H.1 and elsewhere herein, all Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases not otherwise assumed or rejected will be deemed assumed by the applicable Reorganized Debtor in accordance with the provisions and requirements of sections 365 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, other than those that are: (1) identified on the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; (2) previously expired or terminated pursuant to their own terms or agreement of the parties thereto; (3) have been previously assumed or rejected by the Debtors pursuant to a Final Order; (4) are the subject of a motion to reject that is pending on the Effective Date; or (5) have an ordered or requested effective date of rejection that is after the Effective Date; provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall be assumed, assumed and assigned, or rejected without the prior written consent of the Required Consenting Stakeholders.
Entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute an order of the Bankruptcy Court approving the assumptions, assumptions and assignments, or rejections of the Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases as set forth in the Plan, or the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases or Schedule of Proposed Cure Amounts, pursuant to sections 365(a) and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code. Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, assumptions or rejections of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases pursuant to the Plan are effective as of the Effective Date. Each Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease assumed pursuant to the Plan or by Bankruptcy Court order but not assigned to a third party before the Effective Date shall re-vest in and be fully enforceable by the applicable contracting Reorganized Debtor in accordance with its terms, except as such terms may have been modified by the provisions of the Plan or any order of the Bankruptcy Court authorizing and providing for its assumption. Any motions to assume Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases pending on the Effective Date shall be subject to approval by a Final Order on or after the Effective Date but may be withdrawn, settled, or otherwise prosecuted by the Reorganized Debtors.
Except as otherwise provided herein or agreed to by the Debtors and the applicable counterparty, each assumed Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall include all modifications, amendments, supplements, restatements, or other agreements related thereto, and all rights related thereto, if any, including all easements, licenses, permits, rights, privileges, immunities, options, rights of first refusal, and any other interests. Modifications, amendments, supplements, and restatements to prepetition Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases that have been executed by the Debtors during the Chapter 11 Cases shall not be deemed to alter the prepetition nature of the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease or the validity, priority, or amount of any Claims that may arise in connection therewith.
To the maximum extent permitted by Law, any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease assumed or assumed and assigned pursuant to the Plan shall be deemed modified such that the transactions contemplated by the Plan shall not constitute a “change of control” or “assignment” (or terms with similar effect) under, or any other transaction or matter that would result in a violation, breach or default under, or increase, accelerate or otherwise alter any obligations, rights or liabilities of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors under, or result in the creation or imposition of a Lien upon any property or asset of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors pursuant to, the applicable Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, and any consent or advance notice required under such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall be deemed satisfied by Confirmation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, reserve the right to alter, amend, modify, or supplement the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases and the Schedule of Proposed Cure Amounts at any time up to forty-five days after the Effective Date.
37
To the extent any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules require the Debtors to assume or reject an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, such requirement shall be satisfied if the Debtors make an election to assume or reject such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease prior to the deadline set forth by the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules, as applicable, regardless of whether or not the Bankruptcy Court has actually ruled on such proposed assumption or rejection prior to such deadline.
If certain, but not all, of a contract counterparty’s Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases are assumed pursuant to the Plan, the Confirmation Order shall be a determination that such counterparty’s Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases that are being rejected pursuant to the Plan are severable agreements that are not integrated with those Executory Contracts and/or Unexpired Leases that are being assumed pursuant to the Plan. Parties seeking to contest this finding with respect to their Executory Contracts and/or Unexpired Leases must file a timely objection to the Plan on the grounds that their agreements are integrated and not severable, and any such dispute shall be resolved by the Bankruptcy Court at the Confirmation Hearing (to the extent not resolved by the parties prior to the Confirmation Hearing).
B. Claims Based on Rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases.
Unless otherwise provided by a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court, all Proofs of Claim with respect to Claims arising from the rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases, pursuant to the Plan or the Confirmation Order, if any, must be Filed with the Bankruptcy Court within thirty days after the later of (1) the date of entry of an order of the Bankruptcy Court (including the Confirmation Order) approving such rejection, (2) the effective date of such rejection, or (3) the Effective Date. Any Claims arising from the rejection of an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease not Filed with the Bankruptcy Court within such time will be automatically disallowed, forever barred from assertion, and shall not be enforceable against the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, the Estates, or their property without the need for any objection by the Reorganized Debtors or further notice to, or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court or any other Entity, and any Claim arising out of the rejection of the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall be deemed fully satisfied, released, and discharged, notwithstanding anything in the Proof of Claim to the contrary. All Allowed Claims arising from the rejection of the Debtors’ Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases shall be classified as General Unsecured Claims and shall be treated in accordance with, as applicable, (b) or Article III.B(b) of the Plan.
C. Cure of Defaults for Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.
On the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall, in accordance with the Schedule of Proposed Cure Amounts pay all Cure costs relating to Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases that are being assumed under the Plan. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the parties to the applicable Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, all requests for payment of Cure costs that differ from the amounts paid or proposed to be paid by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors to a counterparty must be Filed with the Solicitation Agent on or before fourteen days after the Filing of the Schedule of Proposed Cure Amounts. Any such request that is not timely Filed shall be disallowed and forever barred, estopped, and enjoined from assertion, and shall not be enforceable against any Debtor or Reorganized Debtor, without the need for any objection by the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors or any other party in interest or any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court. Any Cure costs shall be deemed fully satisfied, released, and discharged upon payment by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors of the applicable Cure costs; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Reorganized Debtors from paying any Cure costs despite the failure of the relevant counterparty to file such request for payment of such Cure costs. The Reorganized Debtors also may settle any Cure costs without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court. In addition, any objection to the assumption of an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease under the Plan must be Filed with the Bankruptcy Court on or before the Confirmation Hearing. Any such objection will be scheduled to be heard by the Bankruptcy Court at the Confirmation Hearing or at the Debtors’ or Reorganized Debtors’, as applicable, first scheduled omnibus hearing for which such objection is timely Filed. Any counterparty to an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease that fails to timely object to the proposed assumption of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease will be deemed to have consented to such assumption.
38
If there is any dispute regarding any Cure costs, the ability of the Reorganized Debtors or any assignee to provide “adequate assurance of future performance” within the meaning of section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any other matter pertaining to assumption, then payment of any Cure costs shall occur as soon as reasonably practicable after entry of a Final Order resolving such dispute, approving such assumption (and, if applicable, assignment), or as may be agreed upon by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, and the counterparty to the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease. The Debtors and Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, reserve the right at any time to move to reject any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease based upon the existence of any such unresolved dispute. If the Bankruptcy Court determines that the Allowed Cure cost with respect to any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease is greater than the amount set forth in the Schedule of Proposed Cure Amounts, the Debtors shall have the right to add such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease to the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases, in which case such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease will be deemed rejected as of the Effective Date subject to the applicable counterparty’s right to object to such rejection.
Assumption of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease pursuant to the Plan or otherwise shall result in the full release and satisfaction of any Cures, Claims, or defaults, whether monetary or nonmonetary, including defaults of provisions restricting the change in control or ownership interest composition or any bankruptcy-related defaults, arising at any time prior to the effective date of assumption. Any and all Proofs of Claim based upon Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases that have been assumed in the Chapter 11 Cases, including pursuant to the Confirmation Order, shall be deemed disallowed and expunged as of the later of (1) the date of entry of an order of the Bankruptcy Court (including the Confirmation Order) approving such assumption, (2) the effective date of such assumption or (3) the Effective Date without the need for any objection thereto or any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
D. Preexisting Obligations to the Debtors under Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.
Rejection of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease pursuant to the Plan or otherwise shall not constitute a termination of preexisting obligations owed to the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, under such Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases. In particular, notwithstanding any applicable non-bankruptcy Law to the contrary, the Reorganized Debtors expressly reserve and do not waive any right to receive, or any continuing obligation of a counterparty to provide, warranties or continued maintenance obligations with respect to goods previously purchased by the Debtors pursuant to rejected Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases.
E. Insurance Policies.
Each of the Debtors’ insurance policies and any agreements, documents, or instruments relating thereto, are treated as Executory Contracts under the Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, on the Effective Date, (1) the Debtors shall be deemed to have assumed all insurance policies and any agreements, documents, and instruments relating to coverage of all insured Claims and (2) such insurance policies and any agreements, documents, or instruments relating thereto shall revest in the Reorganized Debtors.
39
F. Reservation of Rights.
Nothing contained in the Plan or the Plan Supplement shall constitute an admission by the Debtors or any other party that any contract or lease is in fact an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease or that any Reorganized Debtor has any liability thereunder. If there is a dispute regarding whether a contract or lease is or was executory or unexpired at the time of assumption or rejection, the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall have forty-five days following entry of a Final Order resolving such dispute to alter their treatment of such contract or lease.
G. Nonoccurrence of Effective Date.
In the event that the Effective Date does not occur, the Bankruptcy Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to any request to extend the deadline for assuming or rejecting Unexpired Leases pursuant to section 365(d)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code.
H. Employee Compensation and Benefits.
1. Compensation and Benefit Programs.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan, all Compensation and Benefits Programs shall be treated as Executory Contracts under the Plan and deemed assumed on the Effective Date pursuant to the provisions of sections 365 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, except for:
(a) | all employee equity or equity-based incentive plans, and any provisions set forth in the Compensation and Benefits Programs that provide for rights to acquire existing Interests in any of the Debtors; |
(b) | Compensation and Benefits Programs that have been rejected pursuant to an order of a Bankruptcy Court; and |
(c) | any Compensation and Benefits Programs that, as of the entry of the Confirmation Order, have been specifically waived by the beneficiaries of any Compensation and Benefits Program. |
Any assumption of Compensation and Benefits Programs pursuant to the terms herein shall be deemed not to trigger (i) any applicable change of control, immediate vesting, termination (similar provisions therein) and (ii) an event of “Good Reason” (or a term of like import), in each case as a result of the consummation of the Restructuring Transactions. No counterparty shall have rights under a Compensation and Benefits Program assumed pursuant to the Plan other than those applicable immediately prior to such assumption.
2. Workers’ Compensation Programs.
As of the Effective Date, except as set forth in the Plan Supplement, the Debtors and the Reorganized Debtors shall continue to honor their obligations under: (a) all applicable workers’ compensation laws in states in which the Reorganized Debtors operate; and (b) the Debtors’ written contracts, agreements, agreements of indemnity, self-insured workers’ compensation bonds, policies, programs, and plans for workers’ compensation and workers’ compensation insurance. All Proofs of Claims on account of workers’ compensation shall be deemed withdrawn automatically and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court; provided, that nothing in the Plan shall limit, diminish, or otherwise alter the Debtors’ or Reorganized Debtors’ defenses, Causes of Action, or other rights under applicable non-bankruptcy Law with respect to any such contracts, agreements, policies, programs, and plans; provided, further, that nothing herein shall be deemed to impose any obligations on the Debtors in addition to what is provided for under applicable state law.
40
I. Contracts and Leases Entered into after the Petition Date.
Contracts and leases entered into after the Petition Date by any Debtor, including any Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases assumed by such Debtor, will be performed by the applicable Debtor or the Reorganized Debtors in the ordinary course of their business. Accordingly, such contracts and leases (including any assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases) will survive and remain unaffected by entry of the Confirmation Order.
J. Royalty and Working Interests.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, all of the Royalty and Working Interests and any agreements, documents, or instruments relating thereto, are treated as and deemed to be Executory Contracts under the Plan. On the Effective Date, pursuant to section 365(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors shall be deemed to have assumed all agreements, documents, and instruments related thereto. Entry of the Confirmation Order will constitute the Bankruptcy Court’s approval of the Reorganized Debtors’ assumption of all such Royalty and Working Interests and related agreements, documents, and instruments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, Confirmation of the Plan shall not discharge, impair, or otherwise modify any obligations assumed by the foregoing assumption of the Royalty and Working Interest obligations, and each such obligation will be deemed and treated as an Executory Contract that has been assumed by the Reorganized Debtors under the Plan as to which no Proof of Claim or Cure Claim need be Filed, and shall survive the Effective Date.
Article
VI.
PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISTRIBUTIONS
A. Distributions on Account of Claims Allowed as of the Effective Date.
Except as otherwise provided herein, in a Final Order, or as otherwise agreed to by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as the case may be, and the Holder of the applicable Allowed Claim on the first Distribution Date, the Reorganized Debtors shall make initial distributions under the Plan on account of Claims Allowed on or before the Effective Date, subject to the Reorganized Debtors’ right to object to Claims; provided, that (1) Allowed Administrative Claims with respect to liabilities incurred by the Debtors in the ordinary course of business during the Chapter 11 Cases or assumed by the Debtors prior to the Effective Date shall be paid or performed in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the terms and conditions of any controlling agreements, course of dealing, course of business, or industry practice, (2) Allowed Priority Tax Claims shall be paid in accordance with Article II.D of the Plan, and (3) Allowed General Unsecured Claims shall be paid in accordance with B of the Plan. To the extent any Allowed Priority Tax Claim is not due and owing on the Effective Date, such Claim shall be paid in full in Cash in accordance with the terms of any agreement between the Debtors and the Holder of such Claim or as may be due and payable under applicable non-bankruptcy law or in the ordinary course of business. Thereafter, a Distribution Date shall occur no less frequently than once in every 90 day period, as necessary, in the Reorganized Debtors’ sole discretion.
B. Disbursing Agent.
Except as otherwise set forth in this Article VI.B, all distributions under the Plan shall be made by the Disbursing Agent. The Disbursing Agent shall not be required to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of its duties.
41
All Plan Distributions to Holders of Notes Claims shall be made to and deemed completed when received by the Notes Trustee. The Notes Trustee shall arrange to deliver such Plan Distributions to or on behalf of such Holders of Notes Claims, subject to the Notes Trustee Charging Lien, and regardless of whether such distributions are made by the Notes Trustee, or by the Disbursing Agent at the reasonable direction of the Notes Trustee, the Notes Trustee Charging Lien shall attach to the Plan Distributions to the Holders of Notes Claims in the same manner as if such Plan Distributions were made through the Notes Trustee. The Notes Trustee may establish its own record date for distribution and shall transfer or direct the transfer of such distributions through the facilities of DTC. The Notes Trustee and the shall have no duties or responsibility relating to any form of distribution that is not DTC eligible and the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) seek the cooperation of DTC with respect to the cancellation of the Notes as of the Effective Date, and (ii) seek the cooperation of the relevant bank and broker participants in the DTC system to facilitate delivery of the distribution directly to the relevant beneficial owners as soon as practicable after the Effective Date.
C. | Rights and Powers of Disbursing Agent. |
1. Powers of the Disbursing Agent.
The Disbursing Agent shall be empowered to: (a) effect all actions and execute all agreements, instruments, and other documents necessary to perform its duties under the Plan; (b) make all distributions contemplated hereby; (c) employ professionals to represent it with respect to its responsibilities; and (d) exercise such other powers as may be vested in the Disbursing Agent by order of the Bankruptcy Court, pursuant to the Plan, or as deemed by the Disbursing Agent to be necessary and proper to implement the provisions hereof.
2. Expenses Incurred On or After the Effective Date.
Except as otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court, the amount of any reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Disbursing Agent on or after the Effective Date (including taxes), and any reasonable compensation and expense reimbursement Claims (including reasonable attorney fees and expenses), made by the Disbursing Agent shall be paid in Cash by the Reorganized Debtors.
D. | Delivery of Distributions and Undeliverable or Unclaimed Distributions. |
1. Record Date for Distribution.
On the Distribution Record Date, the Claims Register shall be closed and any party responsible for making distributions shall instead be authorized and entitled to recognize only those record Holders listed on the Claims Register as of the close of business on the Distribution Record Date. If a Claim, other than one based on a publicly traded Security, is transferred twenty or fewer days before the Distribution Record Date, the Disbursing Agent shall make distributions to the transferee only to the extent practical and, in any event, only if the relevant transfer form contains an unconditional and explicit certification and waiver of any objection to the transfer by the transferor.
2. Delivery of Distributions in General.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Disbursing Agent shall make distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests (as applicable) as of the Distribution Record Date at the address for each such Holder as indicated on the Debtors’ records as of the date of any such distribution; provided, that the manner of such distributions shall be determined at the discretion of the Reorganized Debtors.
42
3. Minimum Distributions.
No Cash payment of less than $250 shall be made to a Holder of an Allowed Claim on account of such Allowed Claim. When any distribution pursuant to the Plan on account of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest (as applicable) would otherwise result in the issuance of a number of shares of New Common Stock or New Preferred Stock that is not a whole number, the actual distribution of shares of New Common Stock or New Preferred Stock shall be rounded as follows: (a) fractions of one-half or greater shall be rounded to the next higher whole number and (b) fractions of less than one-half shall be rounded to the next lower whole number with no further payment therefor. The total number of authorized shares of New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock to be distributed to Holders of Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests hereunder shall be adjusted as necessary to account for the foregoing rounding. No fractional shares of New Common Stock or New Preferred Stock shall be distributed and no Cash shall be distributed in lieu of such fractional amounts.
4. Undeliverable and Unclaimed Distributions.
If any distribution to a Holder of an Allowed Claim is returned to the Disbursing Agent as undeliverable, no distribution shall be made to such Holder unless and until the Disbursing Agent is notified in writing of such Holder’s then-current address or other necessary information for delivery, at which time all currently due missed distributions shall be made to such Holder on the next Distribution Date without interest. Undeliverable distributions shall remain in the possession of the Reorganized Debtors until such time as a distribution becomes deliverable, or such distribution reverts to the Reorganized Debtors or is cancelled pursuant to this Article VI.D.4, and shall not be supplemented with any interest, dividends, or other accruals of any kind.
Any distribution under the Plan that is an Unclaimed Distribution or remains undeliverable for a period of six months after distribution shall be deemed unclaimed property under section 347(b) of the Bankruptcy Code and such Unclaimed Distribution or undeliverable distribution shall revest in the applicable Reorganized Debtor automatically (and without need for a further order by the Bankruptcy Court, notwithstanding any applicable federal, provincial, or estate escheat, abandoned, or unclaimed property laws to the contrary) and, to the extent such Unclaimed Distribution is comprised of New Common Stock or New Preferred Stock, such New Common Stock or New Preferred Stock shall be cancelled. Upon such revesting, the Claim of the Holder or its successors with respect to such property shall be cancelled, discharged, and forever barred notwithstanding any applicable federal or state escheat, abandoned, or unclaimed property laws, or any provisions in any document governing the distribution that is an Unclaimed Distribution, to the contrary. [The Disbursing Agent shall adjust the distributions of New Common Stock to reflect any such cancellation.]
5. Surrender of Cancelled Instruments or Securities.
On the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, each holder of a certificate or instrument evidencing a Claim or an Interest that has been cancelled in accordance with Article IV.H hereof shall be deemed to have surrendered such certificate or instrument to the Disbursing Agent. Such surrendered certificate or instrument shall be cancelled solely with respect to the Debtors, and such cancellation shall not alter the obligations or rights of any non-Debtor third parties vis-à-vis one another with respect to such certificate or instrument, including with respect to any indenture or agreement that governs the rights of the Holder of a Claim or Interest, which shall continue in effect for purposes of allowing Holders to receive distributions under the Plan, charging liens, priority of payment, and indemnification rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this paragraph shall not apply to certificates or instruments evidencing Claims that are Unimpaired under the Plan.
43
E. Manner of Payment.
1. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or any agreement, instrument, or other document incorporated in the Plan or the Plan Supplement, all distributions of the New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock to the Holders of the applicable Allowed Claims or Interests under the Plan shall be made by the Disbursing Agent on behalf of the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, as applicable.
2. All distributions of Cash to the Holders of the applicable Allowed Claims under the Plan shall be made by the Disbursing Agent on behalf of the applicable Debtor or Reorganized Debtor.
3. At the option of the Disbursing Agent, any Cash payment to be made hereunder may be made by check or wire transfer or as otherwise required or provided in applicable agreements.
F. Indefeasible Distributions.
Any and all distributions made under the Plan shall be indefeasible and not subject to clawback or turnover provisions.
G. Section 1145 Exemption.
Pursuant to section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, the offer, issuance and distribution of the New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock, as contemplated by Article III.B hereof, shall be exempt from, among other things, the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act and any other applicable Law requiring registration prior to the offering, issuance, distribution, or sale of Securities, to the maximum extent possible. Prior to the Petition Date, the offering of such New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock shall be exempt from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder. In addition, under section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, such New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock will be freely tradable in the U.S. by the recipients thereof, subject to the provisions of (i) section 1145 (b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code relating to the definition of an underwriter in section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, (ii) compliance with applicable securities laws and any rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, if any, applicable at the time of any future transfer of such Securities or instruments, and (iii) any restrictions in the Reorganized Debtors’ New Organizational Documents.
H. Compliance with Tax Requirements.
In connection with the Plan, to the extent applicable, the Debtors, Reorganized Debtors, Disbursing Agent, and any applicable withholding agent shall comply with all tax withholding and reporting requirements imposed on them by any Governmental Unit, and all distributions made pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to such withholding and reporting requirements. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, such parties shall be authorized to take all actions necessary or appropriate to comply with such withholding and reporting requirements, including liquidating a portion of the distribution to be made under the Plan to generate sufficient funds to pay applicable withholding taxes, withholding distributions pending receipt of information necessary to facilitate such distributions, or establishing any other mechanisms they believe are reasonable and appropriate. The Debtors and Reorganized Debtors reserve the right to allocate all distributions made under the Plan in compliance with all applicable wage garnishments, alimony, child support, and similar spousal awards, Liens, and encumbrances.
44
I. Allocations.
Distributions in respect of Allowed Claims shall be allocated first to the principal amount of such Claims (as determined for federal income tax purposes) and then, to the extent the consideration exceeds the principal amount of the Claims, to any portion of such Claims for accrued but unpaid interest.
J. No Postpetition Interest on Claims.
Unless otherwise specifically provided for in the DIP Orders, the Plan, or the Confirmation Order, or required by applicable bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy Law, postpetition interest shall not accrue or be paid on any prepetition Claims, and no Holder of a Claim shall be entitled to interest accruing on or after the Petition Date on such Claim. Additionally, and without limiting the foregoing, interest shall not accrue or be paid on any Disputed Claim with respect to the period from the Effective Date to the date a final distribution is made on account of such Disputed Claim, if and when such Disputed Claim becomes an Allowed Claim.
K. Foreign Currency Exchange Rate.
Except as otherwise provided in a Bankruptcy Court order, as of the Effective Date, any Claim asserted in currency other than U.S. dollars shall be automatically deemed converted to the equivalent U.S. dollar value using the exchange rate for the applicable currency as published in The Wall Street Journal, National Edition, on the Effective Date.
L. Setoffs and Recoupment.
Except as expressly provided in the Plan, each Reorganized Debtor may, pursuant to section 553 of the Bankruptcy Code, set off and/or recoup against any Plan Distributions to be made on account of any Allowed Claim, any and all claims, rights, and Causes of Action that such Reorganized Debtor may hold against the Holder of such Allowed Claim to the extent such setoff or recoupment is either (1) agreed in amount among the relevant Reorganized Debtor(s) and the Holder of the Allowed Claim or (2) otherwise adjudicated by the Bankruptcy Court or another court of competent jurisdiction; provided, that neither the failure to effectuate a setoff or recoupment nor the allowance of any Claim hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release by a Reorganized Debtor or its successor of any and all claims, rights, and Causes of Action that such Reorganized Debtor or its successor may possess against the applicable Holder. In no event shall any Holder of a Claim be entitled to recoup such Claim against any claim, right, or Cause of Action of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, unless such Holder actually has performed such recoupment and provided notice thereof in writing to the Debtors in accordance with Article XIII.F hereof on or before the Effective Date, notwithstanding any indication in any Proof of Claim or otherwise that such Holder asserts, has, or intends to preserve any right of recoupment.
M. Claims Paid or Payable by Third Parties.
1. Claims Paid by Third Parties.
The Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall reduce in full a Claim, and such Claim shall be disallowed without a Claims objection having to be Filed and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, to the extent that the Holder of such Claim receives payment in full on account of such Claim from a party that is not a Debtor or a Reorganized Debtor. Subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, to the extent a Holder of a Claim receives a distribution on account of such Claim and receives payment from a party that is not a Debtor or a Reorganized Debtor on account of such Claim, such Holder shall, within fourteen calendar days of receipt thereof, repay or return the distribution to the applicable Reorganized Debtor, to the extent the Holder’s total recovery on account of such Claim from the third party and under the Plan exceeds the amount of such Claim as of the date of any such distribution under the Plan. The failure of such Holder to timely repay or return such distribution shall result in the Holder owing the applicable Reorganized Debtor annualized interest at the Federal Judgment Rate on such amount owed for each Business Day after the fourteen-day grace period specified above until the amount is repaid.
45
2. Claims Payable by Third Parties.
No distributions under the Plan shall be made on account of an Allowed Claim that is payable pursuant to one of the Debtors’ insurance policies until the Holder of such Allowed Claim has exhausted all remedies with respect to such insurance policy. To the extent that one or more of the Debtors’ insurers agrees to satisfy in full or in part a Claim (if and to the extent adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction), then immediately upon such insurers’ agreement, the applicable portion of such Claim may be expunged without a Claims objection having to be Filed and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
3. Applicability of Insurance Policies.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims shall be in accordance with the provisions of any applicable insurance policy. Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute or be deemed a waiver of any Cause of Action that the Debtors or any Entity may hold against any other Entity, including insurers under any policies of insurance, nor shall anything contained herein constitute or be deemed a waiver by such insurers of any defenses, including coverage defenses, held by such insurers.
Article
VII.
PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING CONTINGENT,
UNLIQUIDATED, AND DISPUTED CLAIMS
A. Allowance of Claims.
After the Effective Date, each of the Reorganized Debtors shall have and retain any and all rights and defenses the applicable Debtor had with respect to any Claim or Interest immediately before the Effective Date. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or in any order entered in the Chapter 11 Cases before the Effective Date (including the Confirmation Order), no Claim or Interest shall become an Allowed Claim or Interest unless and until such Claim or Interest, as applicable, is deemed Allowed under the Plan or the Bankruptcy Code, or the Bankruptcy Court has entered a Final Order, including the Confirmation Order (when it becomes a Final Order), in the Chapter 11 Cases allowing such Claim.
B. Claims Administration Responsibilities.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan and notwithstanding any requirements that may be imposed pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, after the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors shall have the sole authority to: (1) File and prosecute objections to Claims; (2) settle, compromise, withdraw, litigate to judgment, or otherwise resolve objections to any and all Claims, regardless of whether such Claims are in a Class or otherwise; (3) settle, compromise, or resolve any Disputed Claim without any further notice to or action, order, or approval by the Bankruptcy Court; and (4) administer and adjust the Claims Register to reflect any such settlements or compromises without any further notice to or action, order, or approval by the Bankruptcy Court. After the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors shall resolve Disputed Claims in accordance with their fiduciary duties and pursuant to the terms of the Plan.
46
C. Estimation of Claims.
Before, on, or after the Effective Date, the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, may (but are not required to) at any time request that the Bankruptcy Court estimate any Claim pursuant to applicable law, including pursuant to section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code and/or Bankruptcy Rule 3012 for any reason, regardless of whether any party previously has objected to such Claim or whether the Bankruptcy Court has ruled on any such objection, and the Bankruptcy Court shall retain jurisdiction to estimate any such Claim, including during the litigation of any objection to any Claim or during the pendency of any appeal relating to such objection. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan, a Claim that has been expunged from the Claims Register, but that either is subject to appeal or has not been the subject of a Final Order, shall be deemed to be estimated at zero dollars, unless otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. In the event that the Bankruptcy Court estimates any Claim and does not provide otherwise, such estimated amount shall constitute a maximum limitation on such Claim for all purposes under the Plan (including for purposes of distributions and discharge) and may be used as evidence in any supplemental proceedings, and the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors may elect to pursue any supplemental proceedings to object to any ultimate distribution on such Claim. Notwithstanding section 502(j) of the Bankruptcy Code, in no event shall any Holder of a Claim that has been estimated pursuant to section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise be entitled to seek reconsideration of such estimation unless such Holder has Filed a motion requesting the right to seek such reconsideration on or before seven (7) days after the date on which such Claim is estimated. Each of the foregoing Claims and objection, estimation, and resolution procedures are cumulative and not exclusive of one another. Claims may be estimated and subsequently compromised, settled, withdrawn, or resolved by any mechanism approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
D. Disputed Claims Reserve.
On or before the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors shall establish one or more reserves of New Common Stock for those General Unsecured Claims that are Disputed Claims as of the Distribution Record Date (for the avoidance of doubt, deducting such amounts from the Existing Interests Equity Pool), which reserves shall be administered by the Disbursing Agent. After the Effective Date, the Disbursing Agent shall hold such New Common Stock in such reserve(s) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of General Unsecured Claims that are Disputed Claims as of the Distribution Record Date, that are ultimately determined to be Allowed after the Distribution Record Date. The Disbursing Agent shall distribute such amounts (net of any expenses, including any taxes relating thereto), as provided herein, as such Claims are resolved by a Final Order or agreed to by settlement, and such amounts will be distributable on account of such Claims as such amounts would have been distributable had such Claims been Allowed Claims as of the Effective Date under Article III of the Plan solely to the extent of the amounts available in the applicable reserve(s).
Upon a Disputed Claim becoming disallowed by a Final Order, the applicable amount of New Common Stock that was in the disputed claims reserve on account of such Disputed Claim shall be canceled by the Reorganized Debtors. [The Disbursing Agent shall adjust the distributions of New Common Stock to reflect any such cancellation].
Any assets held in a disputed claims reserve shall be subject to the tax rules that apply to “disputed ownership funds” under 26 C.F.R. 1.468B–9. As such, such assets will be subject to entity-level taxation, and the Reorganized Debtors shall be required to comply with the relevant rules.
E. Adjustment to Claims or Interests without Objection.
Any duplicate Claim or Interest or any Claim or Interest that has been paid, satisfied, amended, or superseded may be adjusted or expunged on the Claims Register by the Reorganized Debtors without the Reorganized Debtors having to File an application, motion, complaint, objection, or any other legal proceeding seeking to object to such Claim or Interest and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
47
F. Time to File Objections to Claims.
Any objections to Claims or Interests shall be Filed on or before the later of (i) 180 days after the Effective Date and (ii) such other period of limitation as may be specifically fixed by the Bankruptcy Court upon a motion by the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors.
G. Disallowance of Claims or Interests.
Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, all Claims and Interests of any Entity from which property is sought by the Debtors under sections 542, 543, 550, or 553 of the Bankruptcy Code or that the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors allege is a transferee of a transfer that is avoidable under sections 522(f), 522(h), 544, 545, 547, 548, 549, or 724(a) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be disallowed if: (a) the Entity, on the one hand, and the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, on the other hand, agree or the Bankruptcy Court has determined by Final Order that such Entity or transferee is liable to turn over any property or monies under any of the aforementioned sections of the Bankruptcy Code; and (b) such Entity or transferee has failed to turn over such property by the date set forth in such agreement or Final Order.
Except as otherwise provided herein or as agreed to by the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors, any and all Proofs of Claim Filed after the Claims Bar Date shall be deemed disallowed and expunged as of the Effective Date without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, and Holders of such Claims may not receive any distributions on account of such Claims, unless such late Proof of Claim has been deemed timely Filed by a Final Order.
H. Amendments to Claims.
On or after the Effective Date, a Claim may not be Filed or amended without the prior authorization of the Bankruptcy Court or the Reorganized Debtors, and any such new or amended Claim Filed shall be deemed disallowed in full and expunged without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court to the maximum extent provided by applicable law.
I. No Distributions Pending Allowance.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if any portion of a Claim or Interest is a Disputed Claim or Interest, as applicable, no payment or distribution provided hereunder shall be made on account of such Claim or Interest unless and until such Disputed Claim or Interest becomes an Allowed Claim or Interest; provided, that if only the Allowed amount of an otherwise valid Claim or Interest is Disputed, such Claim or Interest shall be deemed Allowed in the amount not Disputed and payment or distribution shall be made on account of such undisputed amount.
J. Distributions After Allowance.
To the extent that a Disputed Claim or Interest ultimately becomes an Allowed Claim or Interest, distributions (if any) shall be made to the Holder of such Allowed Claim or Interest in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. As soon as reasonably practicable after the date that the order or judgment of the Bankruptcy Court allowing any Disputed Claim or Interest becomes a Final Order, the Disbursing Agent shall provide to the Holder of such Claim or Interest the distribution (if any) to which such Holder is entitled under the Plan as of the Effective Date, without any interest to be paid on account of such Claim or Interest.
K. Single Satisfaction of Claims.
Holders of Allowed Claims or Allowed Interests may assert such Claims against the Debtors obligated with respect to such Claims, and such Claims shall be entitled to share in the recovery provided for the applicable Claim or Interest against the Debtors based upon the full Allowed amount of such Claims or Interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no case shall the aggregate value of all property received or retained under the Plan on account of any Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest exceed 100 percent of the underlying Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest.
48
Article
VIII.
SETTLEMENT, RELEASE, INJUNCTION, AND RELATED PROVISIONS
A. Discharge of Claims and Termination of Interests.
Pursuant to section 1141(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, and except as otherwise specifically provided in the Definitive Documents, the Plan, or in any contract, instrument, or other agreement or document created or entered into pursuant to the Plan, the distributions, rights, and treatment that are provided in the Plan shall be in complete satisfaction, discharge, and release, effective as of the Effective Date, of Claims (including any Intercompany Claims resolved or compromised after the Effective Date by the Reorganized Debtors), Interests, and Causes of Action of any nature whatsoever, including any interest accrued on Claims or Interests from and after the Petition Date, whether known or unknown, against, liabilities of, Liens on, obligations of, rights against, and interests in, the Debtors or any of their assets or properties, regardless of whether any property shall have been distributed or retained pursuant to the Plan on account of such Claims and Interests, including demands, liabilities, and Causes of Action that arose before the Effective Date, any liability (including withdrawal liability) to the extent such Claims or Interests relate to services performed by employees of the Debtors prior to the Effective Date and that arise from a termination of employment, any contingent or non-contingent liability on account of representations or warranties issued on or before the Effective Date, and all debts of the kind specified in sections 502(g), 502(h), or 502(i) of the Bankruptcy Code, in each case whether or not: (1) a Proof of Claim based upon such debt or right is Filed or deemed Filed pursuant to section 501 of the Bankruptcy Code; (2) a Claim or Interest based upon such debt, right, or interest is Allowed pursuant to section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code; or (3) the Holder of such a Claim or Interest has accepted the Plan. Any default by the Debtors or their Affiliates with respect to any Claim or Interest that existed immediately prior to or on account of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases shall be deemed cured on the Effective Date. The Confirmation Order shall be a judicial determination of the discharge of all Claims (other than the Reinstated Claims) and Interests (other than the Intercompany Interests that are Reinstated) subject to the occurrence of the Effective Date.
B. Release of Liens.
Except as otherwise provided in the Exit Facility Documentation, the Plan, the Confirmation Order, or in any contract, instrument, release, or other agreement or document created pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date and concurrently with the applicable distributions made pursuant to the Plan and, in the case of a Secured Claim, satisfaction in full of the portion of the Secured Claim that is Allowed as of the Effective Date, except for Other Secured Claims that the Debtors elect to Reinstate in accordance with the Plan, all mortgages, deeds of trust, Liens, pledges, or other security interests against any property of the Estates shall be fully released and discharged, and all of the right, title, and interest of any Holder of such mortgages, deeds of trust, Liens, pledges, or other security interests shall revert to the Reorganized Debtors and their successors and assigns, in each case, without any further approval or order of the Bankruptcy Court and without any action or Filing being required to be made by the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors, or any other Holder of a Secured Claim. Any Holder of such Secured Claim (and the applicable agents for such Holder) shall be authorized and directed, at the sole cost and expense of the Reorganized Debtors, to release any collateral or other property of any Debtor (including any cash collateral and possessory collateral) held by such Holder (and the applicable agents for such Holder), and to take such actions as may be reasonably requested by the Reorganized Debtors to evidence the release of such Liens and/or security interests, including the execution, delivery, and filing or recording of such releases. The presentation or filing of the Confirmation Order to or with any federal, state, provincial, or local agency, records office, or department shall constitute good and sufficient evidence of, but shall not be required to effect, the termination of such mortgages, deeds of trust, Liens, pledges, and other security interests.
49
To the extent that any Holder of a Secured Claim that has been satisfied or discharged in full pursuant to the Plan, or any agent for such Holder, has filed or recorded publicly any Liens and/or security interests to secure such Holder’s Secured Claim, then as soon as practicable on or after the Effective Date, such Holder (or the agent for such Holder) shall take any and all steps requested by the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors, or the Exit Facility Agents that are necessary or desirable to record or effectuate the cancellation and/or extinguishment of such Liens and/or security interests, including the making of any applicable filings or recordings, and the Reorganized Debtors shall be entitled to make any such filings or recordings on such Holder’s behalf.
C. Releases by the Debtors.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, pursuant to section 1123(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, for good and valuable consideration, on and after the Effective Date, each Released Party is deemed released and discharged by the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors, and their Estates from any and all claims and Causes of Action, whether known or unknown, including any derivative claims, asserted by or on behalf of the Debtors, that the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors, or their Estates (as applicable) would have been legally entitled to assert in their own right (whether individually or collectively) or on behalf of the Holder of any Claim against or Interest in a Debtor or other Entity, or that any Holder of any Claim against or Interest in a Debtor or other Entity could have asserted on behalf of the Debtors, based on or relating to or in any manner arising from in whole or in part, the Debtors (including the management, ownership, or operation thereof), any Securities issued by the Debtors and the ownership thereof, the Debtors’ in or out of court restructuring efforts, any Avoidance Actions (but excluding Avoidance Actions brought as counterclaims or defenses to Claims asserted against the Debtors), the RBL Facility, any intercompany transactions, the Chapter 11 Cases and any related adversary proceedings, the formulation, preparation, dissemination, solicitation, negotiation, entry into, or filing of the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Disclosure Statement, the DIP Facility, the Plan, the Plan Supplement, the Exit Facility, or any Restructuring Transaction, contract, instrument, release, or other agreement or document (including any legal opinion requested by any Entity regarding any transaction, contract instrument, document, or other agreement contemplated by the Plan or the reliance by any Released Party on the Plan or the Confirmation Order in lieu of such legal opinion) created or entered into in connection with the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Disclosure Statement, the DIP Facility, the Exit Facility, the Rights Offering, the Backstop Commitment Agreement, the Plan, or the Plan Supplement, the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the pursuit of Confirmation, the pursuit of Consummation, the administration and implementation of the Plan, including the issuance or distribution of Securities pursuant to the Plan, or the distribution of property under the Plan or any other related agreement, or upon any other related act or omission, transaction, agreement, event, or other occurrence taking place on or before the Effective Date.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the releases set forth above do not release: (i) any post-Effective Date obligations of any party or Entity under the Plan, the Confirmation Order, any Restructuring Transaction, any Definitive Document, or any other document, instrument, or agreement (including those set forth in the Plan Supplement) executed to implement the Plan or the Restructuring Transactions; or (ii) the rights of any Holder of Allowed Claims to receive distributions under the Plan.
50
Entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute the Bankruptcy Court’s approval, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, of the Debtor release, which includes by reference each of the related provisions and definitions contained in the Plan, and further, shall constitute the Bankruptcy Court’s finding that the Debtor release is: (a) in exchange for the good and valuable consideration provided by the Released Parties; (b) a good faith settlement and compromise of the claims or Causes of Action released by the Debtor release; (c) in the best interests of the Debtors, the Estates, and all Holders of Claims and Interests; (d) fair, equitable and reasonable; (e) given and made after reasonable investigation by the Debtors and after notice and opportunity for hearing; and (f) a bar to any of the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors, or the Estates asserting any claim or Cause of Action released by the Debtor release against any of the Released Parties.
D. Releases by the Releasing Parties.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, as of the Effective Date, each Releasing Party is deemed to have released and discharged each Debtor, Reorganized Debtor, and Released Party from any and all claims and Causes of Action, whether known or unknown, including any derivative claims, asserted on behalf of the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors, or their Estates (as applicable) that such Entity would have been legally entitled to assert (whether individually or collectively), based on or relating to or in any manner arising from, in whole or in part, the Debtors (including the management, ownership, or operation thereof), any Securities issued by the Debtors and the ownership thereof, the Debtors’ in or out of court restructuring efforts, any Avoidance Actions (but excluding Avoidance Actions brought as counterclaims or defenses to Claims asserted against the Debtors), the RBL Facility, any intercompany transactions, the Chapter 11 Cases, the formulation, preparation, dissemination, solicitation, negotiation, entry into, or filing of the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Disclosure Statement, the DIP Facility, the Plan, the Plan Supplement, the Exit Facility, or any Restructuring Transaction, contract, instrument, release, or other agreement or document (including any legal opinion requested by any Entity regarding any transaction, contract, instrument, document, or other agreement contemplated by the Plan or the reliance by any Released Party on the Plan or the Confirmation Order in lieu of such legal opinion) created or entered into in connection with the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Disclosure Statement, the DIP Facility, the Exit Facility, the Rights Offering, the Backstop Commitment Agreement, the Plan, the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the pursuit of Confirmation, the pursuit of Consummation, the administration and implementation of the Plan, including the issuance or distribution of Securities pursuant to the Plan, or the distribution of property under the Plan or any other related agreement, or upon any other related act or omission, transaction, agreement, event, or other occurrence taking place on or before the Effective Date.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the releases set forth above do not release: (i) any post-Effective Date obligations of any party or Entity under the Plan, the Confirmation Order, any Restructuring Transaction, any Definitive Document, or any other document, instrument, or agreement (including those set forth in the Plan Supplement) executed to implement the Plan or the Restructuring Transactions, including the Exit RBL/Term Loan A Facility Documentation and the Exit Term Loan B Facility Documentation; (ii) the rights of any Holder of Allowed Claims to receive distributions under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a release, waiver, discharge, or other limitation or modification of any of the RBL/DIP Preserved Rights.
51
Entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute the Bankruptcy Court’s approval, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, of the third-party release, which includes by reference each of the related provisions and definitions contained in the Plan, and, further, shall constitute the Bankruptcy Court’s finding that the third-party release is: (a) consensual; (b) essential to the Confirmation; (c) given in exchange for the good and valuable consideration provided by the Released Parties, including, without limitation, the Released Parties’ contributions to facilitating the restructuring and implementing the Plan; (d) a good faith settlement and compromise of the claims or Causes of Action released by the third-party release; (e) in the best interests of the Debtors and their Estates; (f) fair, equitable, and reasonable; (g) given and made after due notice and opportunity for hearing; and (h) a bar to any of the Releasing Parties asserting any claim or Cause of Action released pursuant to the third-party release.
E. Exculpation.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or the Confirmation Order, no Exculpated Party shall have or incur liability for, and each Exculpated Party shall be released and exculpated from any claims and Cause of Action for any claim related to any act or omission in connection with, relating to, or arising out of, the Chapter 11 Cases, the formulation, preparation, dissemination, negotiation, filing, or termination of the Restructuring Support Agreement and related prepetition transactions (including the RBL Credit Agreement, the Notes Indentures or the Notes), the Disclosure Statement, the Plan, the DIP Facility, the Exit Facility Documentation, the Plan Supplement, or any Restructuring Transaction, contract, instrument, release or other agreement or document (including any legal opinion requested by any Entity regarding any transaction, contract, instrument, document, or other agreement contemplated by the Plan or the reliance by any Released Party on the Plan or the Confirmation Order in lieu of such legal opinion) created or entered into in connection with the Disclosure Statement, the Restructuring Support Agreement, the DIP Facility, the Exit Facility, the Rights Offering, the Backstop Commitment Agreement, the Plan, or the Plan Supplement, the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the pursuit of Confirmation, the pursuit of Consummation, the administration and implementation of the Plan, including the issuance or distribution of Securities pursuant to the Plan, or the distribution of property under the Plan or any other related agreement, or upon any other related act or omission, transaction, agreement, event, or other occurrence taking place on or before the Effective Date, except for claims related to any act or omission that is determined in a Final Order by a court of competent jurisdiction to have constituted actual fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence, but in all respects such Entities shall be entitled to reasonably rely upon the advice of counsel with respect to their duties and responsibilities pursuant to the Plan.
The Exculpated Parties have, and upon Confirmation shall be deemed to have, participated in good faith and in compliance with the applicable laws with regard to the solicitation of votes and distribution of consideration pursuant to the Plan and, therefore, are not, and on account of such distributions shall not be, liable at any time for the violation of any applicable law, rule, or regulation governing the solicitation of acceptances or rejections of the Plan or such distributions made pursuant to the Plan.
52
F. Injunction.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or the Confirmation Order or for obligations or distributions issued or required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the Confirmation Order, all Entities who have held, hold, or may hold the Released Claims are permanently enjoined from and after the Effective Date, from taking any of the following actions against, as applicable, the Debtors, the Reorganized Debtors, the Exculpated Parties, or the Released Parties: (1) commencing or continuing in any manner any action, suit, or other proceeding of any kind on account of or in connection with or with respect to any Released Claims; (2) enforcing, attaching, collecting, or recovering by any manner or means any judgment, award, decree, or order against such Entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any Released Claims; (3) creating, perfecting, or enforcing any lien or encumbrance of any kind against such Entities or the Estates of such Entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any Released Claims; (4) asserting any right of setoff, subrogation, or recoupment of any kind against any obligation due from such Entities or against the property or the Estates of such Entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any Released Claims unless such Entity has Filed a motion requesting the right to perform such setoff on or before the Effective Date, and notwithstanding an indication of a Claim or Interest or otherwise that such Entity asserts, has, or intends to preserve any right of setoff pursuant to applicable Law or otherwise; and (5) commencing or continuing in any manner any action or other proceeding of any kind on account of or in connection with or with respect to any Released Claims released or settled pursuant to the Plan.
Upon entry of the Confirmation Order, all Holders of Claims and Interests and their respective current and former employees, agents, officers, directors, managers, principals, and direct and indirect Affiliates, in their capacities as such, shall be enjoined from taking any actions to interfere with the implementation or Consummation of the Plan. Each Holder of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest, as applicable, by accepting, or being eligible to accept, distributions under or Reinstatement of such Claim or Interest, as applicable, pursuant to the Plan, shall be deemed to have consented to the injunction provisions set forth in this Article VIII.F hereof.
G. Protections Against Discriminatory Treatment.
Consistent with section 525 of the Bankruptcy Code and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, all Entities, including Governmental Units, shall not discriminate against the Reorganized Debtors or deny, revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a license, permit, charter, franchise, or other similar grant to, condition such a grant to, discriminate with respect to such a grant against, the Reorganized Debtors, or another Entity with whom the Reorganized Debtors have been associated, solely because each Debtor has been a debtor under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, has been insolvent before the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases (or during the Chapter 11 Cases but before the Debtors are granted or denied a discharge), or has not paid a debt that is dischargeable in the Chapter 11 Cases.
H. Document Retention.
On and after the Effective Date, the Reorganized Debtors may maintain documents in accordance with their standard document retention policy, as may be altered, amended, modified, or supplemented by the Reorganized Debtors.
I. Reimbursement or Contribution.
If the Bankruptcy Court disallows a Claim for reimbursement or contribution of an Entity pursuant to section 502(e)(1)(B) of the Bankruptcy Code, then to the extent that such Claim is contingent as of the time of allowance or disallowance, such Claim shall be forever disallowed and expunged notwithstanding section 502(j) of the Bankruptcy Code, unless prior to the Confirmation Date: (1) such Claim has been adjudicated as non-contingent or (2) the relevant Holder of a Claim has Filed a non-contingent Proof of Claim on account of such Claim and a Final Order has been entered prior to the Confirmation Date determining such Claim as no longer contingent.
53
Article
IX.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CONSUMMATION OF THIS PLAN
A. Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date.
It shall be a condition to the Effective Date that the following conditions shall have been satisfied or waived pursuant to the provisions of Article IX.B hereof:
1. the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered the Confirmation Order, which shall:
(a) | be in form and substance consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement and acceptable to the Required Consenting Stakeholders; |
(b) | authorize the Debtors to take all actions necessary to enter into, implement, and consummate the contracts, instruments, releases, leases, indentures, and other agreements or documents created in connection with the Plan; |
(c) | decree that the provisions of the Confirmation Order and the Plan are nonseverable and mutually dependent; |
(d) | authorize the Debtors and Reorganized Debtors, as applicable or necessary, to, among other things: (i) implement the Restructuring Transactions; (ii) issue and distribute the New Common Stock and New Preferred Stock pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code or other exemption from such registration or pursuant to one or more registration statements; (iii) make all distributions and issuances as required under the Plan; including Cash, the New Common Stock, and the New Preferred Stock; and (iv) enter into any agreements and transactions as necessary to effectuate the Restructuring Transactions; |
(e) | authorize the implementation of the Plan in accordance with its terms; |
(f) | provide that, pursuant to section 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code, the issuance or exchange of any Security, assignment or surrender of any lease or sublease, and the delivery of any deed or other instrument or transfer order, in furtherance of, or in connection with the Plan shall not be subject to any stamp, real estate transfer, mortgage recording, or other similar tax; and |
(g) | be a Final Order; |
2. the Debtors shall have obtained all authorizations, consents, regulatory approvals, rulings, or documents that are necessary to implement and effectuate the Plan;
3. the Definitive Documents shall contain terms and conditions consistent in all material respects with the Plan and the Restructuring Support Agreement and shall otherwise be subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights;
4. the Exit Facility Documentation shall have been duly executed and delivered by all of the Entities that are parties thereto and all conditions precedent (other than any conditions related to the occurrence of the Effective Date) to the effectiveness of the Exit Facility shall have been satisfied or duly waived in writing in accordance with the terms of each of the Exit Facility and the closing of each of the Exit Facility shall have occurred;
54
5. the Backstop Commitment Agreement shall have been approved pursuant to the Confirmation Order and shall remain in full force and effect, all conditions shall have been satisfied thereunder, and there shall be no breach that would give rise to a right to terminate the Backstop Commitment Agreement for which notice has been given in accordance with the terms thereof (including by the requisite parties thereunder), or such notice could have been given to the extent such notice is not permitted due to the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases and the related automatic stay;
6. the final version of the Plan Supplement and all of the schedules, documents, and exhibits contained therein (and any amendment thereto) shall have been Filed in a manner consistent in all respects with the Restructuring Support Agreement and shall otherwise be subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights;
7. the Debtors shall have renegotiated and/or rejected their Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases in a manner acceptable to the Required Consenting Stakeholders;
8. the Restructuring Support Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, all conditions shall have been satisfied thereunder, and there shall be no breach that, after the expiration of any applicable notice or any cure period, would give rise to a right to terminate the Restructuring Support Agreement;
9. the Debtors and Reorganized Debtors, as applicable, shall have implemented the Restructuring Transactions in a manner consistent with the Restructuring Support Agreement (and subject to the Consenting Stakeholder Consent Rights), the Plan, and the Plan Supplement;
10. all Professional fees and expenses of retained Professionals that require the Bankruptcy Court’s approval shall have been paid in full or amounts sufficient to pay such fees and expenses afte